Malcolm Owen
Apple is allegedly informing members of the media of the 'AirPods Pro' in pre-launch meetings, with the supposed next-generation models to be shown to journalists at local offices over the next week.
Current rumors and alleged leaks has Apple preparing to launch an updated version of the AirPods dubbed the "AirPods Pro." The expectation of having the new model out in time for the lucrative holiday shopping period led to the suggestion of an October launch, and according to one source, Apple is getting ready for its announcement.
Benjamin Geskin, a usually reliable source of data on the smartphone industry, posted to Twitter late on Sunday that Apple would be showing off the audio accessories on Tuesday or Wednesday "next week" to journalists at Apple's local offices. A further post early on Mondy claimed Apple's "AirPods Pro media meeting has already been completed in Shanghai."
AirPods Pro media meeting has already been completed in Shanghai https://t.co/qB46ypZdDU
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) October 28, 2019
Geskin's post is the latest in a series of claims on the new model in reports and rumors, with some indicating the model will sell for at least $260 at retail. Photographs have also leaked of a squat, partially disassembled AirPods charging case, which is thought to be for the new model, if legitimate.
Not long after Geskin's posts made traction, Jon Prosser added to the claim to confirm a meeting happened "in the last 24 hours in an Apple location," but couldn't confirm if they were for AirPods or for another purpose. Prosser adds more information will apparently be made available on October 30.
Apple itself has also inadvertently provided a hint a new model was on the way, with the first iOS 13.2 beta including an icon strongly suggesting the addition of noise cancellation activation as a "focus mode." the new AirPods are also supposedly given the model number B298.
While the presence of rumors and leaks alone do not guarantee the existence of a product, Apple's own software slip lends considerable weight to the idea of an imminent product launch and its noise cancellation feature.
Stories about the "AirPods Pro" have ratcheted up in tempo recently, but have been rumored for some time. In April, famed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast there would be two new AirPods models, shipping at the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, with the first using a new design and sold at a higher price while the second is expected to be similar in cost and design to the current version.
AppleInsider could not verify the claims that one briefing has already taken place.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
19 Comments
Someone call me when Apple makes headphones I can use while I’m swimming. maybe by then I’ll have an Apple Watch where the screen works while it’s wet.
It’s not holding out much hope, and will continue to enjoy Apple Watch Series 3 until then
$260? Wow.
I'm a sucker for Apple products. Have been for decades. I know this is my own personal opinion but there needs to be some incredible game changing technology in these things to justify that kind of money. Especially considering the average useful life cycle of the current AirPods. There are some decent alternatives out there now.
I'm looking to replace my gen 1's which only last ~30 minutes for music playback. To be fair I've certainly got my use out of them, but I'd be sick to my stomach had I lost one or both of them at $260. Not that the current pricing is throw-away money for me.
If this has noise cancellation and is as comfortable as their current AirPods, count me in. If they're "in-ear" type plugs, I'll probably take a pass. Also, I hope they do something about water resistance for the case. I'm on my third case and 2nd set of AirPods because of accidentally leaving them in my jeans pocket during washes :-( AirPod1: both case and AirPods died. Airpod2, the AirPods survived, but the case did not.
I’ve been lucky... I’ve washed my AirPods several times and they never stopped working... washed and dried on more than one occasion.
They will definitely be IEC 'buds. There's no way for buds to be noise cancelling, either active or passive, without sealing them to the ear canal. Ambient sound would just leak right by, as they do with current AirPods and every other kind of non-IEC 'bud.
As such, they'll put pressure on the ear canal that will be uncomfortable after a time. That time will be different for each of us. I can leave my Gen 1 'Pods in all day long with perfect comfort. I've done that, forgetting that they're in after listening for a few hours.
I really like my AirPods, and should have bought the AP2s at Costco on their one day sale of $133, which included the wireless charging case. I am not keen about paying $260 for 'buds that don't sound markedly better than my AirPods.
Sealing the APPs to the canals will improve bass and increase audibility in noisy environments, but it doesn't increase fidelity. For that kind of money I want better buds. I've got some high end buds that are excellent, but they're wired. As such, I use them only in the house. The wires are replaceable only by the factory, so I handle them with kid gloves.
With the APPs fidelity as yet an unknown, and knowing that they really can't be as comfortable as the non-Pro 'Pods, they'll be a hard sell for me. I'd gladly stick with the AP2s if the price were a little cheaper.