Apple HomePod vs. Apple HomePod 2023 - Digital Trends

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Jon Bitner

By Jon Bitner January 25, 2023 5:00PM

It has been rather a fewer years since Apple archetypal launched the (now-defunct) HomePod, but the aged astute talker has been fixed a revival. The second procreation HomePod retails for $299, and it offers immoderate superior improvements implicit the original. Not lone does it bring enhanced audio quality, but determination are plentifulness of different upgrades that marque it overmuch amended than its older sibling. Here’s a person look astatine each the differences (and similarities) betwixt the archetypal HomePod and HomePod 2023.

Design

When compared broadside by side, you won’t announcement galore differences betwixt the 2 HomePods. The caller HomePod is astir 200 grams lighter than the archetypal exemplary and is simply a mates of millimeters shorter, but wide the 2 are precise similar. The touchpad connected apical of the HomePod 2023 is besides a spot larger and present extends astir each the mode to the borderline of the device. Beyond those insignificant differences, they some athletics an oblong plan and travel successful aggregate colors.

Speakers and sound

Diagram of the internals of the 2nd and first-gen Apple HomePods side-by-side.

The archetypal HomePod sounded large — and its successor sounds adjacent better. With a 4-inch high-excursion woofer, 5 horn-loaded tweeters, and enactment for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, Apple is positioning this to beryllium 1 of the best-sounding astute speakers connected the market. It’s besides moving the S7 chip, which should assistance it utilize room-sensing exertion to optimize its performance.

Siri and astute features

Matter is the tech to ticker successful 2023, and Apple made definite the caller HomePod supports the interoperability standard. That means you’ll beryllium capable to link your HomePod with thing other that supports Matter — a database that continues to turn larger each week.

Like the outgoing HomePod, this 1 besides features Siri support. You tin springiness it a wide assortment of commands to transportation out, and since the astute talker is built with 4 almighty microphones, it’ll perceive your commands large and clear. It tin besides perceive fume oregon c monoxide alarms and nonstop notifications to your smartphone. And conscionable similar the cheaper HomePod mini, the HomePod comes with a temperature and humidity sensor.

Rounding retired its database of notable features is enactment for Ultra Wideband, which volition let the HomePod 2023 to observe and rapidly sync with the remainder of your astute home.

Apple TV compatibility

Apple HomePod second-gen successful a stereo pair.

The caller HomePod is compatible with Apple TV, and it tin stock contented with different products successful the Apple room (such arsenic iPhone oregon iPad). So, if you person immoderate of those devices lying astir your home, picking up the HomePod could beryllium a large prime arsenic it’ll easy integrate with your existing setup.