Airpods 3:Apple’s next Headphones

Apple's AirPods are among the most popular wireless earbuds on the market at the moment, offering a seamless experience unmatched by most third-party audio companies, but even great products like AirPods need an upgrade every now and again.Apple is expected to launch the third generation of AirPods.The new AirPods 3 is likely to be launched alongside iPhone 13 and Apple Watch 7 during Apple’s September event.

The next AirPods to be updated are the basic AirPods. They are likely to become colloquially known as the AirPods 3, or third-gen AirPods, and should be with us before the end of 2021.

The third-generation ‌AirPods‌ may be updated with a design that's similar to the AirPods Pro, featuring a shorter stem and a body design that's more similar to the ‌AirPods Pro‌. Some leaks have suggested the ‌AirPods‌ will have silicone tips, but others indicate that the earpiece design could be like the ‌AirPods‌, without a tip.Some rumors and leaked designs have indicated the ‌AirPods‌ 3 will have silicone ear tips like the ‌AirPods Pro‌, but images that were shared in March by 52audio appear to depict a set of ‌AirPods‌ with an ‌AirPods‌ Pro-style design and no silicone ear tips.The report claims that the allegedly leaked AirPods shell and case components are similar, but not identical, to the design of the AirPods Pro. As seen leaked images on the site, the alleged updated wireless earbuds sport a more conical shape than the second-gen AirPods, while the redesigned windows in the bud housing are expected to house microphones, IR sensors or even serve as pressure exhaust ports like those found on Google's Pixel Buds.  

AirPods 3 will come with a new version of the H1 chip, allowing for improved connectivity and longer battery life. Speaker hardware will likely remain the same compared to AirPods 2, but it could be improved with Spatial Audio support. However, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes from AirPods Pro are unlikely to feature in the AirPods 3.

Apple is rumored to be working on a new wireless chip that could be included in the third-generation ‌AirPods‌, and there could potentially be some improvements in battery life. A new wireless chip could bring extended range, but the ‌AirPods‌ 3 are expected to function like the current version with fast device switching and quick pairing with Apple devices, among other benefits.

In more technical news, the ‌AirPods‌ 3 will feature a more compact integrated system-in-package (SiP) that's similar to the SiP used in the ‌AirPods Pro‌. This will allow more of the audio features to be integrated into a smaller casing design like the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

52audio, a site that shares rumors about headphones and earbuds, believes the ‌AirPods‌ 3 will feature the same pressure-relieving system that's used in the ‌AirPods Pro‌. The system is meant to equalize pressure within the ear to mitigate discomfort from using the ‌AirPods‌ for a long period of time.

The ‌AirPods‌ 3 may also have the same touch controls as the ‌AirPods Pro‌ rather than the single and double-tap gestures available on current ‌AirPods‌ models.

We can expect battery improvements, as well as better microphones. With the AirPods Pro beta firmware, Apple is testing a new Conversation Boost feature, which could also be introduced in the new Airpods 3.

Although Apple discontinued the original AirPods when the second-generation AirPods were released, it is unlikely that will happen when the company introduces the third generation of wireless earbuds. 

As Apple is introducing a new form-factor, it means some of the users would still prefer wireless earbuds with the original design. As it did back in the day with its enormous iPod line, Apple is likely to introduce several new AirPods over the years, without one replacing the other.

Apple hasn't officially announced any launch event or dates for the new AirPods yet. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were both announced in press releases, so it won't be surprising if Apple does the same with the AirPods 3.