Apple Set to Launch Two New Versions of the AirPods

According to a new report, Apple will launch two new versions of AirPods this year.

These will replace not only the AirPods 3 but also the AirPods 2. Apple started selling these earphones in early 2019, and they have been sold as a relatively affordable entry-level model for five years.

Now, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that Apple is planning to release new AirPods 4, which will replace these two earphones in the lineup and will come in cheaper and more expensive versions.

They will appear alongside the AirPods Pro 2, the top model in Apple’s earphone series. The last update was in September last year, but it only added a new USB-C charging port instead of Lightning to match the iPhone announced at the same time.

AirPods 3 have been available since late 2021. They have a similar design to AirPods Pro and include high-end features such as spatial audio, but without noise cancellation.

A new report says that the higher-end version of the new AirPods will add noise cancellation to the lineup. For now, this is the main difference between the Pro and regular versions of AirPods.

The AirPods 2 still have Apple’s older, longer design with a tall case and temples that stick out from the ears. They have few modern features, are not waterproof, and have a short battery life.

The report says that they will be replaced by lower-end versions of the new AirPods 4, but did not include any information on what the update will bring. Current AirPods still use the Lightning connector that Apple plans to phase out, as well as other older technologies that may be updated.

Apple typically releases new AirPods alongside new iPhones. Rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to unveil a new phone, the iPhone 16 in various models, at its event in September this year.