Whispers in the tech world hint at Apple's upcoming launch of the AirPods 4th generation. According to the inside scoop from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple seems poised to drop not one but two versions of the AirPods 4, offering diverse price ranges.
The buzz is that the standard AirPods 4 will likely pack active noise cancellation (ANC), bid farewell to the Lightning port in favour of USB-C charging, and even sport speakers for those handy Find My alerts. It's a notable shift since USB Type C ports have been exclusive to the AirPods Pro lineup until now.
In terms of design, the AirPods 4 are anticipated to fuse elements from both the existing AirPods and AirPods Pro. Rumour has it they'll have shorter stems for a better fit, but we're not sure yet if Apple's throwing in silicone tips. Gurman further suggests that Apple plans to introduce hearing aid capabilities, potentially positioning these earbuds as an Over The Counter (OTC) hearing aid substitute. Through a software update, the AirPods are poised to detect signs of hearing loss in users.
The AirPods 4 might hit the scene around 2024, probably rolling out in September alongside the new iPhone 16 models. Also, there's talk about Apple dropping a fresh version of the AirPods Max, but mainly with some new colours. According to Gurman, a fancier, more expensive version of the AirPods Pro could show up in 2025, boasting a new comfy design and a faster chip.