Audio · Retina & Beyond · 2018
HomePod
A premium smart speaker that sounded genuinely fantastic. It used the A8 and microphones to map the room and steer audio off the walls, but Siri and the price held it back.
Apple’s first smart speaker, with room-sensing spatial audio.
HomePod mini (2020)
HomePod: key facts
When was the HomePod released?
The HomePod arrived on February 9, 2018. Apple discontinued it in March 2021.
How much did the HomePod cost?
The HomePod launched at $349 in 2018, about $436 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A8 at 1.50 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, Touch-sensitive top with light show display.
Why does the HomePod matter?
Apple’s first smart speaker, with room-sensing spatial audio.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A8 · 1.50 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | Touch-sensitive top with light show |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | Power |
| Weight | 2.5 kg |
| Dimensions | Mesh-wrapped cylinder |
| Operating system | audioOS / HomePod software |
| Released | February 9, 2018 |
| Discontinued | March 2021 |
| Launch price | $349 |
How the HomePod compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 16× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.50 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.1× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $349 in 2018, about $436 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Early units left faint white rings on some wooden tables, a brief PR headache.
Related Audio models
Open the HomePod in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11