Apple is expected to release AirPods Pro 2 in 2022. It is rumored that this new generation will bring a new design, innovative lossless support, and fitness sensors for the first time. Head below as we gather the latest rumors about this product.
AirPods Pro 2: New form factor?
By early 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will have a new form factor design closer to the 2021 Beats Fit Pro. With this, these wireless headphones would lose their stern, and probably have a design on the tip of the ear.
If this is the case, the AirPods charging case will also be changed. According to rumors, it will remain 21 mm thick, while it will be 46 mm high and 54 mm wide. In comparison, the current AirPods Pro charging case is 45.2 mm high and 60.6 mm wide.
Then in June, a new leak from 52audio, which correctly predicts the design of the AirPods 3, shows that the AirPods Pro 2 is likely to have a similar design to the current generation, but with pinching the tips of the ears.
So far, none of the leaks or analysts have predicted new colors for the AirPods Pro 2, although Apple is likely to support only a white version of the product.
Characteristic
Lossless maintenance
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was also the first to announce that Apple plans to provide lossless support for AirPods Pro 2. He wrote back in January:
We expect Apple to launch AirPods Pro 2 in 4Q22 with new outlets, including a new form factor design, support for the Apple Lossless (ALAC) format, and a charging case that can emit sound that users can track. We are optimistic about the demand for AirPods Pro 2 and the expected deliveries will reach 18-20 million units in 2022.
By the end of 2021, the creator of AirPods paid attention to the limitations of Bluetooth in an interview. Gary Gives, Apple’s vice president of acoustics, said Apple would really like a wireless standard that allows more bandwidth.
“Obviously, wireless technology is crucial to transmitting the content you’re talking about,” he says, “so we need to focus very hard on getting the best out of Bluetooth technology, and there are a number of tricks we can do. to play to increase or bypass some of the restrictions of Bluetooth. But it is fair to say that we would like more bandwidth and… I will stop there. We would like more bandwidth, ”he smiles.
If the Ming-Chi Kuo analyzer is right, Apple is likely to adopt a new standard to offer lossless support with AirPods Pro 2.
Support for a new chip and low power Bluetooth
Sources at 9to5Mac confirm that the next generation AirPods Pro – codenamed B698 – will include the next version of the H1 chip, Apple’s own audio processor. In addition, references to support for the LC3 codec on the AirPods Max beta firmware are annoying that the AirPods Pro 2 may be the first to add Bluetooth 5.2 support.
This codec will bring more stability and efficiency to wireless headphones. Not only that, but this new standard will help AirPods Pro 2 improve sound quality for voice calls and songs with higher bitrate support. Although low-power Bluetooth and the LC3 codec do not promise “lossless Bluetooth”, it will certainly improve the sound quality a lot.
Health sensors
Kuo also believes that “AirPods may support health management functions in the future,” confirming previous reports.
A study led by Apple shows how AirPods can be used to monitor respiratory rate. The study found that this audio can be a “viable signal for passive assessment” of respiratory rates, which also makes it a more cost-effective way to do so than traditional healthcare.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gourmet also believes that Airpods Pro 2 will have new fitness tracking features:
Apple is testing a new design with even shorter breast milk or no breast milk at all, plus a new fitness motion sensor.
Also, it wouldn’t be so surprising if Apple added health tracking features, as an independent developer has released an app that says if your stance is good using AirPods sensors. Pretty neat, isn’t it?
Lightning or USB-C connector?
In May, Kuo predicted that the AirPods Pro 2 charging case would still include a Lightning charging port, with huge hopes of switching to USB-C this year.
Kuo announced in May that Apple is currently testing the iPhone 15 with a USB-C charging port. The analyst also predicts that when (or if) the iPhone switches to USB-C charging, Apple will also transfer AirPods and other accessories to USB-C.
In June, 52audio speculated that the updated charging case for AirPods Pro 2 would switch to USB-C based on leaked images, as you can see here.
When will Apple release AirPods Pro 2?
The original AirPods Pro was released for the first time by the end of 2019. Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the AirPods Pro 2 is expected to go into mass production in the second half of the year. He also noted that AirPods Pro 2 will be produced in Vietnam, which signals a reduction in Apple’s dependence on China.
This comes after the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple had informed some of its suppliers that it wanted to transfer production from China to centers in Vietnam and India.
Earlier, Kuo said that AirPods Pro 2 will launch around the fourth quarter of 2022, which means that the product may see the light of day around September-November, depending on Apple’s plan to announce this product along with new iPhones. Mac or iPad.
How much will AirPods Pro 2 cost?
At the moment, rumors do not report the prices of AirPods Pro 2. Currently, the first generation costs $ 249. If Apple adds new health sensors to this product + lossless support, Apple may likely increase its price to $ 50.
It’s also important to look at the company’s strategy with AirPods 3. Kuo described it as a “failed product segmentation strategy,” saying Apple is likely to discontinue AirPods Pro with the launch of the new model.
AirPods 3 orders for 2-3 Q22 are reduced by 30% +. Due to the failed product segmentation strategy, demand for AirPods 3 is significantly lower than for AirPods 2. AirPods Pro may be discontinued after Apple launches AirPods Pro 2 in 2H22 to avoid repeating the same mistake.
Completion
There’s something to get excited about the new AirPods Pro 2. If the rumors turn out to be true, expect lossless playback, a new form factor and health and fitness sensors.
However, if you don’t think you’ll need all these features, this may be the perfect time to buy the original AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and even Apple’s 20W charger.
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