new AirPods are coming

Apple is working hard behind the scenes on a new iOS update. iOS 16.4 now seems to confirm that new AirPods are coming. What do we know so far?

iOS 16.4 is coming

It is now clear that Apple is busy behind the scenes with a new iOS 16 update. Three test versions of iOS 16.4 have already been released and today the RC (release candidate build) released. That means we don’t have to wait long for the new iOS update. It often takes less than a week after the release of the RC before the official update appears.

Read also: Handy: AirPods will work as hearing aids in the future

Apple has revealed in the RC of iOS 16.4 that new AirPods are being worked on. The new version of iOS refers to AirPods with model number A3048 and an AirPods case with the number A2968. We don’t know these numbers yet, so it concerns new AirPods. What do we currently know about the new AirPods?

AirPods Lite, AirPods Max or AirPods with USB-C?

The rumors that Apple is working on a new pair of earphones have been going on for some time. The usually reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo already predicted that Apple is working on a budget version of the AirPods. These earphones, the AirPods Lite, will cost only $ 99, according to Kuo. For comparison: Apple is currently selling the AirPods 3 for €179.00 and the AirPods Pro 2 for €259.95. So the new model numbers in iOS 16.4 may refer to these cheaper AirPods.

The other option is that Apple does not come up with the cheapest AirPods ever, but gives the most expensive AirPods ever a successor. After all, it has been two years since the AirPods Max appeared. The headphones are expected to be improved mainly in the technical field: the battery will last longer and the headphones will (hopefully) finally get support for Lossless audio.

However, it is also possible that Apple is not working on new AirPods at all, but gives the existing AirPods a small adjustment. The entire iPhone 15 series will receive a USB-C connection this year, which corresponds to the new European legislation. The new case of the earphones may also have such a connection this year, so that the case has received a new model number.

Cheaper AirPods will appear this year

In any case, it is expected that Apple will release an update for the AirPods this year and the new model numbers in iOS 16.4 confirm this. Can’t wait for the new AirPods? Then now is the perfect time to buy the AirPods Pro 2, because the earphones have dropped in price everywhere. Check out the best prices for the AirPods 3 or the second generation AirPods Pro below!

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