What type of power cable does the HomePod mini use?

Question

Apple has released a new, smaller version of their speaker: HomePod mini.

One of my complaints with the original HomePod was its use of a proprietary power cable connector, which made it difficult to replace or shorten the cable. Most other Apple devices use industry-standard C7 "figure 8" power cables for mains wall power, or a USB-C or Lightning cable plus a power adapter.

What type of power cord does the HomePod mini use?

Answer 1

The HomePod mini was quickly opened up after release:

• https://9to5mac.com/2020/11/18/homepod-mini-teardown-reveals-nearly-impossible-repairs-and-non-removable-power-cord/

Cord details:

• 6ft Power Cord.
• Non-removable, unlike the original HomePod, which could be yanked from the unit with a hard tug.
• USB-C on the wall-end.
• Ships with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.

Answer 2

The Apple sales page does not contain a single photo of the power cord. It's as if they want you to think it doesn't have one...

I used that page's "AR" feature on my iPhone to view a virtual version of the HomePod mini on my table. I had to walk around to the other side of the table, then took a screenshot.

The AR HomePod mini appears to use the same round, proprietary, non-removable power cable as the original HomePod.

Answer 3

The cable length is six feet and it’s powered by the same small 20 W adapter as the iPad Pro ship with. Same size as the older 18 W adapter which will not work except to give an awesome safe red glow to the orb. So the mini has a cable fixed in the orb, that ends in a USB-C connector.

The adapter directly plugs into the wall 20 W USB-C adapters

The tech specs say 20 W power adapter and the published efficiencies table lists 100 / 115 / 230 V input.

• https://www.theverge.com/21561589/apple-homepod-mini-review

Two things to remember, all cords are removable and all machines generate smoke if you are sufficiently equipped and motivated.

Answer 4

I feel the need to post this as an answer, even though it's really just a frame challenge.

Late edit*
As it appears the Homepod will come with a power adaptor, the job just got even cheaper, if just as simple.
Clip the cable anywhere it will be out of sight & join with a bit of terminal block, 50p from any DIY store.

It's designed for mains voltages, but to comply with regs, would need to be encased in a supporting/insulating block for 110/240v. For low-voltage DC you can leave it in the open, or wrap in a bit of insulating tape if you're a bit paranoid wary.

You're going to need to do this to get the cable through any inconspicuous hole in your desk/wall/ceiling anyway. If the plug at one end is proprietary or even a standard small-form figure-8, it's going to be much harder to achieve, plus user-fit figure 8s are more bulky than their moulded counterparts.

Replacing a standard mains plug is little more than a 5-minute job for anyone with an elementary skill-set. It will almost certainly be a double-insulated structure, so you've only two wires to get right. Brown live, blue neutral.

Answer 5

The cord is semi (hard tug) non removable from the side of the HomePod mini. On the other side, it is a USB-C plug. HomePod mini comes with this new 20W power-adapter that has female USB-C connector: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MHJA3AM/A/20w-usb-c-power-adapter