American multinational technology company Apple is reportedly planning a redesign of its entry-level AirPods for this year and a second version of the AirPods Pro for next year.
The new base AirPods will mark the first update to the product since March 2019 and will have a new design that closely resembles the AirPods Pro. The earbuds will be packaged in a redesigned case, with shorter stems poking out of the bottom of each one.
The AirPods Pro coming next year will be the first change to that product since October 2019 and will include updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking, according to the source.
As per the previous media reports, Apple had previously aimed to release the new AirPods Pro as early as this year. The company’s wearables, home, and accessories division, which has developed fast to now account for more than $30 billion in yearly revenue, accounting for more than 10 percent of total sales, will benefit from the update to its wireless earbuds line.
Apple’s most recent AirPods-related hardware release was the over-ear AirPods Max headphones in December. That $549 pair earned criticism for bugs and its high price but praise for its materials and sound.
Apple has only just been able to meet the demand for the AirPods Max, and it is not actively working on a second-generation, though it has considered releasing additional color choices in the future.
Further, Apple has tried a slimmer form for the new AirPods Pro that does away with the stems. That look will debut on new Beats-branded wireless earbuds planned to be announced next month.
