We expect Apple to launch a new design of its entry-level AirPods soon, and which, according to versions of “AirPods 3”, was shared today.
The design of the non-Pro AirPods has remained unchanged since their launch in 2016, but it is now clear that this will change this year …
Background
Apple first introduced AirPods in December 2016, and the distinctive design quickly became a ubiquitous face around the world. The long stem was one of the design elements that made them so instantly recognizable.
A 2nd-generation model was released in 2019, which adds wireless charging and Hey Siri support, but the design remains unchanged. Later that year, Apple added Air AirPods Pro to the range with active noise cancellation.
AirPods Pro, which was also introduced in 2019, was easy to distinguish from the earlier models thanks to shorter stems, and it is expected that the design will move to the next version of the standard AirPods. This was first reported by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and later by Bloomberg.
The design of the updated entry-level AirPods will be similar to the current AirPods Pro, which will have a shorter stem and replaceable earbuds. Apple also wants to improve battery life. However, this model does not have higher-end AirPods Pro features like noise cancellation.
AirPods 3 design and footage
We made our first claim to the AirPods 3 design last month, and new versions were shared today by GizmoChina.
Prior to the launch, we received a new set of AirPods 3 versions from suppliers. The design displayed in the versions is probably the final version that will be available in the market for everyone to buy.
The design is similar to the previous version leaks, similar to the design of the AirPods Pro. It turns out that the AirPods 3 has a shorter stem and will come with replaceable earbuds, similar to what we saw with the company AirPods Pro.
But as AirPods mimics the design of AirPods Pro, we expect a redesign of the latter, with reports suggesting that Apple may eliminate the strain altogether. However, the report warns that this is not yet certain.
Not everyone will be happy with the AirPods 3 design. A reader poll found that more than 40% of you prefer the existing design over that of the current Pro, and my colleague José Adorno said he finds the Pro design less comfortable.
We may not have long to wait. If rumors of an Apple event on March 23 are correct, it’s probably time to start.
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