AirPods are widespread as a result of they exemplify what Apple is all about: high-quality merchandise with nice options that work with out fuss. And when you might not consider earbuds and headphones because the forms of merchandise that will be up to date with new options frequently, Apple does an important job of integrating them into its ecosystem, and new variations convey extra performance. This article retains monitor of essentially the most creditable reviews of the upcoming AirPods, so preserve coming again for the most recent information.
2021 AirPods: The newest rumors
The China publication Economic Daily News reviews that Apple has begun to prepare for AirPods production, with a brand new mannequin due later this yr.
A new DigiTimes report (via Macrumors) says Apple has lined up quite a few circuit board-related shipments because it prepares to ship AirPods later this yr.
2021 AirPods (third era)
Availability: Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March that the brand new AirPods (third era) should not scheduled to enter mass manufacturing till the third quarter of this yr, which doubtless alerts a fall launch. Kuo’s assertion was backed up by Weibo poster l0vetodream, who has earlier accurately leaked Apple data.
Design: LeaksApplePro tweeted images of the purported AirPods 3, which have shorter stems and earbuds that appear to be these on the AirPods Pro, however with out the silicone ear ideas. The Chinese web site 52audio posted images of AirPods that look just like what LeaksApplePro posted, and Bloomberg additionally reported that the subsequent AirPods may have shorter stems.
The AirPods may even have a brand new case that’s just like the AirPods Pro case, however 52audio and Bloomberg didn’t say if Apple will proceed to supply each wired and wi-fi choices.
Features: Several reviews state that the subsequent AirPods may have the identical H1 chip and options as the present AirPods, comparable to quick system pairing and switching, optical sensors, and movement and speech-detecting accelerometers. However, though the AirPods 3 might appear to be AirPods Pro, they doubtless gained’t have lively noise cancellation.
Price: 52audio reported that the AirPods may very well be priced at $150, however they didn’t point out the kind of case.
2021 AirPods Pro (2nd era)
Availability: Apparently, Apple had deliberate on transport the second-generation AirPods Pro this yr, however Bloomberg reported in May 2021 that it gained’t ship till 2022.
Design: Bloomberg reported that the subsequent AirPods Pro won’t have any stems and will look loads like the brand new Beats Studio Buds that have been lately unveiled, with a design that sits flush with the ear.
The subsequent AirPods Pro may take design cues from the Beats Studio Buds.
Beats
Features: According to AirPods rumors, Apple will proceed to distinguish the AirPods Pro with noise cancellation. According to Bloomberg, the subsequent AirPods Pro will focus extra on health monitoring and have up to date movement sensors.
Price: No reviews of value have been made. The present mannequin is $249, however they’re ceaselessly on sale. The new Beats Studio Buds are $150, so it’s potential Apple may do a small value discount, although that’s not Apple’s typical transfer.
2021 AirPods Max (2nd era)
The AirPods Max have been launched in late 2020, so it’s unlikely {that a} new mannequin will launch this yr, based mostly on Apple’s AirPods cadence. However, Bloomberg reported in May that Apple isn’t engaged on any design or characteristic updates, although Apple may launch new colours to refresh the product mid-cycle.
2021 AirPods: Apple Music
Apple launched Lossless Audio and Lossless High-Res Audio for Apple Music in June, however because of the limitations of Bluetooth and the AAC codec, none of the present crop of AirPods are capable of stream the higher-quality tracks. However, Jon Prosser reported that Apple is engaged on a brand new audio codec that will enable lossless streaming over AirPods, which may get an introduction alongside the brand new fashions. It’s unclear whether or not such a brand new characteristic could be restricted to new AirPods, but when Apple opts to make use of Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 to allow Lossless audio, that will require new {hardware}.
2021 AirPods: iOS 15
Apple unveiled iOS 15 at WWDC and it consists of several features that will come to the AirPods, together with expanded assist for the Find My community, Conversation Boost for AirPods Pro, and spatial audio on Apple TV and M1 Macs. All of those options will doubtless ship with the brand new AirPods fashions, which may sign a fall launch.
Roman has lined expertise because the early Nineties. His profession began at MacConsumer, and he is labored for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.
