New AirPods 3 rumors
- According to Chinese website 52audio.com, Apple will release its third-generation AirPods with a design reminiscent of the AirPods Pro.
- The site also claims that Apple’s new earbuds could feature a square-shaped case, not unlike the case for the AirPods Pro.
- The same rumors further suggested that Spatial Audio (a feature previously included only in higher-end AirPods) could be supported.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (reliability: 80.95%) and accurate leaker Mark Gurman (reliability: 84.38%) claimed that AirPods 3 will be released in the first half of 2021, possibly at an event in March — although this hasn’t been confirmed officially.
Other rumors have suggested that these new AirPods will feature a design akin to Apple’s current AirPods Pro with shorter, thinner and flatter stems with support for touch-based controls. However, there is a lack of information or consensus on the earbud tips that will be used in these new AirPods. In some images, the AirPods 3 appear to sport silicone ear tips similar to the current AirPods Pro. These ear tips allow the AirPods Pro to create a firm seal in the ear and assist the noise cancellation capabilities, something the regular AirPods do not have. If the AirPods 3 did ship with silicone ear tips, the passive noise cancellation of the earbuds would be dramatically improved in comparison to the current AirPods 2.
From 9to5Mac:
According to 52audio and a provided caption of the leaked image, the new AirPods will feature a pressure-relieving system, the same technology featured in the AirPods Pro. The system is meant to equalize pressure within your ear to remove any discomfort from using the AirPods for a prolonged period of time. Based on the image, the charging case will be less rectangular than the case that comes with the AirPods Pro, and more in keeping with the original AirPods case, but with the addition of an LED charging indicator on the front.
Interestingly, the article claims that the high-end AirPods Pro and AirPods Max feature called Spatial Audio will be introduced to the lower-end AirPods 3. This 3D audio technology uses gyroscopic head tracking to determine the position of your head relative to your compatible iPhone or iPad and adjusts the sound from your headphones accordingly. This creates an experience comparable to surround sound for your AirPods which was praised by reviewers and the public alike.
The inclusion of Spatial Audio in the AirPods 3 could increase consumer demand for this new lower-end model, undercut the current AirPods Pro and render them somewhat obsolete (assuming the AirPods Pro aren’t also updated for 2021). However, Active Noise Cancellation hasn’t been rumored to be an included feature, much to the dismay of hard-core ANC users. Regardless, between the compact and comfortable design and highly-competitive feature set, the AirPods 3 seem destined for success.
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