When Will Apple Bring Out the Next Generation of AirPods?
As of September 2023, Apple has officially announced the launch of the AirPods 4 on September 20th. For detailed information and reviews, you can explore my latest blog post.
Apple’s Official Announcements and Speculation
When it comes to tech giants like Apple, it's important to trust official announcements. Apple's recent moves have indicated that the new AirPods will be released on the announced date. This has led some to question the value of asking when the next AirPods might be released, as the answer is essentially set in stone. The anticipation of AirPods 4 has been marked by numerous teasers and leaks, but nothing has come to fruition yet.
Leaked Images and Rumors
Recently-leaked images from a tech publication named 52audio claim to offer the first real-world look at the redesigned AirPods 3. These images highlight the smaller stem in-ear design and a redesigned battery case. Industry insiders, such as Kuo and Bloomberg, also predict the release of AirPods 3 sometime in 2021, although there is no definitive timeline provided.
Current Market Conditions and Delays
Despite the leak suggesting a near release, the current consensus is that the AirPods will have to wait until 2021. According to industry experts, AirPods Pro, which were introduced in October 2019, are already available, and it's unlikely that Apple will release yet another set of AirPods in quick succession.
The highly respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in July 2023 that there would be no new AirPods this year. Nikkei Asian Review reported as early as May 2023 that the next set of standard AirPods might be postponed until 2021 due to the global health crisis. A paywalled DigiTimes report also claims that new AirPods will appear in the first half of 2021. These reports suggest a delay in the release of new AirPods.
More recently, Jon Prosser, a well-known Apple analyst, backed up the theory that we won't see the new AirPods until March 2021.
Apple’s Plans for AirPods Pro
The introduction of AirPods Pro in 2019 marked a significant leap in the sound and design of the wireless earbuds. With wireless charging, transparency mode, and noise-canceling, the Pro model has set a high standard. However, there are indications that Apple is planning some massive changes to the Pro model to help it compete better with alternatives from Samsung and Sony. No specific pricing details have been revealed yet, but it's expected that the Pro model will see improvements in functionality and design.
Given the industry hype surrounding the next generation of AirPods, tech enthusiasts and consumers are eagerly awaiting what Apple has in store. While the next extension of the AirPods family is likely to be in the first half of 2021, only time will tell what improvements and features the new models will bring to the table.