Apple plans to bring major AirPods Pro feature to the non-Pro model next year،
Apple plans to offer two different versions of its non-Pro AirPods next year, according to Bloomberg.
Mark Gurman in his weekly newsletter “Power On”. Gurman says the third-generation version of its true wireless Bluetooth earbuds, priced at $179, lacks major features that differentiate it from the second-generation AirPods, priced at $129. And without something compelling to entice them to buy the third-generation AirPods, consumers are choosing the cheaper model.
Sometimes,
Apple will lose a sale to competitors who sell wireless earbuds that are cheaper but with features that rival AirPods Pro. Gurman says Apple's solution to this problem will be to release a pair of new non-Pro AirPods next year. He says to expect two new fourth-generation AirPods models, both with refreshed earbuds, redesigned charging cases, and a USB-C port. One of the two new 2024 AirPods will steal a feature from the more expensive AirPods
Pro.
For the first time, if Gurman is correct, the high-end, non-Pro version of the AirPods will offer active noise cancellation (ANC). This feature will be made available to consumers at a lower price and may encourage them to purchase more expensive fourth-generation AirPods. As for the next version of Apple's premium wireless earbuds, we should see Apple launch the third-generation AirPods Pro model in 2025.
The current range of AirPods
Another AirPods model is expected to undergo some changes next year: the over-ear AirPods Max. Gurman says Apple isn't making enough money from the Max units currently sold to invest more time and money into developing hardware and software changes and features for the product. But what Apple will do next year, according to the report, is ship the AirPods Max with a USB-C charger replacing the Lightning port, and possibly add new colors. The new AirPods Max could be introduced at the same time as the two new AirPods models.
Apple also plans to add a major health-related feature to AirPods, which would allow them to be used as hearing aids. This software upgrade could happen next year and would propel Apple into the middle of a market that generated $5.9 billion in global sales last year.
