It appears Apple might finally be close to releasing a new iteration of the AirPods, with a version of the cans coupled with a wireless charging case supposedly coming as early as next year.
Then the Cupertino brand might release an all-new design by 2020. This isn't surprising — rumors of a new AirPods model have been swirling for months. In fact, the surprising thing here is that Apple hasn't released an update sooner than expected, as it usually outputs product refreshes yearly. The AirPods came out in 2016.
The rumors come from trusted and often-right Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as cited by 9to5Mac. Kuo says demand for the wireless earphones will see a dramatic uptick in the coming years.
New AirPods Almost Here
There was some speculation Apple would debut a new pair of AirPods at its fall product showcase, but that didn't happen, obviously. Suppose Kuo has his finger on the pulse, the new models will apparently have wireless charging support. It's not clear, however, whether "wireless charging" refers to the charging case or the earphones themselves. The former is more likely to have such capabilities, though.
There are some other changes that line up with previous rumors too. For instance, Kuo says the next model will come with upgraded Bluetooth technology, an upgraded hinge on the case, and that some internal components will be a bit pricier than before. There has also been some speculation claiming that an entirely new AirPods model due next year will introduce features such as water resistance and noise cancelation.
What About The AirPower Charging Pad?
Kuo says, however, that an all-new model isn't due until 2020. He doesn't go into detail as to what exactly will make this model "all-new." The earphones themselves could very well get redesigned. Apple could also introduce the abovementioned features, or there might not even be an all-new model. As always, take everything with a grain of salt.
Interestingly, Kuo doesn't mention anything about Apple's long-delayed AirPower wireless charging pad. It was introduced in April 2017 as a device that can charge up to three wireless charging-capable devices at a time, but Apple hasn't said anything about it since. Reports say the company is having some difficulty with safety, although Apple remains mum on the matter.
Thoughts on future Apple products? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
