Rumors suggest Apple could be launching two new AirPods alongside the iPhone 16 line next month
Apple fans have the highlight anticipated iPhone 16 to look forward to next month along with the Apple Watch Series 10.
But there might be even more to look forward to.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple could be launching two versions of its fourth-generation AirPods wireless earbuds soon.
Two versions reportedly mean there will be a budget-friendly option with more basic capabilities than its more expensive counterpart.
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The more expensive model is set to include active noise cancellation (ANC). This is expected to take over from the third-generation AirPods which were released in 2021 and are currently priced at $179.
Whereas the lower-priced model would likely replace the second-generation AirPods in Apple's lineup, which launched in 2019 and currently costs around $129.
However, both models will look the same, according to Gurman.
The third-generation AirPods Pro are speculated to launch at a later date, towards 2025.
Although little is still known about the details of these gadgets, what we do know is that the two new fourth-generation AirPods are codenamed B768(E) and B768(M), according to the insider.
The E stands for entry-level and the M stands for mid-tier.
If Gurman's report is accurate, the higher-priced fourth-generation AirPods will be the first non-Pro AirPods to include ANC.
Currently, the only AirPods with ANC are the second-generation AirPods Pro, which cost $249.
Apple is also planning to update the charging cases for the AirPods lineup to include a USB-C port, replacing the current Lightning port.
This change would match the AirPods charging case with the iPhone 15 series and some iPad models. With the tech giant seemingly moving towards USB-C ports for all its devices, this update seems strategically timed.
As a result of the new launches, Apple will most likely phase out the second-generation AirPods from its lineup, meaning the third-generation model could remain but at a much lower price.
According to analytical firm Canalys, AirPods held a 24% share of the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) market in the first quarter of this year, far ahead of competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi, who each have an 8% share.
Despite this strong performance, Apple's Wearables, Home, and Accessories unit, which includes the AirPods, saw a slight 2.2% drop in revenue to $8.1 billion during the fiscal third quarter ending in June.