Apple is rumoured to be gearing up for a significant launch within its AirPods product line sometime this year. This forthcoming release is anticipated to be one of the most substantial in terms of scale and impact compared to previous AirPods launches. The tech giant is purportedly planning an extensive production run of approximately 25 million units for its upcoming AirPods models.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple will launch the product this year and the production for the same will begin at around May this year. The upcoming AirPods iterations are internally identified by the codenames B768(E) and B768(M), representing their respective positions as successors to the second-gen and third-gen models. The designation ‘E’ signifies the “entry” level, while ‘M’ denotes the “mid-tier,” indicating potential variations in pricing between the two models.
The mid-tier variant of the AirPods is slated to carry a higher price tag, offering features such as active noise cancellation and integrated Find My speaker capabilities. Notably, this release marks the debut of such advanced functionalities in the non-Pro lineup of AirPods, with the standard AirPods receiving their first update in over two years.
What Does Apple Have In Store For Its Consumers?
According to the report, the forthcoming AirPods will feature a redesigned look, and improved comfort, and will be accompanied by USB-C cases.
Upgrades are planned solely for the standard AirPods range this year, while the Pro series is set to receive a refresh next year. Additionally, there’s an intriguing project underway involving AirPods equipped with low-resolution cameras for environmental scanning, slated for release in a few years.
Apple is said to be preparing specific software enhancements to accompany the launch of the new AirPods, expected to be integrated into iOS 18. These anticipated updates encompass a hearing aid mode and a hearing test tailored specifically for AirPods users.