Apple Readying 'Biggest AirPods Launch to Date'; Fourth-Gen Models to Arrive Later This Year: Report

The "mid-tier" fourth-generation AirPods will likely come with active noise cancellation.

Written by Manas Mitul, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 18 March 2024 16:18 IST

Apple Readying 'Biggest AirPods Launch to Date'; Fourth-Gen Models to Arrive Later This Year: Report

Photo Credit: Apple

Apple's current earphones lineup begins with the second-generation AirPods

Highlights

Fourth-generation AirPods will come in two distinct models
AirPods Pro third-generation will likely launch in 2025
AirPods production will reportedly begin in May at GoerTek and Luxshare

Apple is said to be working on revamping its AirPods lineup, with fourth-generation AirPods models set to replace existing entry-level Apple earphones. The new models will reportedly represent the biggest AirPods launch to date and will come with several upgrades, featuring a new design and improvements to the charging case. One of the two fourth-generation AirPods models will also reportedly get active noise cancellation (ANC), previously only available on AirPods Pro models.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple was readying two new fourth-generation entry-level AirPods to replace the existing second and third-generation models. The new models, codenamed B768(E) and B768(M) (the E is said to stand for “entry” and the M represents “mid-tier”), will get a new design, improvements to their fit, and USB Type-C charging cases. Additionally, Gurman said that the mid-tier AirPods will feature ANC and Find My speakers feature in the case to help users locate their missing earphones.

Gurman also said that Apple suppliers were gearing up for “biggest AirPods launch to date,” with overseas vendors about to start production on the new line of truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. “The company is planning to produce 20 million to 25 million units of the earbuds, an increase over prior new models,” he said in the newsletter. Production will reportedly begin in May at GoerTek and Luxshare, with an official release planned around September or October.

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As reported previosly, Apple will likely follow up the fourth-generation AirPods with a new AirPods Pro model in 2025. The third generation AirPods Pro is expected to come with a new earbud design, H3 chip, and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) improvements.

The Cupertino, California-based company is also set to bring updates to its wireless earphones line with the release of iOS 18. AirPods Pro could get a hearing aid mode to help users with impaired hearing, alongside a hearing-test feature.

Apple currently sells a pair of second-generation AirPods for Rs. 12,900 and a third-generation model for Rs. 19,900. Apple refreshed the AirPods Pro model, which comes in at Rs. 24,900, at its ‘Wonderlust' event in September last year, adding a USB Type-C port to the charging case.

Apple 4th Generation AirPods, AirPods Max to Arrive in Late 2024: Report

Apple launched the iPad Pro (2022) and the iPad (2022) alongside the new Apple TV this week. We discuss the company's latest products, along with our review of the iPhone 14 Pro on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Apple AirPods MV7N2HN/A True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Colour White

Headphone Type In-Ear

Microphone Yes

Connectivity True Wireless Stereo (TWS)

Type Earphones

More Apple Headphones & Headset

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design / Comfort
Audio Quality
Battery Life
Value For Money

Good
Comfortable fit, good controls
MagSafe wireless charging
Works well with iOS, Siri, and Apple Music
Good battery life
Very good sound quality and performance on calls

Bad
Expensive
Lack of noise isolation can be bothersome
Full feature set needs an iOS device to use

Read detailed Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones review

Colour White

Headphone Type In-Ear

Microphone Yes

Connectivity True Wireless Stereo (TWS)

Type Earphones

More Apple Headphones & Headset

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Further reading: Apple, AirPods, AirPods Fourth Generation, AirPods Pro

Manas Mitul

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In his time as a journalist, Manas Mitul has written on a wide spectrum of beats including politics, culture and sports. He enjoys reading, walking around in museums and rewatching films. Talk to Manas about football and tennis, but maybe don’t bring up his video game backlog. More