Since the debut of AirPods in 2016, the category of “true wireless earphones” has been developing for nearly eight years. From the initial “expensive” and “easy to lose” to the “really good” that almost everyone has one now, more and more people have accepted this new form of earphones.
At Apple’s launch event this fall, the new fourth-generation AirPods are also expected to become an accessory that attracts more attention. After all, it has been nearly three years since the release of the previous generation AirPods 3.
According to reports released by foreign media, Apple is developing two versions of AirPods, targeting different price ranges. Today we will summarize the current revelations and see what is worth looking forward to.
“Good things come in pairs”
AirPods is a very important product line of Apple, and the standard version of AirPods has also been favored by many users due to its affordable price. In the fourth-generation AirPods, Apple may launch two versions at different prices to meet the needs of more users.
According to leaks, the new fourth-generation AirPods will have two versions. The standard version will continue the functions of the current AirPods 3, while the high-end version will support noise reduction. In addition, the fourth-generation AirPods will adopt a new design language, and its design looks more like a hybrid of AirPods and AirPods Pro, but the earphone handle will be slightly shorter.
Considering that there is a price difference between the standard version and the Pro version, the fourth-generation AirPods will most likely still not adopt a silicone plug design, so the fourth-generation AirPods may become the first semi-in-ear noise-cancelling headphones.
At present, many manufacturers have launched semi-in-ear noise-cancelling headphones on the market. For example, Samsung launched the Galaxy Buds that support noise reduction this year, and Huawei also launched the FreeBuds with semi-in-ear design and noise reduction. Compared with in-ear headphones with silicone protective plugs, semi-in-ear noise-cancelling headphones can provide a more comfortable experience for users with small ear holes and who don’t like silicone plugs. Similarly, since semi-in-ear headphones do not have silicone plugs, there will be no stuffy feeling of obstruction even if noise reduction is turned on, and the experience is more free.
hardBetter performance
Previously, Apple brought adaptive noise control to AirPods Pro. With the help of AI, this feature can help users choose the appropriate noise reduction effect in different scenarios. At the same time, some users also said that after the AirPods Pro update, they almost don’t need to adjust the volume of the headphones, because AirPods can adjust the volume to the most appropriate position by themselves.
All of this stems from the computational audio function that Apple brings to AirPods, which also relies on Apple’s own chips to provide computing power support. According to leaks, the fourth-generation AirPods will most likely be equipped with the same H2 chip as the AirPods Pro. In comparison, the second-generation and third-generation AirPods currently on sale are equipped with H1 chips. From this point of view, the new headphones will also support more intelligent functions.
In addition, the H2 chip can also help with the acoustic experience. Apple has said that the H2 chip can provide a better acoustic experience when used with the new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier in AirPods Pro. With the H2 chip, the new fourth-generation AirPods are also expected to support the same capabilities of AirPods Pro. And thanks to the H2 chip, the fourth-generation AirPods will also have personalized spatial audio, faster pairing and device switching, and longer battery life.
In addition to the H2 chip, the new fourth-generation AirPods will most likely support Bluetooth 5.3, which provides faster and more reliable connectivity and higher power efficiency, helping to extend battery life.
In addition to internal updates, the fourth-generation AirPods will also have minor upgrades to enhance the experience. For example, this headset is likely to use a USB-C interface, support MagSafe charging, and use an Apple Watch charger for power.
“Find” is also a significant improvement of AirPods. Previously, AirPods Pro achieved accurate positioning like AirTag with the small speaker of the internal U1 chip. Of course, adding these hardware does increase the cost, but from the perspective of user experience, bringing accurate search function to the fourth-generation AirPods can also benefit more users.
It is worth mentioning that Apple may add a hearing aid function to AirPods, making AirPods an over-the-counter hearing alternative to traditional hearing aids. Apple has previously provided hearing tests, and the US FDA has approved over-the-counter hearing aids in 2022, which also paves the way for Apple to promote this feature.
Final Thoughts
AirPods should be an indispensable product in the Apple ecosystem and the product with the highest satisfaction in Apple’s history. As early as when it was launched in 2017, overseas research reports showed that up to 98% of users were very satisfied with the product. And today in 2024, it is time for the entry-level AirPods to be fully upgraded. From adding noise reduction to relying on the H2 chip to achieve more intelligent functions, the fourth-generation AirPods can also help more users enjoy the experience that was previously only available with Pro-level products.
If you cannot accept the ear pressure caused by in-ear noise-canceling headphones, or want to enjoy a more complete experience at a more affordable price, I would suggest you wait for the launch conference to be held next week, because the upcoming fourth-generation AirPods may be the device most worth updating this year.
