Apple reportedly readying new entry-level AirPods launch for this year

AirPods with charging case (Image credit: Daniel Bader / iMore)

What you need to know

Apple is said to be launching new AirPods this year.
Refreshed AirPods have now been rumored for months.

Apple is getting ready to launch new, redesigned entry-level AirPods later this year according to a new report. The new model will more closely resemble the popular AirPods Pro.

A new Bloomberg report has Apple pushing its first AirPods update out the door since early 2019, although we don't know exactly when it will take place. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman simply suggests "this year" as a rather wide window. It is however possible we might hear something during WWDC, although I would have expected Gurman to have said something more specific if that was the case.

Featuring shorter stems than previous AirPods and a redesigned earpiece, the new AirPods will likely retain the same features as the previous model so as to avoid encroaching on AirPods Pro's target market.

Apple Inc. is readying a revamp of its entry-level AirPods for this year and a second generation of the AirPods Pro for next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

AirPods offer instant pairing and device switching across all Apple devices, while "Hey Siri" support means the digital assistant can be awoken hands-free when needed.

Can't wait for the new AirPods to arrive? Be sure to check out our collection of the best AirPods deals before placing an order for the current offerings.

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too.

Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.