The original HomePod mini is excluded from Siri AI, Apple told 9to5Mac. Graphic: MacDigest.
The original HomePod mini will not receive Siri AI, according to Apple’s confirmation to 9to5Mac. Buyers considering discounted or used units should judge the 2020 model on its existing features, without expecting the new assistant to arrive through a software update.
The clarification follows an earlier CNET report suggesting older minis would gain Siri AI. In its October 14 story, 9to5Mac says CNET corrected that claim and Apple separately confirmed the exclusion.
What original mini owners still have
Apple’s current specifications for the original mini continue to list Siri, AirPlay, stereo pairing, and Home app and HomeKit support. The report does not announce their removal. Those listings also do not establish how long Apple will keep updating the speaker.
If those features meet your needs, this news alone does not create an immediate replacement deadline. When shopping remaining stock or a used unit, check the generation explicitly. A discount may make the original useful as a speaker or home accessory, but it does not change Siri AI eligibility.
Mini 2’s update still has no date
Apple says HomePod mini 2 will get Siri AI through a future free software update. It has not announced a date for that update. October 30 is the new hardware’s availability date, and the release’s reference to HomePod software 27.2 does not promise Siri AI at that point.
For buyers whose main reason to upgrade is the new assistant, waiting for its release and independent testing would make the decision easier to assess. Our Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 upgrade guide covers the broader hardware and home-theater differences.
