The HomePod mini is not officially available in the Netherlands. Of course there are ways to buy this smart speaker anyway. In this handy overview we explain step-by-step how you can best (and fastest) get a HomePod mini.
Where can you buy the HomePod mini?
The pre-order of the latest HomePod mini started on November 6 and will be released on November 16. On the first day of the presale, there was a big run on the smart speaker. This may mean that in some countries, including Germany, the delivery time is between four to six weeks.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, the HomePod mini, like its larger predecessor, is not officially available. So you have to go abroad to get your hands on Apple’s smart speaker.
Since we are now dealing with a global pandemic, we do not recommend traveling abroad. Fortunately, there are also other (digital) roads that lead to the proverbial Rome.
Buy HomePod mini in France or Germany
The closest countries that do have the HomePod mini officially on the shelves are France and Germany. Traveling to these countries is not recommended at the moment. Without a corona crisis, you could simply take a trip to a French or German Apple Store.
Apple Store
Now ordering online is the only option. You must have a local delivery address at the Apple Store. No own address or family / friends across the border? Then you can possibly enable a parcel forwarding service, such as Forward2me, Parcl and Weshipit.
These companies receive your package and then forward it to your address in the Netherlands. Of course you pay a fee for this. This surcharge varies between 30 and 40 euros.
Foreign web shops
The German retail chain Gravis does deliver to the Netherlands and Belgium. For an extra tenner, the HomePod will be delivered directly to your home. The disadvantage is that you cannot immediately benefit from Apple’s pre-order. So you will have to be patient until the HomePod mini is also available in third-party stores. The regular HomePod, on the other hand, can already be ordered directly.
Dutch web shops
The HomePod (mini) is also appearing on the Dutch market. Not via official roads, but via gray import. Belsimpel is a reliable example. They import and sell Apple’s HomePod. It is expected that the HomePod mini will also become available here in the long run. When and at what price is still the question. So be sure to keep an eye on our Apple HomePod price comparator to score the best deal the fastest.
There are also traders on Marktplaats and Bol.com who offer copies with a hefty surcharge, but we do not recommend buying them. You are then more expensive than necessary.
Also when importing via Dutch web shops, fans of the HomePod mini still have to be patient until after the presale.
Does a foreign HomePod mini speak Dutch?
No, unfortunately, the HomePod does not (yet) work with Dutch voice control. Languages are still being added to the smart speaker, but there are no details about Dutch yet. At the moment you have to speak a word across the border: English, German, French or Spanish. Fortunately, the installation process is available in Dutch.
What should I do if my HomePod mini breaks?
In Europe there is a legal warranty of two years on electronics. If you buy the HomePod outside of Europe, you get a one-year standard warranty, which you can extend for $ 39 with AppleCare +.
If the HomePod breaks, you will have to return to a country where the HomePod mini is officially sold. No parts of the HomePod (mini) are available in the Dutch Apple Stores.
Do I have to pay import costs?
Within the European Union you can freely trade goods, but this does not apply to countries outside the European Union. If you buy a HomePod mini in Germany or France, you do not have to pay any import costs. With a HomePod mini from the countries you also immediately have a copy with a European plug, so you do not need an adapter.
HomePod mini or the regular HomePod: which one is right for me?
Not sure between Apple’s two smart speakers? For all doubts and rational considerations, we wrote a handy overview article with the five differences between the small and large Apple speaker.
November is living month on iPhone
Throughout November, your favorite Apple website will be all about (smart) living. From the differences between HomeKit and Google Home, the best accessories for your smart garden to how to bring the HomePod mini to the Netherlands: a lot of topics are discussed.
What would you like to read about? Leave your suggestion (s) in a comment below this article, or send an email to redactie@iphoned.nl: we would love to hear from you! We previously wrote these articles about our monthly theme:
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