New AirPods

Multiple reports confirm that Apple has two new pairs of fourth-generation AirPods in the works. They’re expected to go into mass production soon, but they’re not expected to be unveiled until September, alongside the iPhone 16.

That aligns with most other AirPods releases. Only the second-generation AirPods came in the spring, and those were snuck out more quietly by press release. The original AirPods, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 3 all came out at Apple’s September launch events, alongside the iPhone 7, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14, respectively. The original AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were other non-event releases, but both still came in the fall.

When the “AirPods 4” finally do arrive, expect a higher-end pair that features active noise cancellation (ANC) and a more affordable “AirPods Lite” that will allow Apple to avoid keeping the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 around for another year.

New AirPods Max headphones are also expected later this year but don’t expect too much from those. By all reports, they’ll make the switch to USB-C and possibly get some new colors, but not much else. Next-generation AirPods Pro aren’t supposed to be coming until 2025.