Apple's AirPods product line will undergo multiple changes over the coming year as the company attempts to round out its offerings to consumers in a more streamlined way. A report claims that Apple will update AirPods products in 2024, including two value-for-money versions of AirPods and AirPods Max.
In his "PowerOn" newsletter for Bloomberg on Sunday, Mark Gurman reiterated some of his claims about changes to the AirPods lineup in 2024, doubling down on changes to the lineup after talk of an overhaul earlier in October.
The latest report claims that Apple will produce two versions of its lower-end AirPods, which may solve marketing problems for the product line. The current $179 third-generation mid-range models are clearly “duds,” as they look similar to AirPods Pro but lack their features, and aside from the $129 second-generation model that’s still on sale, they don’t actually offer much in the way of new features.
For the fourth generation, Apple plans to launch two models with design updates and new cases with USB-C charging capabilities. The difference between the two is that the higher-priced model will get active noise cancellation, extending the feature beyond AirPods Pro.
AirPods Max will also get an update, albeit in a more low-key way. Following current trends, Apple will add USB-C connectivity and may also add additional color options.
Gurman believes there is also a software change planned for 2024, namely the development of hearing aid functionality.
AirPods Pro may miss 2024, but an update could arrive in 2025. While features such as body temperature sensing and health tracking are also possible eventually, some suggest Apple will focus on making them more comfortable.