Apple’s AirPods–which dropped with a little bit of controversy and little curiosity again in 2016–hit some type of inflection level round 2018, and abruptly turned the new 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 offered 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 totally different AirPods, evaluating when Apple may subsequent replace them and the brand new options that might arrive with the following era.
On the Apple Occasion on September 9, Apple unveiled the brand new AirPods 4, changing the 2nd and Third era AirPods. There are two fashions, a less expensive AirPods 4 and a costlier AirPods 4 with ANC. The cheaper model matches as much as the expectation that Apple was planning to launch AirPods Lite.
Apple additionally up to date the AirPods Max with a USB-C plug, and refreshed the colours. Nothing else has modified about these fashions although.
As well as, Apple revealed that new hearing-related options are coming to the AirPods Professional in 2024.
Learn on for extra details about the most recent AirPods and what’s anticipated for the fashions Apple nonetheless hasn’t up to date.
Are there new AirPods?
AirPods 4: Apple up to date the usual AirPods in September 2024. The AirPods 4 substitute the 2nd-gen AirPods and the AirPods 4 with Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) substitute the Third-gen AirPods.
AirPods Max: The AirPods Max additionally had an replace in September 2024, practically 4 years after they had been launched in December 2020, however Apple isn’t acknowledging it as a generational replace. As an alternative, Apple launched “New colours” and has up to date the plug to USB-C (changing lightning).
AirPods Professional 2: Whereas the 2nd-gen fashions had been launched in 2022, in September 2023 they had been up to date. Apple didn’t take into account this replace vital sufficient for a generational change, so they’re nonetheless referred to as the 2nd era AirPods Professional, however the ‘new’ mannequin that was launched in September 2023 comes with a USB-C charging case (changing the lightning port) and barely higher mud proofing. Alongside the USB-C charging case, there’s additionally a change to their IP ranking, now IP54 (which signifies higher dustproofing). They went on sale on September 22, 2023. In September 2024, Apple revealed that new hearing-related options are coming to AirPods Professional, extra data under.
EarPods: Apple final up to date the wired EarPods with a USB-C cable on the September 2023 occasion, they beforehand had a Lightning cable.
AirPods 4 launch date: When will the brand new AirPods come out?
- Pre-order from September 9.
- On sale from September 20
Under you will notice the pricing and the place to purchase data for the brand new AirPods the place you might be, and the perfect costs as soon as third events begin to promote them.
How a lot do AirPods value?
The rumors advised that Apple was going to introduce AirPods LIte at a cheaper price, probably as little as $99. Ming-Chi Kuo referred to $99 as the value goal for the AirPods Lite in January 2023. Sadly, this isn’t the case and the entry-level AirPods 4 are $129/£129, whereas if you need Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) that may value $50 extra at $179/£179.
Right here’s how a lot every AirPod mannequin prices proper now within the U.S. and U.Okay.:
- Apple Earbuds: $19/£19
- AirPods 4: $129/£129
- AirPoids 4 with ANC: $179/£179
- AirPods Professional 2nd-gen $249/£229
- AirPods Max $549/£499
Apple used to promote variations of the AirPods with and with out a MagSafe charging case, the MagSafe possibility value $10/£10 extra. That is not obtainable.
Previous to September 2024 pricing was as follows:
- Apple Earbuds $19/£19
- AirPods 2nd-gen $129/£129 (was £139)
- AirPoids Third-gen (Lightning) $169/£169 (was £179 at launch)
- AirPoids Third-gen (MagSafe) $179/£179 (was £189 at launch)
- AirPods Professional 2nd-gen $249/£229 (was £249 at launch)
- AirPods Max $549/£499 (was £549 at launch)
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 options to AirPods. Additionally learn AirPods Professional vs AirPods to learn the way the fashions evaluate.
New AirPods options
The AirPods 4 introduce the next new options:
- New design to make them the “most snug AirPods ever”, in keeping with Apple
- New acoustic structure, low-distortion driver, and excessive dynamic vary amplifier
- Customized Spatial Audio with dynamic head monitoring
- H2 chip for “low wi-fi audio latency and wonderful voice high quality”
- USB-C charging (AirPods 4 with ANC can cost utilizing an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger)
- 50mm large charging case (smallest within the trade, in keeping with Apple)
- Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC), Adaptive Audio and Dialog Consciousness (for ANC mannequin)
The AirPods Max (2024 replace) introduce the next new options:
- New colours: midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange
- USB-C charging capabilities
The AirPods Professional 2 will acquire new listening to options in fall 2024 together with:
- Loud Sound Discount
- Listening to Check
- Listening to Assist options
Bloomberg’s Gurman had predicted that listening to well being was going to be an space of AirPods innovation, writing in March 2023 that Apple’s wanting on the “potential to get listening to knowledge of some type.”
In a report in July 2023, Gurman predicted, a “new listening to check characteristic that may play totally different tones and sounds to permit the AirPods to find out how properly an individual can hear. The concept is to assist customers display screen for listening to points.”
The AirPods Professional fashions already had Dialog Enhance and Stay Pay attention that go some method to flip them into semi-hearing aids.
AirPods Professional (Third-gen): Rumors and launch date
- Present mannequin: AirPods Professional 2nd-gen – launched September 2022, up to date September 2023
- Subsequent mannequin: AirPods Professional Third gen – predicted launch 2025
The 2nd era AirPods Professional have been on sale since September 2022, though Apple did make some modifications to them in September 2023.
The following replace to the AirPods Professional most likely received’t occur till 2025.
When the Third-generation AirPods Professional do arrive the indications are that they are going to get a brand new design and a few new health-related options.
AirPods Max (2nd-gen): Rumors and Launch Date
- Present mannequin: AirPods Max 1st-gen – launched December 2020, up to date September 2024.
- Subsequent mannequin: AirPods Max 2nd-gen – predicted launch 2025
Within the winter of 2024 the AirPods Max will probably be 4 years outdated and due an replace–particularly within the mild 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.
In September 2024 Apple made just a few updates to the AirPods Max, together with a brand new vary of colours and the addition of USB-C, however there are nonetheless lacking options, a few of which we talk about right here: Apple must scrap the AirPods Max and begin over these embody:
- Lighter and foldable.
- USB-C to three.5mm audio cable.
- A correct case.
- Means to make use of them as wired headphones.
- Higher sound high quality, noise cancellation, and transparency.
Gurman advised in an October 2023 report that the brand new AirPod Max will are available new colours and supply USB-C, however they “received’t see many different modifications.” Gurman’s predictions had been right.
It was thought that Apple would incorporate the H2 processor discovered within the newer AirPods Professional, however it appears that evidently it hasn’t accomplished so but, so that may be anticipated for the 2nd era.
The AirPods Max will not be a giant concern for Apple although. Whereas Gurman notes in a December publication that “Apple additionally appears to be like to breathe new life into the AirPods Max headphones,” he permits that: “The cans don’t promote properly sufficient for the corporate to spend money on solely new {hardware} or software program options”.
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 power 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 enjoying audio at this decision.
Apple will little question be searching for a method to convey this know-how to the AirPods Max. The AirPods Max, regardless of their excessive worth, aren’t at present able to enjoying 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 won’t be fully lossless.”
Crash Detection
An Apple patent describes a method that movement sensors inside AirPods might support Crash Detection. There have been reviews of the iPhone and Apple Watch triggering emergency calls, so it’s doubtless Apple must 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 claimed to be body-temperature and well being monitoring.
The Apple Watch already integrated a temperature sensor, used primarily for the ovulation monitoring characteristic. Apple is claimed 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 knowledge than a Watch.
In response to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is engaged on including a temperature sensor to a future set of AirPods. Nonetheless, we might have to attend just a little longer as Gurman isn’t satisfied that this will probably be prepared for the fourth era.
In case you’re eager to listen to the most recent rumors about Apple’s 2025 plans, the perfect place to start out is our roundup: New Apple merchandise 2025.
These within the present vary ought to check out our roundup of the greatest AirPods offers for the most recent bargains.
