Apple is gearing up for its annual iPhone launch, rumoured to be happening in September, but it is also thought the tech giant is getting ready to update its audiorange by introducing brand new versions of its wildly popular wireless AirPods earbuds too.
Leaks suggest Apple will hold an event on 10th September to launch the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These phones are set to be the first from the firm to run Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI tools it has created to help you do more with your phone, but also to compete with Google’s Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI software on rival smartphone handsets.
If you’re happy with your iPhone you may not want to upgrade, but if you’re in need of some new wireless earbuds then you might want to hold off if you’ve been thinking of picking up AirPods. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will also use its September event to overhaul its AirPods range, and is set to introduce two new models – both a regular set of AirPods to replace the current third-generation AirPods, as well as a more advanced model with active noise cancellation (ANC).
Earlier this year he reported that two new models would launch to add USB-C to their cases, with the more expensive model getting Find My and ANC.
Confusingly, it’s not thought these will be a replacement for, or update to, the current second-generation AirPods Pro. Instead, Gurman says Apple will sell two pairs of regular AirPods but one will be an entry-level price while a pricier version will add noise cancellation and some other bells and whistles to attract buyers. Both could be plasitc tipped, and not have the in-ear silicone tips of AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro would then sit atop of the range, but it’s still unclear if Apple would keep the current model, released in September 2022 and updated to include USB-C in 2023, or release a third-generation AirPods Pro.
If Gurman is correct, Apple may well ditch the ageing second-gen AirPods with the older longer stem design, as well as the third-generation AirPods from 2021. Excitingly for bargain hunters, the reliable Apple reporter says Apple could decide to sell these third-gen buds for a discounted price.
They currently start at £169, so if Apple got the price down to about £100 they would make for a very tempting upgrade. The prices of the rumoured new models are not yet known.
