The smart speaker market is in full bloom now with virtually every major tech player having a product in the sector. First on the scene was Amazon, with the Echo smart speaker. Next came Google with its Google Home speaker. Then Apple unveiled its long-rumored smart speaker, called the Apple HomePod. Now it’s Samsung’s turn with its new Galaxy Home smart speaker.
So what makes a smart speaker “smart”? It generally needs to have the ability to control it with your voice, a built-in virtual assistant, and a streaming music service. All of these requirements are met by all the smart speakers listed above. But what many people want to know is how do arch-enemies Apple’s and Samsung's smart speakers compare? We took a look to find out.
Apple HomePod vs. Samsung Galaxy Home: Design
The two devices couldn’t look more different. While both features cloth coverings, their overall body shape is different. The HomePod looks like a cylindrical canister while Samsung has instead opted to give the Home a more distinguished look. The Home rests on three tripod legs and features a body that tapers near the top.
Apple HomePod vs. Samsung Galaxy Home: Assistants
The way you interact with both smart speakers is, of course, by voice. On the HomePod you are interacting with Apple’s Siri. For the Home, you are talking to Samsung’s assistant, Bixby. Many people consider Bixby–found on other Galaxy devices–the weakest of the digital assistants.
Could Samsung have improved upon Bixby for the Home? That’s something we’ll need to wait and see as the Galaxy Home doesn’t have a release date yet.
Apple HomePod vs. Samsung Galaxy Home: Sound
The Galaxy Home is supposed to sound incredible thanks to its built-in subwoofer and eight microphones designed for far-field communication. Samsung also boasts that the Home “is the only AI speaker that intuitively moves a wave of sound directly toward you when you ask it to. So no matter where you are in the room, you’ll find yourself immersed in sound.” That sounds pretty cool.
But the HomePod is no slouch in the sound department either. Thanks to AirPlay 2, you can send your music to multiple HomePods around the house. It also boasts a high-excursion woofer with custom amplifier, an array of seven horn-loaded tweeters, each with its own custom amplifier; and a six-microphone array for far-field Siri.
So which sounds better? We’ll need to wait until the Galaxy Home launches to tell.
Apple HomePod vs. Samsung Galaxy Home: Third-party Smart Home Device Integration
As for now, the Home and HomePod appear to be tied when it comes to smart home integration. Home supports products from a number of major smart home device manufacturers–as does the HomePod.
Apple HomePod vs. Samsung Galaxy Home: Price & Verdict
It’s really too early to call which is better considering Home doesn’t have a ship date yet. But as is the case, if you’re already tied into Apple’s ecosystem, HomePod is probably the better choice for you thanks to its integration with Apple’s services. If you’re not, and are a major Samsung fan, you might want to wait until the Galaxy Home comes out and you can hear it for yourself. It could fit in perfectly with your other Galaxy devices. Right now HomePod is sold in the UK for £319. It’s expected that the Galaxy Home will be priced as a premium product too, so expect it to be priced at or slightly below that of the HomePod.
