Whereas there have been no main revisions to the AirPods lineup in 2023, Apple is getting ready an enormous shakeup for this yr. Headlining the updates in 2024 can be a whole overhaul of the entry-level AirPods lineup. Right here’s the whole lot we all know thus far.
Apple’s present AirPods lineup
Apple at present sells 4 completely different variations of AirPods:
AirPods 4 are coming later this yr
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has extensively reported on Apple’s plans to launch AirPods (4th era) in 2024. In line with Gurman, Apple will discontinue AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 this yr, and exchange them with two completely different AirPods 4 variants.
The AirPods 4 fashions will reportedly characteristic a design that “seems like a mix” of AirPods 3 and AirPods Professional, together with quick stems. Neither of the AirPods 4 variants will characteristic replaceable ideas like AirPods Professional, however they are going to “provide an improved match.”
What about options? Bloomberg says that Apple is planning to distinguish the 2 AirPods 4 fashions in a couple of alternative ways. The upper-end AirPods 4 will provide noise cancellation, whereas the lower-end mannequin is not going to.
Each variations of AirPods 4 will embrace a brand new charging case that makes use of USB-C for charging. The charging case included with the higher-end AirPods 4, nevertheless, may also embrace built-in audio system for improved Discover My integration.
In line with Bloomberg, the brand new AirPods 4 fashions are due for a launch later in 2024. Sometimes, Apple has launched new AirPods across the similar time as new iPhones in September.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has additionally reported that Apple is engaged on a low-cost model of AirPods that can be launched in 2024. Kuo has steered that the so-called “AirPods Lite” might be priced at $99. Analyst Jeff Pu has additionally stated that AirPods Lite are within the works.
Whether or not Kuo and Pu are referring to the identical lower-end model of AirPods 4 as Bloomberg, or a unique product solely, is unclear.
What about AirPods Professional and AirPods Max?
Additionally in 2024, Apple will launch a new model of AirPods Max. Sadly, the one change right here can be a swap from Lightning to USB-C for charging. In line with Bloomberg, Apple isn’t planning some other upgrades for AirPods Max this yr. AirPods Max will proceed to make use of the identical H1 chip that they’ve used since 2020, which implies they are going to proceed to overlook out on various fashionable AirPods options.
For AirPods Professional followers, rumors are that Apple isn’t planning an replace till 2025. This revision will embrace a brand new design and a brand new chip, amongst different new options. These new options may embrace health-focused capabilities, equivalent to these associated to listening to well being.
Wrap up
To recap, right here’s the forthcoming AirPods roadmap:
- Later in 2024: AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 discontinued and changed with two AirPods 4 fashions
- Later in 2024: AirPods Max up to date to change from Lightning to USB-C
- Someday in 2025: New AirPods Professional with an up to date design, new chip, and well being options.
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