Apple is discontinuing the original full-size HomePod and will now focus its speaker efforts on the mini HomePod, the company said TechCrunch Friday night.
Here’s what Apple said in a statement to TechCrunch:
The HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers incredible sound, an intelligent assistant and smart home control, all for just $ 99. We are focusing our efforts on the HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod; it will remain available as long as supplies last at the Apple Online Store, Apple retail stores, and Apple authorized resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates, services and support through Apple Care.
The full-size HomePod Space Gray model is already sold out at Apple’s online store.
The full-size HomePod had great sound quality, but was criticized for its high price of $ 349 at launch. Apple ended up lowering the price to $ 299 in April 2019 and launched the $ 99 mini HomePod last year.
The change is not entirely surprising; HomePod sales have been low and, in our analysis, we feel that the HomePod mini offers good sound for its size.