Samsung says the Galaxy Home Mini will launch sometime in early 2020

By Shubham Agarwal Published January 7, 2020

Is 2020 the year Samsung finally brings its Bixby-powered smart speakers to the market? The South Korea-based company sure hopes so.

While Samsung’s first smart speaker, the Galaxy Home, which it announced way back in May 2018, continues to miss timelines, the manufacturer’s chief executive officer of its consumer electronics division, Hyunsuk Kim, has confirmed it plans to launch the more affordable and smaller Galaxy Home Mini sometime in early 2020.

Recommended Videos

Last year in August, Samsung began beta-testing its answer to the Google Nest Mini and Amazon Echo Mini in South Korea. The company invited Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners in its home country to apply for the beta program and share their feedback.

Samsung didn’t share a whole lot of details for the Galaxy Home Mini but we did learn a few key tidbits. Its official product images reveal a familiar fabric exterior and a much more compact form factor than the larger Galaxy Home. The device also sports a standard set of quick buttons for adjusting the volume and muting the mic, as well as a fourth key with a function that is unknown at this point.

The Galaxy Home Mini comes equipped with an AKG-branded audio technology. Of course, it plugs into Samsung’s in-house smart home ecosystem called SmartThings and will be powered by its custom digital assistant, Bixby, which allow users to operate appliances with their voice.

The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini will also reportedly won’t have to be constantly plugged in thanks to a built-in battery. Similar to Amazon’s India-exclusive Echo Portable speaker, users might be able to carry the Galaxy Home Mini around their house and employ it as a portable Bluetooth speaker.

As per Bloomberg’s report, it’s unclear whether Samsung will ever launch the Galaxy Home. After all, the speaker has faced sharp criticism primarily due to its odd and bulky design. The company has not shared any specifics on the Galaxy Home Mini either and it could be a while before it hits the shelves. It could potentially make an appearance at Samsung’s forthcoming February hardware event alongside the new Galaxy S11 line of phones.

Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

Topics

Shubham Agarwal

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad, India. His work has previously appeared in Firstpost…

Smart Home

HomePod Mini vs. Echo Dot: which is better?

Apple HomePod mini on table

The Apple HomePod Mini and Echo Dot are two of the best smart speakers of 2023. Both clock in at less than $100, offer eye-catching designs, and give you all the versatility you’d expect from top-of-the-line smart speakers. But which speaker is more deserving of a spot in your home?

Before picking up the HomePod Mini or Echo Dot, you’ll want to do a bit of research. It's hard to go wrong with either product, but one might be a slightly better fit for your household. From pricing and compatibility to sound quality and more, here’s everything you need to know about these two smart speakers.
Design

Smart Home

Samsung reveals futuristic new smart home appliances for CES 2023

A person using the new Bespoke fridge touchscreen.

The first day of CES 2023 is right around the corner, but Samsung isn't waiting to introduce the world to its new lineup of smart home appliances. Specifically, the Bespoke lineup is now on full display, with new smart refrigerators, smart ovens, and smart washers making an appearance.

Samsung’s Bespoke lineup has long been a premium choice for smart home shoppers -- and that trend looks to continue throughout this year. One of the biggest upgrades is for the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with Family Hub+, which now offers a massive 32-inch touchscreen (up from a 21.5-inch display) that’s embedded directly into its glass panel door. The screen will support the new Family Hub software, allowing you to stream your favorite shows, share photos, or check the status of connected devices.

Mobile

Samsung and Google partnership finds a shared home for SmartThings

The Google Nest Audio speaker on a table.

Matter — the interoperability protocol that will bring smart devices from different brands under a single umbrella of control — is less than a month away from its official launch. Ahead of the grand reveal, Samsung and Google have announced a partnership that adds a convenient element of interoperability to their respective smart home ecosystems.

Sounds confusing? Well, here’s the easy breakdown. Samsung, in collaboration with partner brands, sells a wide range of smart home devices, from doorbells and switches to lights and garage door openers. However, barely a few of those SmartThings gadgets worked seamlessly with Google’s Home app for controlling smart home gizmos.