They will be released in September 2024
Apple will introduce a fourth-generation version of AirPods in 2024 with a number of new features that will make the headphones more attractive to consumers, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes.
Two versions of AirPods 4 are planned in different price categories. For now, there is little difference between AirPods 2 and AirPods 3, except for the design, which Gurman says is confusing to customers.
AirPods 4 headphones will have an updated design. They will look like a cross between the current AirPods and AirPods Pro, with shorter stems. The fit is expected to be improved, but it's unclear whether Apple will add silicone ear tips.
The updated case will include speakers for Find My notifications and a USB-C charging port instead of a Lightning port. The higher-end version of the AirPods will feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which has been limited to the AirPods Pro model so far. This will allow customers to get ANC at a more affordable price.
In a software update coming later next year, Apple will add hearing aid functionality, allowing AirPods to serve as an over-the-counter alternative to traditional hearing aids. In 2022, the FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aid options, clearing the way for Apple to sell AirPods to people with hearing loss. Gurman said Apple also plans to release tests that will let AirPods users know if they have hearing loss.
AirPods 4 will be released in 2024, possibly in September, when Apple introduces new iPhone models. Apple also plans to release a new version of AirPods Max in 2024, but the update will be limited to new colors and the addition of USB-C.
Apple's more expensive AirPods Pro will be updated in 2025. Apple is set to introduce an updated, “comfort-focused” design and a faster chip.