Apple Discontinues Full-Sized HomePod to Focus on HomePod Mini

Apple has discontinued the standard HomePod to focus exclusively on the HomePod mini, reports TechCrunch. First introduced four years ago, Apple's larger ‌HomePod‌ has never sold well because of its high price tag.

HomePodandMini feature
Apple hoped that the ‌HomePod‌'s high-quality sound would give it an edge over competing products, but sales of the ‌HomePod‌ have always been lackluster with so many more affordable options on the market. Apple has been selling the ‌HomePod‌ for $299, but it was originally priced at $350. The ‌HomePod mini‌ is available for $99.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ offers all of the features of the ‌HomePod‌ in a smaller and less expensive package. Many reviews praised the HomePod mini for its sound quality relative to its size, and while it won't quite match the sound available from the ‌HomePod‌, it features the same Siri integration, Apple Music support, and HomeKit controls.

In a statement, Apple said that the ‌HomePod‌ will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store and Apple retail stores.

HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care.

On Thursday, many tech sites noticed that the full-sized space gray ‌HomePod‌ was out of stock in the United States, but it was believed to be just a stock shortage. As it turns out, it was because Apple no longer plans to sell the ‌HomePod‌.

The space gray ‌HomePod‌ can likely be purchased from third-party retailers, but it is no longer available from Apple, while the ‌HomePod‌ in white continues to be available for purchase as of right now.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

Runs For Fun Avatar
41 months ago
Not a good move IMO. The HomePod sounds way, way better than the Mini and not having a high quality audio option is going to hurt.
Score: 113 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zahuh Avatar
41 months ago
RIP big guy. Tell iPod Hi-Fi we said hi!
Score: 94 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacBird Avatar
41 months ago
That is unfortunate, I have two stereo pairs and really like them.
Score: 83 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JamonBull Avatar
41 months ago
This is sad. Devastating for me really. I have a stereo pair attached to my TV and couldn't be happier with the sound quality and the way they work with my Apple TV 4K. I don't understand why Apple don't just keep them around and update the internals. I absolutely love being able to play, pause, rewind, raise and lower volume etc. using Siri on my HomePods. It's a sad day!
Score: 63 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsareveryinteresting Avatar
41 months ago
Why would they discontinue the HomePod when they just rolled out with Dolby Atmos. The HomePod is the only one with the theater sound is the HomePod. That’s not a very smart move on Apples part.
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomtendo Avatar
41 months ago
Terrible decision IF true. I have 2 HomePod Minis and 2 HomePod [regulars]. I use them daily.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

Tuesday April 23, 2024 7:11 am PDT by
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
Apple Vision Pro Dual Loop Band Orange Feature 2

Apple Cuts Vision Pro Shipments as Demand Falls 'Sharply Beyond Expectations'

Tuesday April 23, 2024 9:44 am PDT by
Apple has dropped the number of Vision Pro units that it plans to ship in 2024, going from an expected 700 to 800k units to just 400k to 450k units, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Orders have been scaled back before the Vision Pro has launched in markets outside of the United States, which Kuo says is a sign that demand in the U.S. has "fallen sharply beyond expectations." As a...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

iOS 17.5 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday April 21, 2024 3:00 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 17.5 update for the iPhone includes only a few new user-facing features, but hidden code changes reveal some additional possibilities. Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta so far. Web Distribution Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU...
iPad And Calculator App Feature

Apple Finally Plans to Release a Calculator App for iPad Later This Year

Tuesday April 23, 2024 9:08 am PDT by
Apple is finally planning a Calculator app for the iPad, over 14 years after launching the device, according to a source familiar with the matter. iPadOS 18 will include a built-in Calculator app for all iPad models that are compatible with the software update, which is expected to be unveiled during the opening keynote of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC on June 10. AppleInsider...
iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven

Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

Sunday April 21, 2024 6:03 am PDT by
Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Kosutami has revealed...
apple vision pro orange

Apple Vision Pro Customer Interest Dying Down at Some Retail Stores

Monday April 22, 2024 2:12 am PDT by
Apple Vision Pro, Apple's $3,500 spatial computing device, appears to be following a pattern familiar to the AR/VR headset industry – initial enthusiasm giving way to a significant dip in sustained interest and usage. Since its debut in the U.S. in February 2024, excitement for the Apple Vision Pro has noticeably cooled, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...