Rumor: AirPods Pro 2 to Launch in Third Quarter of 2022

Apple will release second-generation AirPods Pro in the third quarter of 2022, according to a new rumor allegedly based on supply chain sources.

AirPods Pro Gen 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 2 mockup based on rumors

Apple is developing second-generation AirPods Pro to follow the AirPods 3, with the new high-end earbuds set to come out in 2022, according to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman and respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, neither Gurman nor Kuo have offered a more specific launch window for the next-gen earbuds.

The latest rumor comes from user @FronTron, who on Friday revised a previous claim made in June that "AirPods Pro 2" will be launched by the second quarter of next year "at least." The leaker now predicts Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro will arrive in Q3 2022. The third quarter traditionally encompasses a 92-day window between July 1 and September 30.

While @FronTron has a very limited track record for accurate leaks, the leaker told MacRumors that the tip comes directly from the supply chain and is based on the same source of theirs that predicted AirPods Pro 2 would arrive next year, several days before Kuo said the same thing in a June 30 investors note. While the latter appears to be true, the new information should still be taken with a grain of salt at this point in time.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple is aiming to make the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 more compact by eliminating the short stem that sticks out from the bottom. Apple is said to be testing a "more rounded shape that fills more of a user's ear," but getting the hardware of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ into a chassis that's reduced in size has proven difficult, so the plan could be scrapped, cautions Gurman.

MacRumors received alleged images of the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ that contradict the stemless design rumors, but they're from a source without an established track record and we can't verify their accuracy.

Gurman and Bloomberg's Debby Wu reported in May that Apple's second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ will include updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking. Based on improvements made to the new AirPods 3, other features that are also likely to appear in the second-generation AirPods Pro include an IPX-4 rated water-resistant MagSafe Charging Case, and all-new skin-detect sensors replacing the existing optical sensors.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Onexy Avatar
43 months ago
The stems improve usability so you can properly grab them.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
incoherent_1 Avatar
43 months ago
At this point, I’ve seen analysts state that new AirPods “may” be released in each quarter from Q1 2020 till Q3 2022…

Throw enough at the wall and eventually something sticks.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
soaddk Avatar
43 months ago
They will NOT be stemless. The stem is for interacting with the pod. Since the regular airpods also has the new pinch-interaction apple will not go back to some kind of touch/tap interaction for the pros. As Onexy also points out, the stems act as a handle for adjusting the pods.

Just like Apple is using the notch as a design-element and something unique for apple the stem will also continue to be this.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KrisLord Avatar
43 months ago
I don’t get the dislike on Apple’s part for the stem.

I don’t see the appeal of other brands that are stemless.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rs-mac Avatar
43 months ago
Completely agree with others' points about not dropping the stem.

The one thing I'm hoping for in the 2nd gen is better battery life; even if that means a larger battery.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
43 months ago
Just say at the September iPhone event lol
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)