Following the introduction of AirPods Max in December, Apple reportedly has updates on the way in which for the remainder of its AirPods lineup in 2021. This 12 months, we anticipate Apple to introduce a brand new model of its extremely fashionable AirPods and AirPods Professional, bringing main adjustments to each of them. Right here’s every part we all know to date.
Replace February 22, 2021:
Before everything, Apple is predicted to introduce a brand new model of its entry-level AirPods with an all-new design. Dependable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the brand new AirPods will characteristic a brand new type issue and design “just like AirPods Professional,” although the analyst didn’t provide any particulars.
The second-generation AirPods had been initially launched in March 2019, bringing “Hey Siri” help and Qi wi-fi charging. The general design and type issue of AirPods has stayed the identical since their authentic launch in December 2016, so they’re overdue for some type of visible redesign.
Bloomberg reported in October that Apple is planning to launch new entry-level AirPods with a shorter stem and replaceable ear suggestions, corroborating Kuo’s reporting that the design will probably be just like the AirPods Professional. Which means that AirPods 3 would characteristic an in-ear design, fairly than resting in your ear like the present AirPods do.
If AirPods and AirPods Professional characteristic an analogous design, what differentiates them and helps Apple justify the higher-price of AirPods Professional? In keeping with Bloomberg, the AirPods would lack higher-end AirPods Professional options like noise cancellation and transparency mode.
Lately-leaked photographs from 52audio additionally declare to supply our first real-world take a look at the redesigned AirPods 3. Right here we are able to see the smaller stem, in-ear design, and redesigned battery case.
So far as a launch, each Kuo and Bloomberg anticipate Apple to launch AirPods 3 someday in 2021. Pricing data is unclear, however a minimum of one report has instructed that AirPods 3 will value roughly 20% lower than AirPods Professional, which signifies a $199 value level.
Apple presently sells AirPods with wired charging case for $159 and AirPods with wi-fi charging case for $199.
In the meantime, Apple can be reportedly planning a brand new model of AirPods Professional in 2021, once more with a totally new design. This time, Apple is reportedly planning to make AirPods Professional look fairly a bit like a few of the opponents in the marketplace from Amazon and Samsung.
Bloomberg has reported that the second-gen AirPods Professional will characteristic a “extra compact” design that removes the stem that present stands proud from the underside of the AirPods Professional. “A design in testing has a extra rounded form that fills extra of a consumer’s a ear,” the report defined, likening the design to choices from Samsung and Amazon.
For these unfamiliar, the Amazon Echo buds characteristic a stem-less design that’s fully spherical and rests contained in the consumer’s ear.
These adjustments, nonetheless, are usually not assured. Apple is claimed to have confronted challenges eradicating the AirPods Professional stem whereas additionally nonetheless together with options like transparency mode, the H1 chip, and noise cancellations. As such, Apple would possibly decide on a much less formidable redesign of the AirPods Professional.
One other change to anticipate with AirPods Professional in 2021 is a redesigned charging case. The redesigned AirPods Professional charging case will reportedly stay 21mm thick, whereas it will likely be 46mm tall and 54mm huge. For comparability’s sake, the present AirPods Professional charging case measures in at 45.2mm tall and 60.6mm huge.
One risk right here is that Apple is adjusting the design of the AirPods Professional charging case to incorporate help for MagSafe. At present, AirPods Professional may be charged on the MagSafe puck, however the charging case doesn’t magnetically connect to it. Apple would even have to revamp the charging case if it plans to vary the shape issue of the earbuds themselves.
AirPods Professional 2 are anticipated to be priced on the similar $249 value level as the present AirPods Professional, and experiences have instructed a launch might come as quickly as April.
9to5Mac’s Take
Apple’s determination to revamp the shape issue of AirPods is prone to be controversial. There are lots of individuals who actively desire the AirPods design over the in-ear match of AirPods Professional. Actually, a ballot of 9to5Mac readers final month indicated that 42% of readers desire the AirPods design in comparison with 53% preferring the AirPods Professional.
Nonetheless, it is sensible for Apple to unify the AirPods design and make the entry-level AirPods extra customizable. At present, Apple refers back to the AirPods as having a “common match,” which primarily simply means they’re “one-size-fits-all.”
Apple’s determination to incorporate totally different ear tip sizes within the field with AirPods will seemingly make them attraction to a broader set of customers who in any other case wouldn’t just like the “common” design.
Alternatively, the redesigned AirPods Professional actually sound intriguing, however once more, design adjustments to headphones and earbuds are at all times sure to be controversial. Eradicating the stem and going for a rounded design is a serious design change for AirPods Professional.
What’s fascinating is that we haven’t but heard any particulars about new options for AirPods or AirPods Professional. All the experiences to date have been primarily based on provide chain sources, which frequently solely have perception into the bodily design of merchandise, not potential new software program options.
What do you consider the AirPods 3 and AirPods Professional 2 rumors? Are you trying ahead to the rumored design adjustments or do you favor the present design?
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