Following the introduction of AirPods Max in December, Apple reportedly has updates on the way to the rest of its AirPods line in 2021. This year, we expect Apple to introduce a new version of its incredibly popular AirPods and AirPods Pro, bringing major changes for both. Here is everything we know so far.
Update February 22, 2021:
First, Apple is expected to introduce a new version of its basic AirPods with an entirely new design. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the new AirPods will feature a new shape and design “similar to AirPods Pro”, although the analyst did not give details.
Second generation AirPods were initially launched in March 2019, featuring “Hey Siri” support and Qi wireless charging. The general design and shape of the AirPods have remained the same since their original launch in December 2016, so they are late for some kind of visual redesign.
Bloomberg reported in October that Apple is planning to launch new basic AirPods with a shorter stem and replaceable ear tips, corroborating Kuo’s report that the design will be similar to the AirPods Pro. This means that the AirPods 3 would feature an in-ear design , instead of resting on your ear like today’s AirPods do.
If AirPods and AirPods Pro have a similar design, what differentiates them and helps Apple justify the higher price of AirPods Pro? According Bloomberg, AirPods would not have advanced AirPods Pro features, such as noise cancellation and transparency mode.
Recently leaked images from 52audio they also claim to offer our first view of the real world on the redesigned AirPods 3. Here we can see the smaller stem, the in-ear design and the redesigned battery case.
As far as a launch, Kuo and Bloomberg expects Apple to launch AirPods 3 in 2021. Pricing information is unclear, but at least one report has suggested that AirPods 3 will cost about 20% less than AirPods Pro, indicating a price of $ 199.
Apple currently sells AirPods with a wired charging case for $ 159 and AirPods with a wireless charging case for $ 199.
Meanwhile, Apple is also planning a new version of AirPods Pro in 2021, again with a completely new design. This time, Apple is planning to make the AirPods Pro look a bit like some of the competitors in the Amazon and Samsung market.
Bloomberg reported that the second generation AirPods Pro will feature a “more compact” design that removes the stick that sticks out from the bottom of the AirPods Pro. “A test design has a more rounded shape that fills the user’s ear more,” explained the report, comparing the design to Samsung and Amazon offerings.
For those unfamiliar, the Amazon Echo buttons feature a stemless design that is completely round and sits inside the user’s ear.
These changes, however, are not guaranteed. Apple is said to have faced challenges in removing the rod from the AirPods Pro while still including features such as transparency mode, the H1 chip and noise cancellation. As such, Apple may decide on a less ambitious redesign of the AirPods Pro.
Another change expected with the AirPods Pro in 2021 is a redesigned charging case. The redesigned AirPods Pro charging case will retain a thickness of 21 mm, while being 46 mm high and 54 mm wide. For comparison, the current AirPods Pro charging case measures 45.2 mm high and 60.6 mm wide.
One possibility here is that Apple is adjusting the design of the AirPods Pro charging case to include support for MagSafe. Currently, AirPods Pro can be charged to the MagSafe disk, but the charging case does not magnetically connect to it. Apple would also have to redesign the charging case if it plans to change the shape of the headphones themselves.
AirPods Pro 2 is expected to be priced at the same $ 249 as the current AirPods Pro, and reports suggest that a launch could arrive as early as April.
Take from 9to5Mac
Apple’s decision to redesign the AirPods’ format is probably controversial. There are many people who actively prefer the design of the AirPods over the in-ear adjustment of the AirPods Pro. In fact, a poll of 9to5Mac Readers last month indicated that 42% of readers prefer AirPods design compared to 53% who prefer AirPods Pro.
However, it makes sense for Apple to unify the design of AirPods and make basic AirPods more customizable. Apple currently refers to AirPods as having a “universal fit”, which essentially just means that they are “unique size”.
Apple’s decision to include different sizes of ear tips in the box with AirPods is likely to make them attractive to a broader set of users who would not otherwise like the “universal” design.
On the other hand, the redesign of the AirPods Pro certainly sounds intriguing, but again, changes in the design of the headphones are always controversial. Removing the rod and opting for a rounded design is an important change in the design of the AirPods Pro.
What’s interesting is that we haven’t heard any details about the new features for AirPods or AirPods Pro yet. All reports so far have been based on supply chain sources, which generally only have insights into the physical design of the products, not new features. of potential software.
What do you think of the rumors about AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2? Are you looking forward to rumors of design changes or do you prefer the current design?
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