AirPods Pro 2 Rumors: Everything We Heard About Apple’s Upcoming Headphones

Apple hasn’t updated the AirPods Pro since their launch in 2019. In addition to gaining a MagSafe compatible box in 2021, wireless headphones have largely remained the same and have remained priced at $ 249 (£ 239, AU $ 399) when not on sale. According to several rumors, this is about to change. A new version of AirPods Pro with a refreshed design and other improvements could debut this year, if the reports turn out to be true.

The stream AirPods Pro brought more premium features like active noise cancellation and a customizable fit to Apple’s wireless headphones. Based on the reports we’ve seen so far, the second-gen model will add other improvements such as a sleeker rodless design, new charging case, and fitness capabilities. Such changes could be important for Apple to remain competitive against competitors like Samsung, Bose and Sony.

Read more: The best wireless headphones for 2022

AirPods were originally marketed as a companion to the iPhone 7, Apple’s first smartphone without a headphone jack. But in the five years since their launch, AirPods have become the world’s most popular wireless headphones. Apple’s current line of AirPods, alongside the aforementioned AirPods Pro, includes the $ 129 (second generation) AirPods, $ 179 AirPods (third generation) and the on-ear at $ 549 AirPods Max listeners.

Here’s a look at what to expect from the possible AirPods Pro 2.

Read more: Yes, AirPods 2 are still worth buying, even though AirPods 3 are pretty awesome

AirPods Pro 2 will likely launch in 2022, possibly in Q4

Reports from Bloomberg and reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo both indicate the AirPods Pro will arrive in 2022. But it’s unclear exactly when we can expect to see the debut.

Kuo predicts the AirPods Pro 2 will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a research note obtained by MacRumors. This suggests that they could be part of The Apple Product Blitz which usually takes place towards the end of the year. For example, Apple announced the iPhone 13
range, the Apple Watch Series 7, AirPods 3 and a new range of MacBook Pro laptops in September and October. Bloomberg, on the other hand, did not specify a deadline by 2022 for the release of the AirPods Pro 2.

Read more: When is the next Apple event?

AirPods Pro 2 can lose rods

Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to the shiny white rods AirPods have had since their launch in 2016. Apple’s upcoming AirPods Pro could have a more understated, rodless look similar to the Beats Studio Buds, according to Bloomberg. This report only says that Apple is testing this type of design, so it’s not clear if this will be the final product design.

If this change is made, it would be the first time that Apple has significantly redesigned its true wireless headphones since the first. AirPods Pro launched in 2019. It would also make AirPods Pro look like competing headphones from Samsung, Amazon and Bose, among others.

It also raises the question of how Apple will implement touch controls on the upcoming AirPods Pro model. The rods on the current version of the house Apple Force Sensor, which lets you control media playback and access Siri. Without the rods, Apple would probably have to place these touch controls on the earbuds themselves, much the same as Beats Studio Buds.

The AirPods Pro 2 could also receive a new case, according to the Japanese blog Macotakara. This makes sense considering that the case would have to be slightly different to match the new design of the heads. The report gives the dimensions of this new case as being the same as the case of AirPods 3, which is water resistant (unlike other Apple AirPods).

A recent note from Kuo investors, seen by AppleInsider and 9to5Mac, indicates that the charging case for the next generation AirPods Pro will also be be able to make a sound. It is said to make it easier to find a lost or misplaced case. In his note, Kuo adds that the AirPods Pro 2 will also feature lossless audio.

Read more: AirPods Pro 2 could get a redesign that ditch the iconic rods, and that’s a real shame

They may have fitness tracking features

AirPods can do a lot of things, but activity monitoring is not one of them. Apple could change that soon enough with the AirPods Pro 2, which will include updated motion tracking sensors for fitness tracking, according to Bloomberg.

The report doesn’t go into details, but a 2017 Apple patent application suggests it may explore ways to measure biometric signals using headphones.

Apple would join companies like Jabra and Amazon, both of which already offer fitness-focused features in their respective wireless headphones. Jabra’s elite sport the headphones can track the number of repetitions during workouts and heart rate, while the Amazon Echo Buds
can follow the workouts.

Read more: Best workout headphones for 2022

What else do we expect from the AirPods Pro 2

While Apple hasn’t said anything about its future plans for AirPods, we can infer a lot based on the AirPod 3. For example, the $ 179 AirPods offer slightly more battery life than the more expensive AirPods Pro. and second-generation AirPods. It seems plausible that Apple is improving the battery life of the AirPods Pro 2 to at least match, if not exceed, that of the AirPods 3.

It also wouldn’t be surprising to see the upcoming AirPods Pro win the AirPods 3 Skin detection sensor, which can more accurately detect when an AirPod comes in contact with the wearer’s ear compared to a different surface.

Read more: Our iPhone SE wishlist: we want to see these upgrades in 2022

Another lingering question is how much will the AirPods Pro 2 cost. Apple sells the current AirPods Pro for $ 249, although you can usually find them cheaper elsewhere. We don’t know anything for sure about Apple’s future plans.

But if Apple abandons the original AirPods Pro when he announces the new ones – a strong possibility – he could keep the price of $ 249 for the new model. Apple didn’t change the standard price for AirPods when it launched second-generation AirPods in 2019. And while AirPods Pro can be a bit pricey compared to some of Apple’s competitors, their popularity has proven that people are willing to pay a higher price. .

If the rumors are correct, it looks like the new design and fitness tracking capabilities will be the biggest improvements we can expect. These changes might not be enough to influence anyone who has recently purchased the AirPods Pro. But they could be big enough to convince those who bought the originals in 2019 to upgrade. We will have to wait for Apple to make an announcement to be sure.

For more information, see how to find the best AirPods deals, the CNET list of best Apple headphones for 2022 and 21 AirPods Tricks You’ll Want To Try today. You can also take a look at all the rumors we have gathered on the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE3.

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