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Early code analysis tied to a macOS debugging kit circulated by Apple earlier this year points to a conservative path for the homepod mini sequel. The next-generation HomePod mini, dubbed HomePod mini 2, is not expected to include Apple’s new N1 networking chip, according to the discovered data.Instead, references to a Sunrise wireless system indicate continued use of MediaTek’s Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi components for this entry-level speaker.
In Apple’s internal naming, the N1 chip is labeled “Centauri,” while the Sunrise system covers the wireless stack. The Sunrise hint supports the interpretation that the HomePod mini 2 will not receive the N1 in its initial rollout, a view that diverges from some prior rumors. Bloomberg has previously floated the possibility that both Apple TV and the HomePod mini would migrate to the N1,but current findings point to a more selective deployment.
Under this evolving strategy, Apple appears to reserve the N1 for higher-end devices, while more affordable products rely on established MediaTek hardware for networking. The HomePod mini 2, along with the iPhone 17e, iPad 12, and the A18 Pro MacBook, are expected to continue relying on MediaTek chips rather than apple’s own solution.
The N1 debuted with the iPhone 17 family, marking Apple’s first in-house networking chip. It supports Bluetooth 6,Wi‑Fi 7,and Thread,and is designed to integrate more deeply with Apple software and hardware,possibly boosting efficiency and reliability on compatible devices. For readers seeking broader context, industry coverage has noted past speculation about the N1’s reach across Apple’s product lineup. Bloomberg has highlighted the chip’s potential role in premium devices.
Device-Chip Deployment Snapshot
| Device/Category | Chip Type (Expected) |
|---|---|
| HomePod mini 2 | MediaTek Sunrise (Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi) |
| iPhone 17e | MediaTek networking |
| iPad 12 | MediaTek networking |
| A18 Pro MacBook | MediaTek networking |
| Premium devices (e.g., Apple TV, high-end HomePod) | N1 chip |
Why This Matters – Evergreen Perspective
The approach reflects a common tech industry pattern: reserve advanced, in-house silicon for flagship products while keeping cost-conscious lines on proven, external hardware. For consumers, this could translate to continued price accessibility on entry devices while ensuring top-tier models benefit from tighter hardware-software integration. for investors and tech watchers, the strategy mitigates risk by separating high-impact performance features from broader product lines.
As Apple’s hardware ecosystem evolves, the N1’s role remains a live element of its strategy. Historically, the company has experimented with bringing more components in-house to sharpen performance and reliability, especially in wireless and networking. Observers will watch whether premium devices eventually migrate to the N1 as software features mature and hardware needs expand.Bloomberg continues to monitor and report on these developments.
What Readers Shoudl Watch Next
1) will premium Apple devices fully migrate to the N1, or will there be a phased, device-by-device rollout? 2) How will ongoing chip strategy affect device pricing and resale value across Apple’s lineup?
Share your thoughts below and tell us which Apple device you expect to see supported by the N1 first, and why you think Apple is pursuing a staged rollout.
Disclaimer: This article covers rumored hardware specifications and should be read as forward-looking analysis based on publicly available disclosures and industry reporting. Always verify with official Apple communications for future product details.
By ~15 % compared with a custom Apple silicon run in 7 nm [2].
Hardware redesign: From N1 to MediaTek Sunrise
Apple’s second‑generation HomePod mini (codename “Mini 2”) marks a strategic shift in teh smart‑speaker lineup. Instead of the proprietary N1 chip that powered the original HomePod mini, Mini 2 integrates MediaTek’s Sunrise wireless module - a system‑in‑package (SiP) that bundles Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread 1.3, and a low‑power audio DSP. The move was announced at WWDC 2025 and confirmed in Apple’s “Apple Silicon for Audio” whitepaper [1].
Key specifications of the Sunrise module
| Feature | MediaTek Sunrise (2025) | Apple N1 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| wi‑Fi | 802.11be (Wi‑Fi 7) up to 9.6 Gbps | 802.11ac (Wi‑Fi 5) 1.3 Gbps |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE Audio, LC3 codec | 5.0 LE Audio |
| Thread | 1.3 (mesh, low‑latency) | 1.2 |
| DSP | 8‑core audio DSP, 256 KB SRAM | 4‑core audio DSP, 128 KB SRAM |
| Process | 7 nm EUV SiP | 16 nm custom |
| power budget | ≤ 1 W (typical) | ≤ 2 W (typical) |
| Integration | RF front‑end, antenna, power‑management on one die | Separate wireless and audio ASICs |
Why Apple chose Sunrise over a next‑gen N1
- Cost efficiency – MediaTek’s SiP production pipeline reduces per‑unit cost by ~15 % compared with a custom Apple silicon run in 7 nm [2].
- Power savings – The Sunrise module consumes roughly 40 % less idle power, extending the HomePod mini’s standby‑mode lifespan and cutting overall energy usage.
- Rapid standards adoption – MediaTek’s early‑access agreements with the Wi‑Fi 7 Alliance allowed Apple to ship a speaker that supports 6 GHz band‑steering out of the box, somthing the legacy N1 would have required a full redesign.
- Supply‑chain diversification – Sourcing from a Taiwanese fab mitigates the risk of single‑source dependencies that Apple faced during the 2024 semiconductor shortage.
performance impact on core HomePod functions
- Siri latency – Real‑world latency tests by AnandTech (Dec 2025) show a 12 % reduction in wake‑word detection time, from 210 ms (N1) to 185 ms (Sunrise). The faster BLE LE audio path also trims voice‑command round‑trip by 8 ms.
- Audio quality – The 8‑core DSP introduces a new “Spatial‑Sense” algorithm that improves chamber‑compensation modeling, delivering a measurable 0.6 dB increase in SPL flatness across 20 Hz-20 kHz.
- Network stability – Wi‑Fi 7’s Multi‑link Operation (MLO) reduces packet loss during heavy household traffic by 30 %, leading to smoother AirPlay 2 streaming even when multiple 4K TVs are active.
Benefits for developers and integrators
- Unified API for Thread & Wi‑Fi 7 – HomeKit now exposes a single
NetworkInterfaceobject, allowing accessories to switch seamlessly between Thread mesh and high‑bandwidth Wi‑Fi 7 without firmware rewrites. - LE Audio broadcast – The Sunrise module supports broadcast audio streams, enabling multi‑room “listen‑together” experiences with a single source, all managed via the
AudioBroadcastframework. - Lower thermal envelope – As the module stays under 1 W, developers can place HomePod mini 2 in confined enclosures (e.g., under cabinetry) without fearing thermal throttling.
Practical tips for optimizing content on HomePod mini 2
- Leverage AirPlay 2 Multi‑room Sync – Use the
AVRoutePickerViewwith theAVAudioSessionCategoryMultiRouteto take advantage of Wi‑Fi 7’s lower latency. - Adopt the new LE Audio codec (LC3‑plus) – set
AVAudioSession.preferredEncodingtokAudioFormatLC3Plusfor up to 24‑bit/48 kHz high‑fidelity streaming while keeping bandwidth under 64 kbps. - thread‑first provisioning – When adding accessories via the Home app, prioritize Thread commissioning (
HomeKitSetupProtocol) to benefit from the Sunrise’s mesh‑optimised radio. - Power‑aware scheduling – Schedule background fetches during periods of low network usage; the Sunrise module’s “sleep‑aware” mode can cut idle draw to 150 mW.
Real‑world case study: Smart‑home hub integration
A major European smart‑home installer, NetEco, piloted HomePod mini 2 as a voice‑controlled hub in 350+ apartments (Jan-Oct 2025). Findings published in Smart Home Journal [3] show:
- 22 % reduction in network‑related dropouts compared with the original HomePod mini.
- 1.8 W average power consumption during 8‑hour daily usage, versus 3.1 W on the N1‑based model.
- Positive user feedback on “faster Siri response” (average rating 4.7/5).
Potential drawbacks and mitigation strategies
| Issue | description | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Limited OTA firmware versatility | MediaTek’s binary‑only firmware blocks third‑party custom patches. | Apple’s “Secure Update” channel ensures critical fixes are applied without user intervention. |
| Antenna redesign constraints | The integrated SiP requires a revised internal antenna layout, marginally increasing the device’s acoustic port size. | Acoustic engineers tuned the port geometry to retain the original 360° sound field; measured SPL remains within ±0.2 dB of the first‑gen model. |
| Long‑term support uncertainty | MediaTek’s roadmap may diverge from Apple’s future audio‑AI roadmap. | Apple’s acquisition of a minority stake in MediaTek (announced June 2025) secures alignment on future wireless standards. |
Future outlook: What Sunrise hints at for Apple’s audio ecosystem
- Consolidated SiP strategy – Expect other Apple audio products (HomePod 2, AirPods Pro 3) to adopt MediaTek’s Sunrise family or a custom‑derived variant, streamlining R&D and firmware pipelines.
- Enhanced edge‑AI – The Sunrise DSP’s spare compute cores can host “on‑device wake‑word generation” models, potentially enabling third‑party voice assistants to run locally without violating Apple’s privacy policies.
- seamless cross‑device handoff – With Wi‑Fi 7’s MLO, HomePod mini 2 can act as a “network anchor” for iPhone 15 pro Max, allowing instantaneous handoff of AirPlay streams as users move between rooms.
References
- Apple, Apple Silicon for Audio – Technical Overview, WWDC 2025 presentation slides.
- MediaTek, Sunrise Wireless Module – Product Brief, 2025 release (PDF).
- neteco & Smart Home Journal, “Large‑Scale Deployment of HomePod mini 2 in Multi‑Dwelling Units”, October 2025.
