The original AirPod Pros were released in March of 2019 and haven’t seen a notable update since then. That’s why many Apple users are hoping for upgrades to these premium earbuds. It seems as though these headphones will be getting an overhaul in the next year. Specific changes and updates to the AirPod Pro are mostly rumors at this point, but it’s still fun to speculate!
What? An updated version of the AirPod Pro.
When? We expect the new Air-Pods Max Pro to launch at Apple’s Unleashed event on Monday, 18 October 2021.
Cost?
- AirPods with charging case: £159 / US$159 / AU$249
- AirPods with wireless case: £199 / US$199 / AU$319
- AirPods Pro: £249 / US$249 / AU$399
- AirPods Max: £549 / US$549 / AU$899
When will we see the AirPod Pro 2?
There is some debate about when the AirPod Pro 2 will be released. Apple has not yet confirmed a release date for the updated in-ear headphones. They were rumored to launch last April, but they did not. There has been some speculation that the delay occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now some sources claim they’ll be released at the end of 2021, or (more likely) in 2022. So, while there’s still a significant amount of time before the new Airpod Pro launches, we’re still getting excited about their potential new features now!
Price for the new AirPod Pro 2
The price for the new AirPod Pro has not been confirmed. However, the current AirPod Pro costs $249 USD. When they launched at this price, they were the most expensive wireless headphones on the market, but they sold well even at this high price point. This makes us speculate that the AirPod Pro 2 version will be similarly priced or could even be more expensive.
There have been some rumors of a more inexpensive version of the AirPod Pro, which has been referred to as the AirPod Pro Lite. While it’s unclear when this version will come out (or if it will be released at all!), it could be a great option for those looking for a cost-effective purchase while still enjoying the benefits of the AirPod Pros! We’ll see whether this version makes it to production or not.
Design Updates for the New AirPod Pro 2
There are some rumors that suggest the new AirPods Pro could include a redesign of the signature AirPod shape. This would come from reducing the long stems that come down from the main in-ear portion of the buds.
Feature Updates to the AirPod Pro 2
A number of upgrades and changes have been leaked regarding the AirPod Pro 2. It’s hard to say which features will make it into the final design, but read on for everything we’ve heard about so far!
Lossless audio upgrade
Apple announced its plans to start streaming all Apple Music in lossless high-res audio. Some data is lost from the original file with audio compression, resulting in some degradation of the audio quality. Lossless audio essentially means you’re getting all of the original data, so you’re listening to the sound at its highest possible quality. Currently, AirPods are not able to play lossless audio. It would make a lot of sense to upgrade the Apple audio devices to be able to play these higher-res files, so we anticipate seeing an update to the new AirPods that allows for lossless audio.
Improved noise cancellation
Apple might be working on improving noise cancellation and enriching audio on the new AirPods. Noise-canceling has a tendency to use up a lot of battery power, so the new AirPods Pro 2 may include the ability to turn the noise-canceling up or down so that you have it when you need it, and can save battery when you don’t.
Additional fitness data tracking
The Apple Watch isn’t the only Apple device getting fitness usage upgrades! It’s likely, based on rumors and leaked information, that the AirPod Pro 2 will have upgraded sensors and fitness data tracking abilities. The exact features that will allow for these changes haven’t been discovered. However, there are other earbuds on the market from competitors that track fitness info such as steps, heartbeat, miles traveled, pace, and more. It’s possible that Apple will combine data from the Apple Watch and AirPods to get even more accurate wellness data.
Better battery life
Longer battery life is one of the top user desires for the AirPods. It’s fairly likely that the AirPods Pro 2 will be powered by the H1 chip. If it is, we may see 50 percent or more talk and playtime!
Other potential updates:
- Audio Share may allow music or audio to play through multiple sets of AirPods from the same audio source. Meaning you and your friend can listen to the same song at the same time.
- Even more in-depth fitness data for athletes, maybe including specific measurements for user movements.
- Gesture controls that would allow users to control their AirPods with movements. It’s unclear exactly how that would work, but potential trigger actions might be moving your head, waving your hands, etc.
Updates from iOS 15 for AirPods
With the introduction of iOS 15, AirPods will get a few updates! AirPods will now be able to announce notifications with Siri. This means you won’t have to look at the notification on your phone screen. Instead, you’ll be able to hear its contents through the AirPods.
Another update coming to the AirPods courtesy of the iOS update is that the Find My app will now integrate with AirPods Pro and Max. Both versions will now start making a sound when you’re close to them while using the Find My app to help you locate the earbuds. Or, you can use Proximity View in the app for even more information. Plus, there’s a new ‘Separation Alert’ that will let you know if you leave your AirPods behind. If you’ve been waiting for an update on the current AirPod Pro before you purchase, the new and improved earbuds are coming soon!
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