Apple is about to launch AirPods Professional 2 in 2022. This new technology may convey a brand new design, modern Lossless help, in addition to health sensors for the primary time. Head under as we spherical up the most recent rumors about this product that might launch throughout Apple’s “Far Out” September 7 occasion.
AirPods Professional 2: New kind issue?
By the start of 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that AirPods Professional 2 would characteristic a brand new kind issue design nearer to the 2021 Beats Match Professional. With that, these wi-fi earbuds would lose their sterns by probably that includes an in-ear wingtip design.
Then in June, a brand new leak by 52audio – which appropriately predicted the AirPods 3 design – exhibits that AirPods Professional 2 will probably characteristic the same design to the present technology, however with a tweak on the ear ideas.
Rumors additionally imagine the charging case will stay 21mm thick, whereas it is going to be 46mm tall and 54mm vast. For comparability’s sake, the present AirPods Professional charging case measures 45.2mm tall and 60.6mm vast.
As of now, no leaker or analyst predicted new colours for the AirPods Professional 2, though it’s probably that Apple will preserve solely a white model of the product.
Options
Lossless help
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was additionally the primary to report that Apple is planning to convey Lossless help to the AirPods Professional 2. He wrote again in January:
We count on Apple to launch AirPods Professional 2 in 4Q22 with new promoting factors, together with a brand new kind issue design, help for Apple Lossless (ALAC) format, and a charging case that may emit a sound for customers to trace. We’re optimistic in regards to the demand for AirPods Professional 2 and estimate shipments will attain 18–20mn models in 2022.
By the tip of 2021, AirPods’ creator addressed the constraints of Bluetooth in an interview. Gary Geaves, Apple’s VP of Acoustics, has stated that Apple would love a wi-fi customary that permits for extra bandwidth.
“Clearly the wi-fi know-how is vital for the content material supply that you simply discuss,” he says, “so we’ve got to pay attention very laborious on squeezing probably the most that we are able to out of the Bluetooth know-how, and there’s quite a few tips we are able to play to maximise or get round a few of the limits of Bluetooth. However it’s truthful to say that we wish extra bandwidth and… I’ll cease proper there. We wish extra bandwidth,” he smiles.
If analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is true, Apple might be adopting a brand new customary to supply Lossless help with AirPods Professional 2.
New chip and low-energy Bluetooth help
9to5Mac sources affirm that the next-generation AirPods Professional – codenamed B698 – will characteristic the subsequent model of the H1 chip, Apple’s personal audio processor. As well as, references for LC3 codec help on the AirPods Max beta firmware tease that AirPods Professional 2 could possibly be the primary so as to add Bluetooth 5.2 help.
This codec will convey extra stability and effectivity to wi-fi earbuds. Not solely that, however this new customary will assist AirPods Professional 2 enhance the sound high quality for voice calls and songs with higher-bitrate help. Though low-energy Bluetooth and LC3 codec don’t promise “Lossless Bluetooth,” they’ll absolutely enhance sound high quality by so much.
Well being sensors
Kuo additionally believes that “AirPods could help well being administration features sooner or later,” corroborating earlier studies.
A examine led by Apple exhibits how AirPods could possibly be used to observe respiratory charge. The examine discovered that this audio could be a “viable sign for passively estimating” respiratory charges, additionally making it a more cost effective means of doing so in comparison with conventional healthcare.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman first believed AirPods Professional 2 would have new health monitoring options, however by the start of July, the journalist stated Apple gained’t add any well being sensor to this yr’s mannequin.
This years’ AirPods Professional are unlikely to get heart-rate monitoring. As I’ve been reporting for some time now, Apple is gearing as much as launch new AirPods Professional later this yr.
Lightning or USB-C connector?
In Might, Kuo predicted that this wi-fi earbuds charging case will nonetheless characteristic a Lightning port for charging, dashing hopes for a switchover to USB-C this yr.
Kuo reported in Might that Apple is at present testing the iPhone 15 with a USB-C port for charging. The analyst additionally predicted that when (or if) the iPhone switches to USB-C charging, Apple will even transition AirPods and different equipment to USB-C.
In June, 52audio speculated that the up to date charging case for the AirPods Professional 2 will change to USB-C based mostly on its leaked photos, as you possibly can see right here.
When will Apple launch AirPods Professional 2?
The unique AirPods Professional was first launched by the tip of 2019. Ming-Chi Kuo believes that AirPods Professional 2 is predicted to enter mass manufacturing in the course of the second half of the yr. He additionally notes that AirPods Professional 2 will probably be manufactured in Vietnam, signaling a discount in Apple’s reliance on China.
This comes after the Wall Road Journal reported that Apple has knowledgeable a few of its suppliers that it needs to shift manufacturing from China to hubs in Vietnam and India.
Beforehand, Kuo stated AirPods Professional 2 would launch round This autumn of 2022, that means the product may see the sunshine of day round September-November, relying on Apple’s plan to announce this product alongside new iPhones, Mac, or iPads. With an occasion scheduled for September 7, this could possibly be the right time to see the corporate unveiling this subsequent technology.
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How a lot will AirPods Professional 2 value?
As of now, rumors don’t account for AirPods Professional 2 pricing. At the moment, the primary technology prices $249. If Apple provides new well being sensors to this product + Lossless help, it’s probably that Apple may improve its price ticket as much as $50.
It’s additionally vital to try the corporate’s technique with AirPods 3. Kuo described it as a “failed product segmentation technique,” by saying Apple will probably discontinue AirPods Professional when launching the brand new mannequin.
AirPods 3 orders for 2-3Q22 have been lower by 30%+. As a result of failed product segmentation technique, demand for AirPods 3 is considerably weaker than for AirPods 2. AirPods Professional could get discontinued after Apple launches AirPods Professional 2 in 2H22 to keep away from repeating the identical mistake.
Wrap-up
There’s so much to be excited in regards to the new AirPods mannequin. If rumors develop into true, count on Lossless playback, a brand new kind issue, and well being and health sensors.
That stated, when you don’t suppose you’ll want all of those options, this could possibly be the right second to purchase the unique AirPods Professional, AirPods Max, and even Apple’s 20W charger.
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