Apple is famous for their iPhone, iPad, Macbook series or their Apple watches. However, in 2018 Apple entered the smart speaker market with their ‘Apple Homepod’. Is the company that leads the smartphone market ready to enter the smart speaker market?
Apple’s Smart Speakers in a Nutshell
| Features | Homepod (1st Generation) | Homepod (2nd Generation) | Homepod Mini |
| Release Date | February 2018 | February 2023 | November 2020 |
| Speakers | 7 tweeters | 5 tweeters | Full range driver + two passive radiators |
| Microphones | 6 | 4 | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5 | ||
| Dimensions | 170mm x 140mm | 168mm x 140mm | 84mm x 99mm |
| Colours | Gray or White | Black or White | Black, Blue, Yellow, White or Orange |
| Release Price | $349 | $299 | $99 |
Apple Homepod (1st Generation, 2018)
The first generation of Apple Homepod was launched in February 2018. The first generation had a cylindrical shape with a touchscreen on the top. In terms of audio, the device had seven tweeters and a 10 cm woofer. It also had six microphones to help understand the voice commands. Even though the first generation of the Apple Homepod had more tweeters than the Amazon Echo or Nest Audio, the feedback was mixed. The audio quality had room for improvement.
Additionally, the smart speaker lacks support for third party services and can only be controlled with another Apple device. More importantly, Apple Homepod uses Siri, which has limited functionality compared to Alexa or Google Assistant.
As Apple faced this criticism, they discontinued the product in March 2021. The product was still sold as long as supplies were available and customers would be supported with software updates.
Apple Homepod (2nd generation, 2023)
The Homepod received another chance by releasing a second generation in 2023. Was the market entry successful this time?
Design
In terms of design, there have not been many changes to the first generation. The size is similar to the first generation (2 mm smaller). The main change is that the size of the screen has become bigger and volume adjustment buttons have been integrated. Additionally, Apple added a detachable plug. This gives more flexibility to position the Homepod around furniture. This was a needed improvement from the first generation.
Audio
Even though two microphones have been removed from the first generation, the Homepod still performs as well as their first generation. Whether music is being played or there are other loud background noises, the Homepod will still respond to your audio commands.
The second generation also has two fewer tweeters, but the sound quality is still of similar quality than the first generation. The sound performance could be better: the mids and highs still tend to be muddy and not as clear, which does limit the audio quality of the new Homepod.
Smart Home Hub
The Apple Homepod uses Siri as a voice assistant, which performs really well in recognising up to six different voices and giving personalised responses to each. The Homepod can also be connected with HomeKit, which is Apple’s smart home platform. Nonetheless, only Apple devices can be used to set up the Homepod and to control it.
Similar to competitors like Amazon, Apple also decided to launch a smaller version of the Apple Homepod.
Apple Homepod Mini
The Homepod mini is a smaller and less expensive version of the Homepod.
Advantages of the Homepod Mini
Design
The design of this Apple smart speaker is once more stunning. It is only 8.4 cm tall and has a touchscreen at the top that lights up when touched or Siri is being used. The small size makes it fit into any shelf easily. Visually, the Homepod Mini has a lot in common with the Amazon Echo Dot and could be mistaken for the Amazon product.
Audio
The audio is very similar to the Homepod, which is surprising, since the size of the Homepod Mini is significantly smaller. The mini consists of four microphones from which one faces inwards to isolate sounds from the speaker. This helps to recognise and understand your voice when you give commands. The Homepod Mini scans the environment by detecting soundwaves bouncing around. This helps to improve the quality of the audio output.
Compared to the Homepod, the Homepod Mini lacks spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and has three microphones less, which explain the differences in sound quality.
If you have two Apple Homepods, then you have the choice. You can either play different songs on them simultaneously or you can stereo pair them in the same room for better quality. Finally, the Mini can be paired with AppleTV to improve sound quality of any movie you are watching.
Smart Home Hub
In terms of home automation, the Mini can perform all tasks of the Apple Homepod.
Disadvantages of the Apple Homepod (Mini)
As with all Apple products, the Homepod (£299) and Homepod Mini (£99) have been positioned at the premium end. A different pricing strategy would not align with Apple’s branding and brand image.
Additionally, the smart speaker uses the voice assistant Siri, which can not be compared to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. The speakers lack connectivity to external devices. I do not possess any Apple products, which limits my ability to use the Amazon speakers. Apple creates their own world by limiting connectivity of their devices to Apple products only. You can only stream from an external source via airplay. This also means that Apple Homepod/ Homepod Mini is incompatible with major streaming platforms such as Spotify.
Additionally, the Homepod is three times as expensive than the 4th Generation of Amazon Echo or Google Nest Audio and twice the price of an Amazon Echo Studio. All competitors outperform Apple with sound quality, especially the Amazon Echo Studio.
Are Apple Smart Speakers worth it?
If you are a ride or die Apple fan then the Homepod Mini is recommended, as it is significantly cheaper than the Homepod. The only differences between Apple’s speakers are found within the sound quality. But if true premium sound quality is important to you, then the Amazon Echo 5th Generation or Google Nest Audio is recommended.
It belongs to the harsh reality that Apple is outperformed by its competitors and that the Homepod and Homepod Mini are products for people living in the Apple Cosmos that enjoy the Apple interface. In short, competitors from Google, Amazon or Sonos are cheaper and better.