According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to differentiate its AirPods lineup better as new models are released in the next few years. This will involve phasing out both the second-gen and third-gen AirPods when a successor is announced in the fall. The third-gen AirPods, in particular, have not sold well, partially due to consumers choosing the older and cheaper second-gen pair, which Apple has continued to sell.

To avoid this problem in the future, Apple intends to launch two sets of fourth-generation AirPods simultaneously in 2024. These new AirPods will be positioned below the AirPods Pro in terms of pricing, but they will have clearer differences between them. Both sets of fourth-gen AirPods will feature a new design that combines elements of the third-gen AirPods and the Pro model, including shorter stems.

The higher-end option of the two sets of fourth-generation AirPods will incorporate features from the AirPods Pro, such as noise cancellation and integrated speakers on the charging case for improved Find My support. However, it is interesting to note that neither set is expected to include replaceable silicone ear tips. Instead, they will likely maintain the same one-size-fits-most, open-air design that the standard AirPods have always had. This means that the AirPods Pro will still have an advantage in terms of noise cancellation performance and overall sound quality.


The next AirPods will continue Apple's transition to USB-C. Additionally, Gurman suggests that there will be a minor refresh of the AirPods Max next year, featuring a USB-C port and new color options, but few other changes. It is possible that they will support lossless audio when paired with the Vision Pro, at the very least. The original AirPods Max have not received any updates since their introduction in 2020 and have fallen behind in terms of newer software features.


All of these developments will eventually lead to a redesign of the AirPods Pro in 2025. Unfortunately, the report does not provide specific details about what Apple's next flagship earbuds will look like.