The differences between the first and the second HomePod are not obvious. We take stock of the new features brought by the second generation HomePod.
Apple will have taken the time. More than five years after the announcement of the first generation of HomePod connected speakers, the American manufacturer unveiled its second generation, the HomePod 2, on Tuesday. The speaker had had a long life, with the release in the meantime of ‘a variation’ mini and even a halt in sales, given the low commercial success encountered in 2021.
If this new HomePod 2 seems to rise from the dead as it was launched years after the first version, it does however bring some new features. If these do not jump to the eyes at first glance, they are nevertheless very notable. In this article, we will therefore take stock of the differences between the first and second generation HomePods.
A lighter and lower HomePod 2
At first glance, the two generations of HomePod seem identical. However, on closer inspection, the HomePod 2 is a little lighter and more compact than the first version. Even if it may seem trivial, we are now dealing with a high speaker of 168 mm – against 172 mm for the first version – and heavy of 2.3 kg – against 2.5 kg.
On the upper side, we will nevertheless find the same tactile surface for both models with controls for pausing the music or changing tracks, and sensitive buttons to increase or decrease the volume. However, while the surface was at tissue level mesh on the first version, it is here located a little below, in a hollow.
Neither speaker is battery operated, so you will need to power them from the mains for them to work.
A more sober acoustic architecture on the new model
Apple has reshuffled its cards for the acoustic architecture of its HomePod from one generation to another. If the 2017 version took advantage of seven tweeters and a long-range woofer, the new version is more sober. Apple took over a 4-inch woofer for the bass, but settled for five horn tweeters for the treble.
On the side of the microphones too, it’s the end of abundance. The new HomePod integrates four for the voice assistant Siri, against six on the first version. We will also find the same analysis functions of the room by beam formation and audio multi-room with AirPlay. This is also the case for stereo pairing, already available on the first version and again on the HomePod 2.
Nevertheless, the HomePod 2 stands out from its predecessor by supporting Dolby Atmos formats. It must be said that Apple has been putting the package for several months on spatial audio. This integration should not only allow you to enjoy better spatialization for films and series, but also compatibility with spatial audio on Apple Music.
Functions designed for the connected home
Connected speaker requires, the first generation of HomePod was obviously compatible with HomeKit. However, the second generation goes further, since the HomePod 2 also benefits from full compatibility with the open Matter standard. This will therefore make it possible to manage the speaker in ecosystems other than that of Apple.
In addition, as was already the case with the HomePod mini launched in 2020, the HomePod 2 benefits from several sensors which could allow it to take pride of place in a connected home. In addition to the sound aspect, the enclosure incorporates temperature and humidity sensors. If Apple has not yet communicated on the uses related to these sensors, we can perfectly imagine in the long term thermometer functions linked to a connected thermostat to automatically regulate the heating in your home.
Finally, Apple indicates that the sound recognition of the new HomePod will allow it to recognize certain characteristic sounds. This is particularly the case for the alarm of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. The speaker will then be able to notify you through the Home app on your iPhone.
Same price
For its launch, the HomePod 2 is available at a price of 349 euros in France. This is the same price as announced in 2017 at the launch of the first generation. What push our colleagues toNumeramato affirm that “Apple did not understand the price problem“. Remember that if Apple ended the marketing of the first HomePod in 2021, it was because it was not selling well enough. Above all, the firm now offers a much cheaper speaker, the HomePod mini, available at a price of 109 euros.
Still, the differences between the two generations are rather thin and are still struggling to justify a price as high as that which caused the failure of the first generation. The HomePod mini is still there, still at the same price, and also offers certain functions identical to those of the HomePod 2 such as the temperature sensor, sound recognition or stereo and multiroom audio.
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