Whereas there have been no main revisions to the AirPods lineup in 2023, Apple is making ready a giant shakeup for this 12 months. Headlining the updates in 2024 will likely be an entire overhaul of the entry-level AirPods lineup. Right here’s all the pieces we all know thus far.
Apple’s present AirPods lineup
Apple presently sells 5 totally different variations of AirPods:
AirPods 4 are coming later this 12 months
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has extensively reported on Apple’s plans to launch AirPods (4th technology) in 2024. In keeping with Gurman, Apple will discontinue AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 this 12 months, and substitute them with two totally different AirPods 4 variants.
The AirPods 4 fashions will reportedly function a design that “appears to be like like a mix” of AirPods 3 and AirPods Professional, together with brief stems. Neither of the AirPods 4 variants will function replaceable suggestions like AirPods Professional, however they’ll “provide an improved match.”
What about options? Bloomberg says that Apple is planning to distinguish the 2 AirPods 4 fashions in a number 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 even embrace built-in audio system for improved Discover My integration. In keeping with Bloomberg, the brand new AirPods 4 fashions are due for a launch later in 2024. Usually, Apple has launched new AirPods across the identical 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 will likely be launched in 2024. Kuo has steered that the so-called “AirPods Lite” could possibly 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 special product solely, is unclear.
Apple thinks AirPods 4 will likely be successful
In keeping with Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is planning a serious manufacturing ramp for AirPods 4. Gurman stories that Apple suppliers will produce between 20 and 25 million items of the brand new AirPods 4 fashions. This is able to make for the most important AirPods launch ever for Apple.
AirPods 4 manufacturing is anticipated to kick off in Might with Apple concentrating on a fall launch, probably alongside the iPhone 16.
What about AirPods Professional and AirPods Max?
Additionally in 2024, Apple will launch a brand new model of AirPods Max. Sadly, the one change right here will likely be a swap from Lightning to USB-C for charging. In keeping with Bloomberg, Apple isn’t planning another upgrades for AirPods Max this 12 months. AirPods Max will proceed to make use of the identical H1 chip that they’ve used since 2020, which implies they’ll proceed to overlook out on a variety of 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 might embrace health-focused capabilities, reminiscent of 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.
Are you planning to purchase new AirPods this 12 months? Tell us down within the feedback.
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