Whereas there have been no main revisions to the AirPods lineup in 2023, Apple is making ready an enormous shakeup for this yr. Headlining the updates in 2024 might be a whole overhaul of the entry-level AirPods lineup. Right here’s all the pieces we all know forward of tomorrow’s “It’s Glowtime” occasion…
Apple’s present AirPods lineup
Apple at the moment sells 4 totally 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 announce two new AirPods 4 fashions through the “It’s Glowtime” occasion on Monday, September 9.
The AirPods 4 fashions will reportedly function a design that “appears like a mix” of AirPods 3 and AirPods Professional, together with brief stems. Neither of the AirPods 4 variants will function 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 just a few 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, nonetheless, can even embrace built-in audio system for improved Discover My integration.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has additionally reported that Apple is engaged on a low-cost model of AirPods that might be launched in 2024. Kuo has recommended that the so-called “AirPods Lite” may very well be priced at $99. Analyst Jeff Pu has additionally mentioned 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 totally, is unclear.
Apple thinks AirPods 4 might be successful
In line with Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is planning a serious manufacturing ramp for AirPods 4. Gurman reviews that Apple suppliers will produce between 20 and 25 million models of the brand new AirPods 4 fashions. This could make for the largest AirPods launch ever for Apple.
AirPods 4 manufacturing is predicted to kick off in Could with Apple focusing on a fall launch, probably alongside the iPhone 16.
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 might be a change 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 suggests 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 might embrace health-focused capabilities, comparable to these associated to listening to well being.
Wrap up
To recap, right here’s the forthcoming AirPods roadmap:
- September 2024: AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 discontinued and changed with two AirPods 4 fashions
- Later in 2024: AirPods Max up to date to modify 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 yr? Tell us down within the feedback.
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