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Apple AirPods 2: Release date, features and all the latest leaks

Apple AirPods 2: Everything you need to know about the new Apple AirPods (2019)

Apple’s big 2018 launch event showed off a family of new phones, including the iPhone XS and iPhone XR − we had expected to see the heavily rumoured Apple AirPods 2 to make an appearance too, but that didn’t happen.

Little is known about AirPods 2 so far, but based on the popularity and ubiquity of the original AirPods, we’re certain Apple is set to issue a refreshed design. Here’s everything we do know, or think we know, based on leaks and rumours.

Apple Airpods 2 – Release date

Many reports thought the AirPods 2 would be released before the end of 2018. That, of course, has since since come and gone.

New reports have emerged with differing timelines. Late in December 2018, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that an upgraded version of the AirPods would go on sale in the first half of 2019, with its proper successor, the AirPods 2, launching in 2020. The new charging case is also expected to arrive in sync with the upgraded AirPods.

Apple AirPods 2 – Price

There’s no word yet, but they will probably be not far off the existing AirPods price, at £159/$159.

Related: Best headphone deals

Apple AirPods 2 – Design

It’s likely that the AirPods 2 will have the same look as the current version. It’s proved to be a popular design considering how often you can find an AirPod user on public transport. But that doesn’t mean a few changes couldn’t be made.

We imagine this release could come with ear-tips, in light of how often the AirPods have fallen out (although that’s not the case for everyone).

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that the upgraded AirPods (which he purports are coming out in 2019), will feature a minor revision with an update to the Bluetooth specification mooted. Other reports have speculated that they’ll feature a discrete design that will carry health monitoring functions.

What else has been rumoured? Another report confirms that they won’t look any different from the current version, but they’ll offer better bass response thanks to updated drivers. Both the earbuds and the case will feature a special matte coating for a grippier feel. The same report also mentions that it will be made available in two different colours (black and white) and will sell for $200, a $40 increase on the first generation version.

Another mooted change is to the charging case, with a small LED indicator light on the outside. It was spotted in an image from the iOS 12 beta, and will be a useful way of gauging when the AirPods have been fully charged.

Siri voice control is also expected, judging by the first developer beta for iOS 12.2. The beta feature allows users to teach AirPods to recognise their voices, which essentially is the ability to say, “Hey, Siri” and have the voice assistant respond to your commands.

We suspect that in order for this functionality to happen, the AirPods would benefit from an upgraded wireless chip, likely to be the W2 chipset. The question is whether that’d be for the upgraded 2019 versions or the AirPod 2 in 2020? Or could Apple be readying the Airpods 2 for a 2019 release? Questions, questions.

Apple AirPods 2 – Noise cancellation and waterproofing

A new report has suggested that Apple is planning on releasing the next generation of its true wireless AirPods with noise-cancellation and water resistance.

The report comes courtesy of Bloomberg, and claims that the earphones will be accompanied by a more traditional pair of over-ear headphones (which will be different from the Beats lineup). They’ll also be more expensive than the current model, potentially leading to a two-tier hardware market.

Apparently the current plan is to keep the current AirPods on sale, although these will be refreshed at the end of 2018 with hands-free Siri activation.

Although water resistance brings to mind swimming, it’s more likely the new AirPods will simply be able to survive sweat and a bit of rain. At any rate, current Bluetooth technology can’t work underwater.

Following on from its use in the Apple Watch Series 4, the new AirPods could add biometric sensing to the earphones to track the user’s heart rate during workouts.

Related: Apple Watch Series 4 review

Apple AirPods 2 – Charging case

Recent Apple products have moved into the wireless charging arena and we expect the AirPods 2 to follow suit. In the same report that suggested a minor revision to the AirPods, the new Charging case was detailed too. It’s alleged to feature “a ‘rigid-flexboard’ internal component upgrade, a re-designed hinge that supports appearance changes and higher thermal temperatures”.

The long-rumoured, much-touted AirPower wireless charging mat now a rumoured release date. It’s thought to go on sale at the same time as the wireless charging case for the current AirPods. Some changes have been made to the mat, with it being a bit thicker than before due to the implementation of an internal 8-7-7 coil configuration.

As well as the above reports, Apple’s recently-filed patents have given us more clues about the direction it might take its future headphones. One such patent suggests the firm is looking at integrating a speaker connection into future AirPods charging cases.

The patent details charging case for a wireless listening device such as “a pair of wireless earbuds”, which is configured to “transmit the media to a non-wireless output device connected to the case”.

From the illustration (H/T Cult of Mac) that’s been included alongside the patent, it looks as though in practise this will mean that you’ll be able to connect the charging case to an external speaker (ie the “non-wireless output device”).

But why would Apple want to build this functionality into a future charging case? We suspect it might have something to do with the W1 Bluetooth chip that’s behind the rock solid wireless connectivity of the AirPods.

Related: Best wireless headphones 

Apple’s patent illustration, as filed with USPTO

The case detailed in the patent could allow music to be streamed wirelessly using the high quality W1 chip, and then transmit it to a speaker.

Yes, Apple has its own wireless connectivity standard called AirPlay, but providing a means of getting its W1 chip’s connectivity hooked up to speakers would give customers yet more options if they want to play music.

For now this is just a patent, and so it indicates an area that Apple is exploring rather than something they’ve explicitly committed to, but it’s another tantalising piece of information about what kind of product the AirPods 2 might end up being.

We awarded the first-generation AirPods a very respectable seven out of 10, with our main criticism being that they left us wanting more in the audio department – they don’t sound too dissimilar to Apple’s £29 EarPods, in all honesty.

What feature are you hoping to see on the Apple AirPods 2? Be sure to let us know over on either Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.

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