One is for budget-conscious folks, while the other offers the AirPods Pro features in regular AirPods’ design.
Apple is preparing for its most ambitious AirPods launch yet, with new low and mid-tier models expected to be released in September. These next-generation earbuds aim to replace the existing second and third AirPods Generations with advanced features and design improvements that promise to enhance user experience.
New AirPods Models to Expect in 2024
Apple plans to release two new models of AirPods this 2024. This will only include the AirPods line, not the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
The upcoming models are part of Apple’s big plan to overhaul its AirPods with a large production run of 20 million to 25 million units. This production will begin in May at the GoerTek Inc. and Luxshare Precision Industry Co.
The new models are codenamed B768(E) for the “entry” level and B768(M) for the “mid-tier”.
These AirPods will both have USB-C charging cases. Aside from that, the update will also likely remove the long stems from the second-generation AirPods. We can expect them to look a bit more like the AirPods Pro in terms of shape. But, they still won’t have replaceable tips like the AirPods Pro.
The entry and mid-tier models will have clear differences.
The mid-tier model will include active noise cancellation (ANC) and a Find My feature in the case. These features used to be exclusive to the AirPods Pro line.
Adding ANC in the mid-tier model is Apple’s way of making high-end features more accessible. This aims to increase sales of the base models, which have had difficulty due to their pricing being too close to the more feature-rich Pro version.
The entry-level model, on the other hand, are expected to only provide the basic features as they will come with a more affordable price tag.
Will There Be New AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Models This Year?
The updates to other AirPods models will take a more subtle approach.
For the AirPods Pro, a completely new model isn’t expected until 2025. This is because Apple is focusing on adding new software features.
One big software update we’re looking forward to is a hearing aid mode, coming in the fall of 2024 with iOS 18.
On the other hand, the AirPods Max is set to get an update this year, but don’t expect big changes.
The updates include a USB-C charging port, the ability to play audio via a wire, an upgrade to Bluetooth 5.3 for better connection quality, and some new colors to choose from. As these upgrades are minor, the new AirPods Max will still be considered “first-generation”.
Other Upcoming AirPods Updates
Apple is also preparing for some more big changes with its AirPods.
This fall, as part of the new iOS 18 update, they’re releasing a special mode for AirPods Pro that turns them into a kind of hearing aid. This move makes the AirPods more attractive for people who might struggle to hear well in noisy places.
They already have features like Live Listen and Conversation Boost, which make it easier to hear voices. Studies have shown these can really make a difference, almost like the more expensive hearing aids out there. But, the new hearing aid mode is expected to take these to a higher level.
But Apple isn’t stopping there. Looking ahead, the company is also exploring the idea of adding cameras to AirPods.
This project, known as B798, would let future AirPods scan the environment. It would offer users augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities right from their ears.
With these cameras, future AirPods could help users understand their surroundings better using voice commands. This means you could interact with your surroundings and get many of the benefits of smart glasses without actually having to wear them.