While Apple’s AirPods 3 are fantastic headphones, they face stiff competition – so strong that neither the AirPods 2 nor the newer third generation AirPods appear in our list of the best wireless earbuds. One reason for this is the lack of active noise cancellation, but it appears that this year’s models will include this feature.
According to Bloomberg’s well-connected Mark Gurman, Apple intends to release two new versions of AirPods this year, replacing both the second and third generation. With production allegedly starting in May, the analyst predicts a September or October launch.
According to Gurman, Apple suppliers are preparing for “the biggest AirPods launch ever”. AirPods Pro, meanwhile, aren’t slated to be updated until the next year, but the difference between Pro and non-Pro versions appears to be narrowing significantly this year. Surprisingly, there was no word on the much-anticipated AirPods Max 2.
What AirPods enhancements can we expect in 2024?
According to Gurman, Apple is developing two new AirPods 4 models, one with a codename ending in E (for Entry Level) and one with an ending in M (for Mid-tier). Both versions will have many similarities, but their features and prices will differ slightly. While we first heard speculations about the new models in late 2023, we still don’t know how much they would cost.
Both new versions have been updated to be more comfortable and fit better, and both will include USB-C charging cases. However, the main distinction between the E and M models is that the M version will include ANC. That’s a first for the non-Pro AirPods and a significant update. At the moment, if you want ANC-capable AirPods, you’ll have to spring for the more pricey AirPods Pro 2, which are among the best noise cancelling earphones.
This year’s AirPods updates will include more than just new hardware. According to Gurman, Apple is also working on several AirPods upgrades for iOS 18, including the intriguing “hearing aid mode” for AirPods Pro 2. Gurman claims that Apple is also working creating a hearing test feature for the best AirPods, and that in the long run, it’s still thinking about adding small, low-resolution cameras to AirPods to transmit data to an undefined artificial intelligence system.
For me, the most intriguing of the alleged features is ANC in AirPods. When the AirPods 3 first debuted, we stated that rivals with ANC tended to cost slightly more than Apple’s earbuds, but two years later, the intensely competitive earbuds market means that the Sony WF-C700N and Nothing Ear (2) are offering excellent ANC for significantly less money than Apple’s current pricing. If Apple prices the ANC AirPods 4 correctly, the 2024 earbuds might be a tremendous success.
