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Samsung Galaxy Home 'mini' makes its way through the FCC

Even before the first Galaxy Home hits shelves, Samsung may already have plans for a second "mini" smart speaker.

Eli Blumenthal Senior Editor
Eli Blumenthal is a senior editor at CNET with a particular focus on covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom, streaming and sports. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today.
Expertise 5G, mobile networks, wireless carriers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, streaming platforms, mobile and console gaming
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galaxy-home-bixby

Samsung's larger Galaxy Home.

 Juan Garzon / CNET

The first Galaxy Home has yet to hit store shelves but that hasn't stopped Samsung from apparently prepping a second Bixby-powered speaker. 

A new FCC filing made public Tuesday revealed a smaller version of Samsung's forthcoming speaker. Described as an "AI speaker," not much is known about the device, though the FCC did test it on Wi-Fi b/g/n networks. The Bluetooth version listed by the FCC is 4.2. 

An image for the device shows a smaller profile than the "grille-like" larger Galaxy Home, with no noticeable stands. AKG, Samsung's premium audio brand, is visible on the top of the device. 

Galaxy Home mini FCC

Samsung's "mini" Galaxy Home, as seen in an FCC filing. 

 FCC

SamMobile first reported that Samsung was working on a smaller Galaxy Home device late last year. 

Creating a smaller, cheaper smart speaker is a logical move for Samsung. Rivals in the space, such as Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo and Google's Google Assistant-powered Home, all have smaller, cheaper options available. 

Google currently sells its Home Mini for $49, $50 cheaper than its regular Home. Amazon's smaller Echo Dot retails for $50, likewise a $50 drop from the price of its regular Echo. 

After first detailing the larger Galaxy Home at the Galaxy Note 9 event in August 2018, Samsung has been fairly quiet about its smart speaker plans. There is still no exact release date or price, though Samsung's US PR department told CNET earlier this month that it plans to launch the device "in the first half of 2019." 

Samsung declined to comment.