Apple's AirPods Lineup to Get These Updates in 2024

Apple plans to upgrade its entire AirPods lineup this year in one form or another, with a combination of new model launches and upcoming software updates for existing devices.

airpods school
Whether you're holding out for the next generation of AirPods or AirPods Max, or just want to know what new features are on the way for your current earbuds, keep reading for the full lowdown on what to expect.

AirPods

Fourth-generation AirPods are expected to arrive in late 2024, with Apple planning to release two versions at different price points. Both models will feature a redesigned look, including a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, shorter stems similar to the AirPods Pro, along with an updated fit and enhanced audio quality.

The higher-end version is expected to include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), making ANC available at a lower price point for the first time. They are also likely to have a speaker in the charging case that can play a sound for Find My location tracking. This model will be more affordable than the ‌AirPods Pro‌ ($249) but will not include features like silicone ear tips.

AirPods Fourth Generation Feature Red
One of the key aspects the next-generation AirPods are likely to bring over from the second-generation ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌ is the H2 chip. Both the second- and third-generation AirPods currently feature the H1 chip. The H2 chip is accompanied by Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, which offers faster and more reliable connectivity with Bluetooth accessories, as well as improved power efficiency, which can contribute to longer battery life.

Apple says the H2 chip provides an "exceptional acoustic experience" when paired with a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier in the ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌. The ‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌ offer richer bass and clearer sound across a wider range of frequencies partly due to the computational audio improvements facilitated by the H2 chip, so similar enhancements seem highly likely to come to the fourth-generation AirPods.

The launch of the two AirPods 4 models is expected in September or October 2024, which will also see the current AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 discontinued.

AirPods Pro

Apple's upcoming iOS 18 update introduces several enhancements for the current second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌, leveraging machine learning and AI. New head gestures will allow users to control ‌AirPods Pro‌ hands-free—nodding to answer a call or shaking their head to decline. Siri Interactions will also enable hands-free management of calls, messages, and notifications without speaking.

‌iOS 18‌ adds Voice Isolation to ‌AirPods Pro‌, improving call clarity by filtering out background noise and focusing on your voice, similar to an existing iPhone feature. Additionally, the Adaptive Audio feature, which adjusts sound and noise cancellation based on your environment, will now offer a customizable setting for finer control.

airpods pro 2
According to Apple, the ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌ provide the best wireless audio latency ever for mobile gaming, thanks to improvements coming in ‌‌iOS 18‌‌. Improved latency means that you'll see little to no delay when taking an action in the game and hearing the resulting sound, making for a more responsive experience.

Lastly, ‌iOS 18‌ will introduce a "hearing aid mode" to ‌AirPods Pro‌. Although they already have a Conversation Boost feature, this update further positions them as a potential hearing aid device.

Apple is expected introduce a redesigned third-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ in 2025, with refined design and better audio quality, along with a faster processor.

AirPods Max

‌AirPods Max‌ are the oldest current-generation AirPods product still in Apple's lineup. It's been over three years since Apple launched ‌AirPods Max‌ in December 2020, and only recently have we begun hearing rumors about Apple's plans for a new-generation model that is coming later this year.

Apple will replace the Lightning port found on the current-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ for a USB-C port. This will ensure the headphones comply with European regulations, and will bring consistency across the company's AirPods lineup. This of course means ‌AirPods Max‌ 2 will come supplied with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, rather than a Lightning to USB-C cable. Apple will also need to offer a USB-C to 3.5mm audio accessory cable so that users can plug ‌AirPods Max‌ 2 into 3.5mm audio ports.

AirPods Max Gen 2 Feature Dark Red 2
The Bluetooth 5.3 specification can already be found in the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2, the iPhone 15 lineup, and the latest Apple Watch models. It is also supported by all Mac models released in 2023. Therefore it's almost inevitable that the second-generation ‌‌AirPods Max‌‌ will similarly feature the latest Bluetooth standard.

Apple is expected to offer second-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ in fresh colors, although what those colors might be remains unknown. ‌AirPods Max‌ are currently available in Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink, although interchangeable ear cushions allow for many color combinations.

While there are no rumors that claim ‌AirPods Max‌ 2 will feature the H2 chip, it would seem reasonable to expect them to do so. Apple's custom silicon chip is designed specifically for earbuds and headphones, and enables improved computational audio to enhance sound quality on the current-generation ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌ and improves battery life with better energy efficiency. Without the H2 chip, ‌AirPods Max‌ would also miss out on Adaptive Audio features including Personalized Volume and Conversation Awareness.

Coming to All AirPods Models

Personalized Spatial Audio is a feature that already exists for movies, TV shows, and music. It uses the TrueDepth camera on your ‌‌iPhone‌‌ to scan your face and ears, developing a personal profile that customizes Spatial Audio just for you.

Spatial Audio Feature
With ‌‌iOS 18‌‌, Apple is expanding Personalized Spatial Audio to gaming, with the aim of delivering more immersive sound for gameplay. Personalized Spatial Audio for Gaming will support AirPods 3 and 4, ‌AirPods Pro‌, and ‌AirPods Max‌.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
9 months ago

Charging case with Speaker for AirPods 4 just silly. What happened to iPhone's speakers? If it happens, it all because Tim Apple wants more money in his pocket. ?
It's not to play music, it to play a sound if you activate it in Find My.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Mac Daz Avatar
9 months ago

Charging case with Speaker for AirPods 4 just silly. What happened to iPhone's speakers? If it happens, it all because Tim Apple wants more money in his pocket. ?
Someone didn’t read the article ??
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
9 months ago
The AirPods Max are very much like the original HomePod in that it's too good and expensive for the regular consumer and not good enough for the audiophile.

The AirPods Max especially are grossly overpriced, I tried them and while I really like their design and audio quality, they're simply not worth their 579€ price. Even a 2024 model with USB-C, lossless audio, bluetooth 5.3 and lighter body would be worth 400€ tops.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
henrikhelmers Avatar
9 months ago
I have been pleased with my AirPods Max and would consider purchasing a new version. My only complaint is that the white version is not easy to clean, but I can solve that by not buying white.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
error Avatar
9 months ago
Spatial audio is such stupid gimmick. All I ever do is turn it off but it keeps turning itself on in several apps. If only I could disable this feature system wide.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lowkey Avatar
9 months ago
I hope the Max come with a decent case. Whenever I travel I revert back to my Bose QC35mkii as they are lighter, fold to take up less space and more importantly are protected by their case!

Having the entire headband mesh unprotected in a bag full of stuff is not ideal.

I’d also like an off button so I don’t have to keep them in their stupid case when they are laying around at home or work.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)