Sphero indi vs Sphero Mini
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| Spheroindi | SpheroMini | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | – | 2017 |
| Task and control | ||
| Form | Wheeled | Wheeled |
| Use | Education | Education |
| User programming | Yes | Yes |
| Phone app | Yes | Yes |
| Movement | Small car-shaped rolling robot. | Motor-driven rolling ball; the interchangeable outer shell encloses the drive mechanism. |
| User programming | Colour tiles provide screen-free instructions. The free Sphero Edu Jr app changes responses using simplified blocks. | Sphero Edu supports drawing, blocks and JavaScript; Sphero Play provides driving and game controls. |
| Regional availability | The maker US store accepts orders for Student Kit SKU 980-0530 on 3 October 2026, but explicitly states it is backordered with shipment expected October 2026; orders with other items wait until all are in stock. | The maker US store lists individual blue, green and red robots as orderable on 3 October 2026; availability is regional. |
| Release details | First retail-sale date was not established from maker evidence; a current backorder delivery estimate is not a new product launch. | Contemporary MacRumors coverage records sale from 29 September 2017. Year precision is retained because a maker first-sale notice was not located. |
| Hardware | ||
| Height | 38.1 mm | 39.878 mm |
| Width | 69.85 mm | 39.878 mm |
| Depth | 76.2 mm | 39.878 mm |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | Onboard colour sensing reads the supplied instruction tiles. | Gyroscope, accelerometer and motor encoders; RGB LED. |
| Audio | Onboard speaker. | – |
| Size and weight | Maker robot dimensions: 3 × 2.75 × 1.5 inches (length × width × height); 76.2 × 69.85 × 38.1 mm. | Maker diameter: 1.57 inches (39.878 mm). |
| Accessories | Single Student Kit includes one robot, 20 latex-free rubber colour tiles, carrying case, 15 challenge cards, stickers and charging cable. Classroom mats and multi-robot charging cases are separate bundles. | Three mini traffic cones and six mini bowling pins included. Blue, green and red shells offered on the current maker page. |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | – | 45 minutes of play |
| Charging | Charging cable included; the optional classroom case charges multiple robots. | Micro-USB charging cable included; remove the shell to access the charging port. |
