Apple might reveal the HomePod Mini alongside new iPhone 12 on October 13

Reports claim that besides the new iPhone 12 models, Apple could also announce the HomePod Mini.

Apple could announce the HomePod Mini at the Apple Event on October 13.  (Twitter)

The Apple iPhone 12 models are coming on October 13, that we know for certain, but a new leak has suggested that a few other products might be announced that day. Particularly the HomePod Mini.

The Apple HomePod Mini, as the tipster @Lovetodream indicates, is not a replacement for the current HomePod model that Apple has, it should just be a smaller version. “There is no HomePod2 this year, only have mini one” - reads the tipster's tweet.

there is no HomePod2 this year
only have mini one

— 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream) October 7, 2020

The HomePod is Apple's smartspeaker that comes with exceptional audio quality, however, since its launch in February 2018, analysts have reported that sales have been disappointing, writes Forbes.

Disappointing sales figures could be due to the $349 price tag which was eventually brought down to $299. That still made the Apple HomePod more expensive that the other smartspeakers in the market.

Going by that, it's possible that the HomePod Mini is going to come with a considerably lower price point so as this particular market can be opened up to more people.

The bigger question though is - will the HomePod Mini, if that is indeed the name Apple decides on, be able to match up to the audio prowess of the bigger version? Given the emphasis Apple puts on audio, stressing that they do not want to make a smartspeaker unless it sounds amazing - great audio should also be a given on the HomePod Mini.

And it should also sit in the range along with the current HomePod and connect with other HomePods to create a multi-room speaker system.

If the leak on this is correct and Apple reveals the new HomePod on Tuesday, the timing will be quite right. Apple will be going up against significant competition right now in the smartspeaker domain. Google just announced the Google Nest Audio (that retails for $99).

Apple's HomePod Mini will definitely cost more than $100, but it remains to be seen exactly how much more.