Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 arrive with significant price increases

What happened

Apple has released new versions of its media and smart home hardware, including the Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini 2. These new models come with significant price increases compared to previous versions.

According to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, the price jumps are more noticeable than the new features introduced in the devices. The new Apple TV 4K is priced at $299 and comes in a single configuration with 128GB of storage and an Ethernet port [1]. This replaces the previous model that started at $129 in the U.S. before a price increase in late June [1]. Specifically, the 128GB model that previously cost $149 and rose to $249 in June is being replaced by this $299 version [1, 2].

The new HomePod mini 2 is priced at $149 [1]. This is an increase from the previous HomePod mini, which was priced at $99 [1].

Other details regarding the new hardware include:

• The Apple TV 4K now includes microphones built into the box [2].
• The Apple TV 4K features a chip upgrade [2].
• The new hardware supports a home theater setup using a pair of large HomePod speakers and a pair of the new HomePod mini 2 speakers, a setup that would cost $1,300 [2].
• Apple also has a new smart display called HomeView, which is priced at $299 [2].

Gruber noted that the cost of a specific setup—one Apple TV 4K and two HomePod mini speakers—has risen from nearly $350 before late June to $600 with the new models [1]. He stated that while the new Apple TV 4K is “worth it” to him and the HomePod mini 2 price is “reasonable,” the price difference is more striking than the improved features [1].

Who is affected

Apple users looking to upgrade their home theater or smart home setups are affected by these price changes. 9to5Mac noted that the $299 price for the Apple TV 4K positions it as specialized hardware rather than a basic way to add streaming apps to a television, especially since 4K LED TVs with built-in apps can be purchased for $299 [2]. Gruber mentioned that the general consumer market previously thought older prices were too high, and these new increases follow those previous hikes [1].