Picture: Apple
Apple’s AirPods–which dropped with a little bit of controversy and little curiosity again in 2016–hit some sort of inflection level round 2018, and instantly turned the recent factor. This was handily timed for the 2019 updates, because the 2nd-gen after which Professional variations of the AirPods launched to a newly receptive public and bought just like the proverbial hotcakes. Then got here the AirPods Max in late 2020, the Third-generation AirPods in 2021, and the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional in 2022.
The place subsequent, then, for the AirPods? On this article we are going to have a look at all of the completely different AirPods, evaluating when Apple would possibly subsequent replace them and the brand new options that would arrive with the subsequent technology.
On the Apple Event on September 9, Apple unveiled the brand new AirPods 4, changing the 2nd and Third technology AirPods. There are two fashions, a less expensive AirPods 4 and a costlier AirPods 4 with ANC. The cheaper model matches as much as the expectation that Apple was planning to launch AirPods Lite.
Apple additionally up to date the AirPods Max with a USB-C plug, and refreshed the colours. Nothing else has modified about these fashions although. As well as, Apple revealed that new hearing-related options are coming to the AirPods Professional in 2024. On September 12, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration announced that it authorized Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” for the AirPods Pro.
Learn on for extra details about the latest AirPods and what’s anticipated for the fashions Apple nonetheless hasn’t up to date.
AirPods 4: Apple up to date the usual AirPods in September 2024. The AirPods 4 change the 2nd-gen AirPods and the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) change the Third-gen AirPods.
AirPods Max: The AirPods Max additionally had an replace in September 2024, almost 4 years after they had been launched in December 2020, however Apple isn’t acknowledging it as a generational replace. As an alternative, Apple launched “New colours” and has up to date the plug to USB-C (changing lightning).
AirPods Professional 2: Whereas the 2nd-gen fashions had been launched in 2022, in September 2023 they had been up to date. Apple didn’t take into account this replace vital sufficient for a generational change, so they’re nonetheless often called the 2nd technology AirPods Professional, however the ‘new’ mannequin that was launched in September 2023 comes with a USB-C charging case (changing the lightning port) and barely higher mud proofing. Alongside the USB-C charging case, there may be additionally a change to their IP ranking, now IP54 (which signifies higher dustproofing). They went on sale on September 22, 2023. In September 2024, Apple revealed that new hearing-related options are coming to AirPods Professional, extra info beneath.
EarPods: Apple final up to date the wired EarPods with a USB-C cable on the September 2023 occasion, they beforehand had a Lightning cable.
Beneath you will notice the pricing and the place to purchase info for the brand new AirPods the place you’re, and the perfect costs as soon as third events begin to promote them.
The rumors advised that Apple was going to introduce AirPods LIte at a cheaper price, probably as little as $99. Ming-Chi Kuo referred to $99 as the price target for the AirPods Lite in January 2023. Sadly, this isn’t the case and the entry-level AirPods 4 are $129/£129, whereas if you’d like Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can price $50 extra at $179/£179.
Right here’s how a lot every AirPod mannequin prices proper now within the U.S. and U.Ok.:
Apple used to promote variations of the AirPods with and with no MagSafe charging case, the MagSafe possibility price $10/£10 extra. That is now not accessible.
Previous to September 2024 pricing was as follows: We’ve got a round-up of the Best wireless earbuds for iPhones and the best wired headphones when you’d like to contemplate options to AirPods. Additionally learn AirPods Pro vs AirPods to learn how the fashions evaluate.
The AirPods 4 introduce the next new options:
The AirPods Max (2024 replace) introduce the next new options:
The AirPods Professional 2 will achieve new listening to options in fall 2024 together with:
On September 12, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration announced that it authorized Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” for the AirPods Pro.
Bloomberg’s Gurman had predicted that listening to well being was going to be an space of AirPods innovation, writing in March 2023 that Apple’s trying on the “skill to get listening to information of some kind.”
In a report in July 2023, Gurman predicted, a “new hearing test feature that can play completely different tones and sounds to permit the AirPods to find out how properly an individual can hear. The concept is to assist customers display for listening to points.”
The AirPods Professional fashions already had Dialog Enhance and Dwell Pay attention that go some technique to flip them into semi-hearing aids.
The 2nd technology AirPods Professional have been on sale since September 2022, though Apple did make some modifications to them in September 2023.
The subsequent replace to the AirPods Professional in all probability received’t occur till 2025.
When the Third-generation AirPods Professional do arrive the indications are that they may get a brand new design and a few new health-related options.
Within the winter of 2024 the AirPods Max will likely be 4 years outdated and due an replace–particularly within the gentle of competitors from different headphones, together with Apple’s personal Beats Studio Professional. The AirPods Max cannot even play Apple’s lossless audio which is an omission that must be rectified.
In September 2024 Apple made just a few updates to the AirPods Max, together with a brand new vary of colours and the addition of USB-C, however there are nonetheless lacking options, a few of which we focus on right here: Apple needs to scrap the AirPods Max and start over these embrace:
Gurman advised in an October 2023 report that the brand new AirPod Max will are available new colours and provide USB-C, however they “received’t see many different modifications.” Gurman’s predictions had been right.
It was thought that Apple would incorporate the H2 processor discovered within the newer AirPods Professional, however evidently it hasn’t accomplished so but, so that may be anticipated for the 2nd technology.
The AirPods Max will not be an enormous concern for Apple although. Whereas Gurman notes in a December e-newsletter that “Apple additionally appears to be like to breathe new life into the AirPods Max headphones,” he permits that: “The cans don’t promote properly sufficient for the corporate to put money into totally new {hardware} or software program options”. There are just a few limitations that Apple could also be addressing with new AirPods.
One space ripe for enchancment is the power to play Apple’s hi-res lossless audio, which the corporate launched in June 2021. Bluetooth headphones–together with all of Apple’s AirPods–aren’t able to enjoying audio at this decision.
Apple will little question be searching for a technique to deliver this know-how to the AirPods Max. The AirPods Max, regardless of their excessive worth, aren’t presently able to enjoying Apple’s hi-res lossless audio. An replace in 2023 did deliver some capability to play high-res audio on these headphones if they’re used within the wired format. Customers can plug within the AirPods Max through the Lightning to three.5mm audio cable and revel in higher high quality sound, however Apple signifies that “Given the analog-to-digital conversion within the cable, the playback is not going to be fully lossless.”
An Apple patent describes a approach that movement sensors inside AirPods might support Crash Detection. There have been reviews of the iPhone and Apple Watch triggering emergency calls, so it’s probably Apple should mitigate in opposition to this occurring with the AirPods.
The large new options for the Third-gen AirPods Professional will apparently be health-related. Apple is alleged to be body-temperature and well being monitoring.
The Apple Watch already included a temperature sensor, used primarily for the ovulation monitoring function. Apple is alleged to be eager to construct in physique temperature measurement options to its earbuds, the ear canal is being a greater and extra correct supply of such information than a Watch.
Based on Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is engaged on adding a temperature sensor to a future set of AirPods. Nevertheless, we might have to attend somewhat longer as Gurman isn’t satisfied that this will likely be prepared for the fourth technology.
In case you’re eager to listen to the most recent rumors about Apple’s 2025 plans, the perfect place to begin is our roundup: New Apple products 2025.
These within the present vary ought to check out our roundup of the best AirPods deals for the most recent bargains. Karen has labored on either side of the Apple divide, clocking up various years at Apple’s PR company previous to becoming a member of Macworld greater than 20 years in the past. Karen’s profession highlights embrace interviewing Apple’s Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.Ok. print and on-line editions of Macworld for a few years, extra just lately her focus has been on search engine optimization and evergreen content material in addition to product suggestions and shopping for recommendation.
Are there new AirPods?
AirPods 4 launch date: When will the brand new AirPods come out?
How a lot do AirPods price?
New AirPods options
AirPods Professional (Third-gen): Rumors and launch date
AirPods Max (2nd-gen): Rumors and Launch Date
New AirPods specs and options
Lossless audio
Crash Detection
Temperature sensor
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld 
