Apple’s AirPods–which dropped with a little bit of controversy and little curiosity again in 2016–hit some sort of inflection level round 2018, and instantly grew to become the recent factor. This was handily timed for the 2019 updates, because the 2nd-gen after which Professional variations of the AirPods launched to a newly receptive public and bought just like the proverbial hotcakes. Then got here the AirPods Max in late 2020, the Third-generation AirPods in 2021, and the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional in 2022.
The place subsequent, then, for the AirPods? On this article we’ll have a look at all of the completely different AirPods, evaluating when Apple would possibly subsequent replace them and the brand new options that might arrive with the following technology. We’ll additionally talk about rumors that Apple is about to launch a brand new cheaper AirPods Lite—or AirPods SE—class.
Replace August 20: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has extra AirPods rumors, claims two new fashions coming quickly.
Will there be new AirPods quickly?
There are presently three sorts of AirPods: The usual AirPods, the AirPods Professional, and the AirPods Max. Whereas Apple doesn’t replace every class of AirPod yearly, it does are inclined to introduce a brand new set of AirPods annually. Nevertheless, in 2023 there have been no main updates to the AirPods vary, aside from a replace to the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional that Apple itself didn’t even qualify as important sufficient for a generational change. Nonetheless often called the 2nd technology AirPods Professional, the ‘new’ mannequin that was launched in September now comes with a USB-C charging case (changing the lightning port) and barely higher dustproofing.
So, with no important replace in 2023, what subsequent for the AirPods lineup? In response to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman Apple plans to overtake the whole AirPods line beginning in 2024 and persevering with into 2025.
Gurman indicated in a December 17 e-newsletter that in 2024 Apple’s wearables enterprise, together with the AirPods, will “take centre stage”.
Gurman additionally talked about the AirPods in a March 2024 e-newsletter, saying that new AirPods will enter formal manufacturing in Might, “setting the stage for a launch round September or October [2024].”
And in August 2024 he wrote that “Apple will launch the fourth technology of the usual AirPods later this yr“.
It’s trying very probably that we’ll hear some AirPods information at Apple’s iPhone occasion in September.
Learn on to search out out which set of AirPods is more likely to be up to date first.
AirPods (4th-gen): Rumors and launch date:
The AirPods are the entry-level earbuds from Apple. First launched in 2016 they’re now within the third technology.
- September 2016: 1st-gen AirPods launched (accessible in December 2016).
- March 2019: 2nd-gen AirPods launched.
- October 2021: Third-gen AirPods launched.
- Predicted launch September 2024: 4th-gen AirPods.
It’s now been two years because the Third-gen AirPods arrived in October 2021, which arrived two and a half years after the second technology launched. On that foundation, we had been longing for a spring 2024 replace. Nevertheless, Gurman’s indications about manufacturing beginning in Might with a launch in September counsel we might be ready till the September iPhone launch earlier than we see them.
There could also be multiple new commonplace AirPods mannequin coming, changing each the Third gen and 2nd gen fashions which are nonetheless on sale. It’s rumored that two new fashions are on the way in which: a less expensive mannequin and a extra superior mannequin – codenamed B768(E) and B768(M).
Gurman claims the “new 4th-gen AirPods will appear to be a hybrid between the Third-gen AirPods and AirPods Professional, with quick stems”. We are able to additionally count on a brand new search for the instances and USB-C charging. Audio high quality might be improved, however solely “the upper-end model of the 2 fashions will embrace lively noise cancellation, bringing that characteristic to a lower cost level.” He additionally means that the higher-end of the 2 fashions will get a case with a speaker for Discover My alerts.
AirPods Lite: Rumors and Launch Date
If Apple does introduce cheaper AirPods, as rumored, they could be often called AirPods Lite. There have been rumors that Apple plans to launch new AirPods Lite or AirPods SE headphones for a number of years.
- Predicted launch September 2024: AirPods Lite.
In January 2023 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Apple had plans to launch “extra reasonably priced AirPods (with Apple focusing on a worth of $99)”.
Additionally in January 2023, analyst Jeff Pu referenced Apple’s plans to introduce the AirPods Lite–a cheaper model of the usual AirPods. Like Kuo, he anticipated a worth of $99.
In a report in October 2023, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned how the AirPods lineup would possibly change in 2024. He steered that Apple intends to interchange the present 2nd-gen AirPods and Third-gen AirPods with two variations of the 4th-gen AirPods: one cheaper and extra primary than the opposite; one providing noise canceling and a case with a speaker for Discover My alerts. Gurman claims that the change of technique from providing the earlier technology at a lower cost is as a result of the Third-gen mannequin doesn’t promote very effectively as a result of clients don’t really feel that it’s well worth the increased worth, or select to spend a bit extra for AirPods Professional.
Even in January 2023, Kuo steered that the AirPods Lite might not ship till the second quarter of 2024 and even 2025.
Gurman’s March 2024 e-newsletter suggests {that a} September launch is probably going.
AirPods Max 2: Rumors and Launch Date
- December 2020: 1st-gen AirPods Max launched.
- Predicted launch September 2024: 2nd gen AirPods Max.
As of the winter of 2023, the AirPods Max at the moment are three years previous and due an replace–particularly within the gentle of competitors from different headphones, together with Apple’s personal Beats Studio Professional. The AirPods Max can’t even play Apple’s lossless audio, which is an omission that must be rectified.
We talk about a number of the options we hope for in Apple must scrap the AirPods Max and begin over these embrace:
- Lighter and foldable.
- USB-C to three.5mm audio cable along with the included USB-C cable.
- A correct case.
- Capability to make use of them as wired headphones.
- Higher sound high quality, noise cancellation, and transparency.
We might have to attend till the tip of 2024 for an replace, although. Gurman steered in an October 2023 report that the brand new AirPod Max will are available new colours and provide USB-C, however they “received’t see many different adjustments.” It is usually probably that Apple will incorporate the H2 processor discovered within the newer AirPods Professional.
The AirPods Max is probably not a giant concern for Apple although. Whereas Gurman notes in a December e-newsletter that “Apple additionally appears to be like to breathe new life into the AirPods Max headphones,” he permits that: “The cans don’t promote effectively sufficient for the corporate to put money into solely new {hardware} or software program options”.
It appears to be like like we might be ready till September 2024, and Apple definitely appears to be like prefer it has dropped the mic on this one, and never in a great way.
AirPods Professional (Third-gen): Rumors and launch date
- October 2019: 1st-gen AirPods Professional launched.
- September 2022: 2nd-gen AirPods Professional launched.
- September 2023: USB-C 2nd-gen AirPods Professional launched.
- Predicted launch 2025: Third gen AirPods Professional.
We didn’t see new AirPods on the iPhone occasion in September 2023, however we did see Apple announce that the prevailing AirPods Professional (2nd gen) could be getting a USB-C charging case. This case could be charged with the identical cable as ships with the brand new iPhone 15-series. Apple revealed that the iPhone 15 may also cost the AirPods Professional. These AirPods Professional are nonetheless thought of the second technology, however alongside the USB-C charging case, there may be additionally a change to their IP ranking, now IP54 (which signifies higher mud proofing). They went on sale on September 22, 2023.
Apple additionally up to date the wired EarPods with a USB-C cable on the September 12 occasion, they beforehand had a Lightning cable.
The second-gen AirPods Professional arrived in September 2022. That replace got here three years after the primary technology launched. On that point scale, we could possibly be ready till 2025 for an replace to the AirPods Professional, however the wait could possibly be even longer.
Once they do arrive the large new options for the AirPods Professional Third gen are stated to be health-related. They’re additionally stated to be getting a brand new design.
How a lot will new AirPods value?
If Apple adjusts the AirPods lineup as steered, we may see some worth adjustments. Apple’s adjusted its pricing construction for its headphones in September 2023 outdoors the U.S., right here’s how a lot every mannequin prices proper now within the U.S. and U.Okay.:
- Apple Earbuds $19/£19
- AirPods 2nd-gen $129/£129 (was £139)
- AirPoids Third-gen (Lightning) $169/£169 (was £179)
- AirPoids Third-gen (MagSafe) $179/£179 (was £189)
- AirPods Professional 2nd-gen $249/£229 (was £249)
- AirPods Max $549/£499 (was £549)
The concept that Apple will promote cheaper AirPods, has been knocking round for years. They’ve usually been known as the AirPods Lite and are anticipated to compete with sub-$100 earbuds. Ming-Chi Kuo refers to $99 as the worth goal for the AirPods Lite. This compares to the AirPods 2, that are nonetheless bought by Apple for $129/£129. It’s probably that if Apple introduces the AirPods Lite it should cease promoting the older AirPods as a funds providing. Apple’s want to supply AirPods at this worth level would permit it to compete on the decrease finish of the market. They’d successfully be the SE providing for the AirPods, much like Apple’s Apple Watch SE and iPhone SE.
In a December 2023 e-newsletter, Gurman wrote that: “The brand new AirPods ought to assist Apple repair an issue with the prevailing lineup. The corporate’s present $179 earbuds–its third-generation, mid-tier mannequin–have been considerably of a dud with shoppers. They give the impression of being much like the AirPods Professional, however don’t provide options which are notably higher than the $129 second-generation AirPods from 2019.” Gurman steered that this has left “shoppers confused about which AirPods to purchase” and that consequently: “Buyers flip to a competitor’s product, aiming to get comparable options to the AirPods Professional at a lower cost”.
Analyst Jeff Pu additionally thinks that the AirPods Lite might assist stimulate curiosity within the present lineup.
Aside from the worth adjustments on the backside finish of the lineup, it’s unlikely that costs will change considerably, particularly now that Apple has addressed the unfair pricing outdoors the U.S.
We have now a round-up of the Greatest wi-fi earbuds for iPhones and the greatest wired headphones if you happen to’d like to think about alternate options to AirPods. Additionally learn AirPods Professional vs AirPods to learn the way the fashions evaluate.
New AirPods specs and options
There are just a few limitations that Apple could also be addressing with new AirPods.
Lossless audio
One space ripe for enchancment is the flexibility to play Apple’s hi-res lossless audio, which the corporate launched in June 2021. Bluetooth headphones–together with all of Apple’s AirPods–aren’t able to taking part in audio at this decision.
Apple will little doubt be on the lookout for a solution to convey this expertise to the AirPods Max. The AirPods Max, regardless of their excessive worth, aren’t presently able to taking part in Apple’s hi-res lossless audio. An replace in 2023 did convey some capability to play high-res audio on these headphones if they’re used within the wired format. Customers can plug within the AirPods Max by way of the Lightning to three.5mm audio cable and revel in higher high quality sound, however Apple signifies that “Given the analog-to-digital conversion within the cable, the playback is not going to be utterly lossless.”
USB-C
As with the AirPods Professional, we may simply see an replace to the Third-gen AirPods if Apple provides USB-C charging to the case.
Additionally more likely to get an replace is the lightning port on the AirPods charging case. With Apple about to undertake USB-C as a substitute of Lightning throughout all its product classes, as a result of a ruling within the European Union, Apple has to maneuver away from Lightning and it’s anticipated that the 2023 iPhones may have USB-C ports as a substitute of Lightning, for instance. The AirPods look set to observe this pattern.
Each AirPods case may change to USB-C, in accordance with a tweet from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in August 2022. It’s attainable that this replace may come on the September 2023 occasion.
Kuo adopted this tweet up in March 2023 suggesting that Apple will introduce a model of the second-generation AirPods Professional later in 2023 with a USB-C charging case. He indicated that the third-gen of the usual AirPods is not going to get this USB-C replace.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (in a Energy On e-newsletter from October 2022) expects all three AirPods fashions to maneuver to USB-C by the tip of 2023 although. Nevertheless, Gurman in July 2023 signaled that the corporate could also be ready to attend a bit longer for the non-standard fashions.
The AirPods Professional, Gurnam stated, will stick with their present launch cadence, which suggests the following mannequin, presumably with a USB-C connection, might not arrive till the autumn of 2025. It’s unclear whether or not a brand new case might be rolled out earlier than then as with the MagSafe case in 2021, although.
Crash Detection
An Apple patent describes a method that movement sensors inside AirPods may support Crash Detection. There have been stories of the iPhone and Apple Watch triggering emergency calls, so it’s probably Apple should mitigate towards this taking place with the AirPods.
Temperature sensor
The massive new options for the Third-gen AirPods Professional will apparently be health-related. Apple is alleged to be taking a look at body-temperature and well being monitoring.
The Apple Watch already included a temperature sensor, used primarily for the ovulation monitoring characteristic. Apple is alleged to be eager to construct in physique temperature measurement options to its earbuds, the ear canal is being a greater and extra correct supply of such information than a Watch.
In response to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is engaged on including a temperature sensor to a future set of AirPods. Nevertheless, we might have to attend a bit longer as Gurman isn’t satisfied that this might be prepared for the fourth technology.
Listening to information
Bloomberg’s Gurman additionally believes that listening to well being goes to be an space of AirPods innovation, writing in March that Apple’s trying on the “potential to get listening to information of some kind.”
In a report in July, Gurman predicted, a “new listening to take a look at characteristic that may play completely different tones and sounds to permit the AirPods to find out how effectively an individual can hear. The thought is to assist customers display for listening to points.”
The present AirPods Professional fashions have already got Dialog Enhance and Reside Pay attention that go some solution to flip them into semi-hearing aids.
For those who’re eager to listen to the newest rumors about Apple’s 2024 plans, one of the best place to start out is our roundup: New Apple merchandise 2024.
These within the present vary ought to check out our roundup of the greatest AirPods offers for the newest bargains.