New HomePod Mini on the Horizon? Widespread Shortages at Retailers Signal Imminent Refresh

Signs are pointing towards an imminent update for Apple's HomePod mini, as multiple third-party retailers are experiencing widespread stock shortages. A report from tech outlet MacRumors on November 11th highlighted that retailers such as B&H, Adorama, Target, and Best Buy are showing clear signals that a new generation of the smart speaker is on its way.

The most telling evidence comes from the product retailer B&H, which has officially marked the HomePod mini as “discontinued” on its website. This status applies to all color variants of the device, and the company is no longer accepting orders for it.

New HomePod Mini

This inventory crunch is not an isolated incident. The stock shortages have spread across several other major retail channels. The Adorama website lists the HomePod mini as being on backorder, while retailers like Target and Best Buy have already sold out of certain colors. This pattern suggests a coordinated winding down of the current model's supply.

Furthermore, online inventory at other major stores, including Walmart and Staples, has also been depleted. Interestingly, while third-party channels are running dry, Apple's official store continues to sell all models as usual. According to the report, this is a common occurrence during the transitional period just before a new product is launched, allowing Apple to clear out existing channel inventory.

New HomePod Mini

These retail-level inventory changes lend significant weight to previous rumors about a new HomePod mini. Citing a report from Bloomberg, Apple is believed to be developing a next-generation HomePod mini, with a potential release as early as this month or by the end of 2025. The reduction in channel stock is seen as a classic strategy by Apple to prepare for the launch of a new product.

According to existing leaks, the upgrades for the next-generation HomePod mini will primarily focus on internal performance. The new model is expected to feature a more powerful S-series chip and, for the first time, an N1 networking chip. This new hardware aims to improve connection stability and the efficiency of how the device works with other products. However, no changes are expected for the external design, though Apple may introduce a new range of color options to attract consumers.

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