Apple’s AirPods – What’s Coming in the Near Future?

Apple’s AirPods – What’s Coming in the Near Future?

If you have a teenage daughter like me, you will be familiar with need for them to have their AirPods attached to their ears 24 hours a day. Recently, she has bought herself some SONY WH-CH520C Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, which look great when she is in the gym, but she still favours the AirPods when at home or walking to college. Her current AirPods are getting a little old now, resulting in them neither charging properly nor lasting long. So I was interested in an article I read this week about the next generation of AirPods on the horizon, which could be the replacement.

In the article Mark Gurman from Bloomberg gives us a glimpse of Apple’s exciting plans to refresh its AirPods lineup in the coming years. This refresh promises new and improved features that will make choosing the right AirPods even more exciting.

The Evolution of AirPods – Goodbye Second and Third Generations

According to Gurman’s article, Apple is saying goodbye to the second-generation and third-generation AirPods. The third-generation “regular” AirPods didn’t quite make the mark, with many owners still favouring the older, more affordable second-generation model. To address this, Apple is gearing up to launch two distinct fourth-generation AirPods in 2024, each with its own set of unique features.

Fourth-Generation AirPods – The Best of Both Worlds

The fourth-generation AirPods are getting a fresh new look, combining elements from the third-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro. They’ll have shorter stems and be priced below the AirPods Pro, making them appealing to a broader range of customers. This change gives you more options when you’re shopping for AirPods.

Differences Between the Two Models

While both fourth-generation AirPods will be competitively priced, they’ll have some notable differences. The higher-end option will borrow advanced features from the AirPods Pro, such as noise cancellation and integrated speakers on the charging case to improve Find My support. However, they won’t come with replaceable silicone ear tips, opting for the open-air design like the standard AirPods. This design choice could give the AirPods Pro an edge in noise cancellation and sound quality.

USB-C and a Little Update for AirPods Max

Apple is embracing USB-C with the next AirPods, in line with the industry’s move towards this universal standard. There will also be a minor refresh for the AirPods Max, featuring a USB-C port and some new color options. While these changes may not be groundbreaking, they’ll help the AirPods Max keep up in a rapidly changing market. This refresh might also bring support for lossless audio when paired with the Vision Pro, delivering a better audio experience for audiophiles.

The Future – AirPods Pro Redesign in 2025

In 2025, Apple is planning to give the AirPods Pro a fresh new look. Although we don’t have all the details on what this redesign will entail, it’s an exciting development for Apple fans who can’t wait to see what innovative changes are in store for the Pro model.

In a nutshell, Apple’s plan to revamp the AirPods lineup over the next few years shows their commitment to offering top-notch audio experiences for a wide range of customers. Introducing two distinct fourth-generation AirPods models, adopting USB-C, and updating the AirPods Max all highlight Apple’s dedication to staying competitive in a constantly evolving market. And with a redesigned AirPods Pro on the horizon, Apple continues to set the bar for innovation in the world of wireless earbuds.

Thanks

Richard