Apple ’s AirPods – which dropped with a mo of controversy and small pastime back in 2016 – score some form of flection point around 2018 , and short became the blistering thing . This was conveniently time for the 2019 updates , as the second - gen and then Pro versions of the AirPods launch to a fresh centripetal populace and sold like the proverbial battercake . Then came the AirPods Max in late 2020 , the tertiary - generation AirPods in 2021 , and the second - gen AirPods Pro in 2022 .
Where next , then , for the AirPods ? In this article we will look at all the unlike AirPods , evaluating when Apple might next update them and the unexampled feature that could arrive with the next generation .
At theApple Eventon September 9 , Apple unveiled the novel AirPods 4 , replacing the 2d and 3rd propagation AirPods . There are two role model , a tatty AirPods 4 and a more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC . The cheaper reading matches up to the anticipation that Apple was plan to launch AirPods Lite .
Apple also update the AirPods Max with a USB - 100 plug , and refreshed the people of color . Nothing else has changed about those models though .
In addition , Apple revealed that new hearing - related feature are coming to the AirPods Pro in 2024 . On September 12 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationannounced that it authorized Apple ’s “ Hearing Aid feature film ” for the AirPods Pro . The engineering science then arrived in late October 2024 . Read aboutHow to set up AirPods Pro 2 to sour as a hearing assistance .
Read on for more entropy about the new AirPods and what ’s expected for the models Apple still has n’t updated .
We also have acomparison of all the AirPods .
Are there new AirPods?
AirPods 4 : Apple updated the standard AirPods in September 2024 . The AirPods 4 replace the 2nd - gen AirPods and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation ( ANC ) exchange the 3rd - gen AirPods . learn ourAirPods 4 with ANC reviewandAirPods 4 vs previous AirPodsto find out what ’s fresh .
AirPods Max : The AirPods Max also had an update in September 2024 , nearly four years after they were introduced in December 2020 , but Apple is n’t recognize it as a generational update . or else , Apple introduced “ New colors ” and has update the plug to USB - C ( replace lightning ) .
AirPods Pro 2 : While the 2nd - gen models were insert in 2022 , in September 2023 they were updated . Apple did n’t see this update important enough for a generational change , so they are still experience as the 2nd generation AirPods Pro , but the ‘ new ’ model that was acquaint in September 2023 derive with a USB - C charging subject ( supersede the lightning larboard ) and slightly good dust proofing . Alongside the USB - degree centigrade charge type , there is also a change to their IP valuation , now IP54 ( which indicates better dustproofing ) . They move on sale on September 22 , 2023 . In September 2024 , Apple reveal that unexampled hearing - related features are come to AirPods Pro . These features arrived in October 2024 with the iOS 18.1 update .
EarPods : Apple last update the pumped up EarPods with a USB - C cable at the September 2023 event , they previously had a Lightning transmission line .
AirPods 4 release date: When will the new AirPods come out?
Below you will see the pricing and where to purchase information for the new AirPods where you are , and the best price from third parties .
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)
Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC)
How much do AirPods cost?
The rumour intimate that Apple was move to insert AirPods LIte at a lower cost , maybe as little as $ 99 . Ming - Chi Kuo cite to$99 as the price target for the AirPods Litein January 2023 . Unfortunately , this is n’t the guinea pig and the entry - level AirPods 4 are $ 129/£129 , while if you want Active Noise Cancellation ( ANC ) that will cost $ 50 more at $ 179/£179 .
Here ’s how much each AirPod model costs right now in the U.S. and U.K. :
Apple used to betray interlingual rendition of the AirPods with and without a MagSafe charging case , the MagSafe pick cost $ 10/£10 more . This is no longer available .
Prior to September 2024 pricing was as follows :
We have a round - up of theBest wireless earbuds for iPhonesand thebest wire headphonesif you ’d like to reckon choice to AirPods . Also readAirPods Pro vs AirPodsto find out how the models compare .
New AirPods features
The AirPods 4 bring in the following new feature film :
The AirPods Max ( 2024 update ) insert the be new feature article :
The AirPods Pro 2 profit young hearing lineament in October 2024 include :
On September 12 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationannounced that it authorized Apple ’s “ Hearing Aid Feature ” for the AirPods Pro . This new feature article arrive with the iOS 18.1 update on October 28 .
Bloomberg ’s Gurman had predicted that see wellness was rifle to be an country of AirPods innovation , write in March 2023that Apple ’s looking at the “ ability to get get a line data of some form . ”
In a report in July 2023 , Gurman predicted , a “ new audience test featurethat will encounter different feel and fathom to permit the AirPods to determine how well a person can take heed . The idea is to help user screen for hearing issues . ”
The AirPods Pro models already had Conversation Boost and Live take heed that go some way to plow them into semi - hearing financial aid .
AirPods updated we are waiting for
That ’s where we are so far , but what new characteristic are expect for the remain AirPods ?
AirPods Pro (3rd-gen): Rumors and release date
The 2nd generation AirPods Pro have been on sale since September 2022 , although Apple did make some change to them in September 2023 .
The next update to the AirPods Pro probably wo n’t come about until 2025 .
When the tertiary - generation AirPods Pro do arrive the indications are that they will get a young intention and some new health - related feature article .
AirPods Max (2nd-gen): Rumors and Release Date
In the winter of 2024 the AirPods Max will be four years old and due an update – peculiarly in the light of competition from other headphone , including Apple ’s own Beats Studio Pro . TheAirPods Max can not even play Apple ’s lossless audiowhich is an skip that needs to be rectified .
In September 2024 Apple made a few updates to the AirPods Max , including a new range of mountains of colors and the addition of USB - C , but there are still missing features , some of which we discuss here : Apple needs to altercate the AirPods Max and start overthese include :
Gurman suggest in an October 2023reportthat the unexampled AirPod Max will come in Modern gloss and pop the question USB - C , but they “ wo n’t see many other changes . ” Gurman ’s prognostication were correct .
It was thought that Apple would incorporate the H2 central processing unit found in the newer AirPods Pro , but it seems that it has n’t done so yet , so that can be expected for the 2nd generation .
Other new features coming to AirPods
There are a few limitations that Apple may be address with new AirPods .
Lossless audio
One area ripe for improvement is the ability to playApple ’s hi - res lossless audio , which the troupe introduced in June 2021 . Bluetooth earphone – admit all of Apple ’s AirPods – aren’t capable of playing audio at this resolve .
Apple will no doubt be look for a way to bring this applied science to the AirPods Max . The AirPods Max , despite their gamey toll , are n’t currently adequate to of playing Apple ’s hi - res lossless audio . An update in 2023 did bring some mental ability to spiel in high spirits - Re audio on these headphones if they are used in the pumped format . user can plug in the AirPods Max via the Lightning to 3.5 mm audio cable and love unspoilt quality auditory sensation , but Apple indicates that “ give the analog - to - digital spiritual rebirth in the cable , the playback will not be whole lossless . ”
Crash Detection
An Applepatentdescribes a way that apparent movement sensing element inside AirPods could help Crash Detection . There have been reports of the iPhone andApple Watch triggering pinch calls , so it is potential Apple will have to mitigate against this happening with the AirPods .
Temperature sensor
The crowing new lineament for the third - gen AirPods Pro will plain be health - relate . Apple is suppose to be looking at organic structure - temperature and health trailing .
The Apple Watch already incorporated a temperature sensor , used mainly for the ovulation cut through feature . Apple is said to be keen to ramp up in body temperature measurement features to its earbuds , the auricle channel is being a good and more accurate root of such data point than a Watch .
fit in to Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman , Apple is operate onadding a temperature sensor to a future set of AirPods . However , we may have to expect a little longer as Gurman is n’t confident that this will be quick for the quaternary generation .
If you ’re incisive to take heed the up-to-the-minute rumors about Apple ’s 2025 plan , the best position to start is our roundup : New Apple product 2025 .
Those interested in the current range should take a look at our roundup of thebest AirPods dealsfor the latest bargains .
