Skip to main content

The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini is finally set to be released

The first mention of Samsung’s Galaxy Home smart speaker came all the way back in August 2018, but the device never made it onto store shelves. After multiple delays, you might finally be able to buy one for yourself – – maybe. The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini is slated to launch on February 12 in South Korea, a full two years after the initial announcement of Samsung’s entry into the smart speaker market.

Rumors have circulated about whether Samsung will launch the product in other markets. Samsung would be competing in a crowded market dominated by Amazon and Google here in the U.S., so it’s poised to be an uphill battle right from the jump.  The concern is that Samsung’s dominance over the South Korean market makes the smart speaker a more attractive prospect there than it might be elsewhere.

Still, the speaker has quite a lot going for it. One standout feature is the inclusion of an infrared function that allows it to control older appliances that cannot connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The IR functionality is interesting, but it does limit placement of the Galaxy Home Mini; the smart speaker will need to be within view of any appliance its connected to via infrared.

The Galaxy Home Mini will also have AKG speakers, built-in voice control through the Bixby voice assistant, and smart home connectivity. It will offer users an alternative to the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Home smart speakers. The estimated price upon release is roughly $85 U.S. based on a conversion of South Korean won to U.S. dollars. When and if the device is announced for American markets, a more firm price point will be given.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the Galaxy Home Mini looks like a generic smart speaker. It’s larger sibling, the not-yet-released Galaxy Home, is more striking, with three silver legs that give it the appearance of an egg-shaped spaceship.

It’s good to see the Samsung Galaxy Home Mini finally receiving a release almost a year after the initial planned release of April 2019. The release of the Galaxy Home Mini before the Galaxy Home is strange, but the market is poised to welcome more competition in the world of smart speakers.

Editors' Recommendations

Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
Your Google smart home devices just got a lot less talkative
A person standing in a living room while looking at a Google device.

Smart assistants are an indispensable part of any smart home, making it easy to give hands-free commands and control a variety of gadgets. Google is looking to further streamline the performance of its smart assistant, with the expansion of chime alerts to cut down on how talkative your Google Nest gadgets are when responding to instructions.

For example, after asking Google to turn on a fan, you’ll now be able to hear a quick chime to confirm the assistant has heard your instructions. Previously, confirmation would come in the form of a short sentence, such as “OK, turning on your fan.”

Read more
The 5 weirdest smart home gadgets of 2023
The Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet

Smart home gadgets come in all shapes and sizes -- but some are undoubtedly weirder than others. Video doorbells, security cameras, and smart thermostats are common in 2023, but did you know there’s such a thing as a smart toilet? Or how about a smart fork?

Here’s a look at five of the weirdest smart home gadgets of 2023. Some of them are surprisingly useful -- and might make a worthy addition to the right household.
Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet

Read more
Is an air quality monitor worth adding to your home?
The Govee Smart Air Quality Monitor sitting on a wooden stand.

Spring is upon us, bringing with it warmer weather, blooming trees -- and heaps of pollen. This time of year can be tough for people with seasonal allergies, and it also brings the start of wildfire season for folks out west. Air purifiers are a great way to keep your home clean from all these airborne particulates, but what about air quality monitors? Are they worth adding to your home?

Here’s a closer look at air quality monitors, what they can offer, things to consider when shopping for one, and if they’re truly worth the investment.
What is an air quality monitor?

Read more