Apple has been working on new AirPods for quite some time. While we’ve been hearing rumors about a new AirPods Pro model, it won’t launch until next year. In 2024, however, the Cupertino-based tech giant will focus on the non-Pro AirPods lineup and refresh it with some useful features. Here are all the details about the two new purported AirPods models that can be released this year.
Two Non-Pro AirPods Expected This Year
According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is preparing for one of the biggest non-Pro AirPods launches of all time. The company has asked its suppliers to manufacture around 20 to 25 million units for the upcoming wireless earphones, which is a gigantic number. Production for these units is supposed to start in May 2024, preparing them in time for a potential launch alongside the purported iPhone 16 series.
New AirPods Model Number
The report discusses two models: B768(E) and B768(M). While ‘E’ in the model number indicates that it could be the entry-level AirPods, the ‘M’ suggests that the model could be mid-tier. Hence, the two models could take after AirPods (2nd Generation), which happens to be the current entry-level model, and AirPods (3rd Generation) currently available in the market, the current mid-tier earbuds that sit between the regular and the Pro models.
Changes Expected Across The Lineup
The new earbuds will feature a new design focused on comfort. Another significant improvement would be a USB-C port on the charging case instead of the Lightning port. Currently, only the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) feature a USB-C port, while all the other models come with the outdated Lightning port. While these changes apply to both the new models, Apple could restrict some features on the more expensive mid-tier earbuds.
Mid-Tier AirPods To Get These New Features
For instance, the mid-tier AirPods, or the successor to the AirPods (3rd Generation), could feature active noise cancelation, which helps remove the background noise while listening to music. This would make the AirPods (4th Generation) a compelling upgrade over the current generation model, which doesn’t feature ANC. Like the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), the purported mid-tier earbuds could also come with Find My speakers, a nifty feature that helps users locate the charging case by playing a sound through the Find My app.
It is important to mention that only the non-Pro earbuds will get updates this year, leaving the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), which could get a refresh next year. Apart from changes in the hardware, the company will also add some new features via the software. Apple’s iOS 18 will feature a hearing aid mode and a hearing test for the earbuds. While the features should be present on the new AirPods models, it is unclear which older models will get them.
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