AirPods Pro 2 Could Come in Two Sizes

[MacRumors]

Leaker Mr-white, who has in the past shared accurate details on Apple's product plans, today tweeted alleged images of internal hardware that will be used in the second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds expected to be released sometime in 2021.

In the photos below, the hardware on the right side of the image appears to be current AirPods Pro hardware, while the hardware on the left is designed for the next-generation AirPods Pro. The cables are in two different sizes, which Mr-white suggests is an indication that the AirPods Pro 2 could perhaps come in two sizes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1343968958169288704

Rumors from Bloomberg have suggested that the second-generation version of the AirPods Pro will feature a more compact design that eliminates the short stem that sticks out from the bottom. The AirPods Pro could feature a rounded shape more similar to earbuds from companies like Google and Samsung, and for this design, it could make sense to offer different sizes for a better fit.

Apple is said to be struggling to shrink the AirPods down to the appropriate size to eliminate the stem, so there's a chance that won't happen, and that could explain why the hardware designs shared by Mr-white appear to be similar in size to the current AirPods Pro hardware.

Rumors have also said that the AirPods Pro will feature a new wireless chip. Mr-white says the new AirPods Pro still have a "W2 chip," but it's unclear what that means. The current AirPods Pro use an H1 processor that does have a wireless chip that's a successor to the original W1 chip in the first-generation AirPods, so it's possible W2 here refers to the H1 and indicates no new wireless chip technology.

Mr-white has shared accurate Apple details in the past, but is not always correct. Earlier this year, Mr-white shared images of a braided cable said to be for the iPhone 12 lineup, but that did not pan out. He has also said that Apple is working on a black Apple Pencil, and that has yet to appear. He did, however, share early leaks of Apple's iPhone 12 casing and display unit, which were accurate.

There's no word yet on when exactly a refreshed version of the AirPods Pro will come out, but the updated earbuds are expected sometime in 2021.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 2 Could Come in Two Sizes

 

[sniffies]

I don't care about sizes as long as they keep the original AirPods design as an option

I hate in-ear design

 

[MacBird]

Apple should figure out how to make a good seal easier to accomplish, maybe more than 3 sizes of ear pieces.

 

[yellow8]

Buying the bigger size means admitting having big ears? NO WAY!

 

[Crzyrio]

I find it very hard to believe they would remove the stem. The Stem is the AirPods, without it they are just bluetooth headphones;

 

[Be-1ne]

I really miss my AirPod pros. Really don’t miss how much they have messed up my ears though. My ears have never been right since wearing them. ☹️

 

[cmaier]

The hardware on the right vs. the hardware on the right? Nice editing.

 

[contacos]

Just wait for Mr. Upselling Cook to keep selling the 1st gen Pro for a little less of the current price and the 2nd gen for an additional 100 bucks. Of course gen 1 will no longer come with a wireless charging case. If you want that, you will need to spend 100 bucks extra

 

[LeadingHeat]

As much as people hated on them at first, the stem on the AirPods is what makes them undeniably AirPods. You can tell from someone walking down the street wearing them that they’re AirPods. Otherwise you have to wonder if it’s a hearing aid crammed into their ear canal like those Samsung buds look like.

Apple is all about instant brand awareness, I doubt they’d go away from it anytime soon.

 

[amartinez1660]

I really miss my AirPod pros. Really don’t miss how much they have messed up my ears though. My ears have never been right since wearing them. ☹️

Could you share what has been the issue?
I love the AirPods Pro but it did take me about a week of one side doing some rubbing in my right ear... it went away.
And before getting the Max ones I would use these almost 24/7 (taking a break only to charge them). After months of that I did get about two days of a clogged-like almost no hearing issue... scary. Wonder if it is similar to your experience.

 

[twolf2919]

As someone else noted already - the 'stem' is kind of iconic by now. I'd much rather Apple find a way to keep the Pros popping out of people's ears. My wife and I never had any issues with the regular AirPods. We've both had the Pros literally "pop" out of our ears (I had a couple close calls at a urinal and a toilet :-( Besides none of the three sizes being right for us, the silicone, while super comfortable, just isn't grippy enough. I tried memory foam replacements which are much grippier, but not very comfortable for prolonged usage. So I don't know what the solution is either.

 

[AngerDanger]

Apple should figure out how to make a good seal easier to accomplish, maybe more than 3 sizes of ear pieces.

Or a small, unobtrusive pneumatic pump that lets you inflate the ear pieces to the desired size.

Bonus: they'd finally get to use the AirPower name.

 

[cmaier]

Or a small pneumatic pump that lets you inflate the ear pieces to the desired size.

They can keep the stem for that - just squeeze it a few times. ;-)

 

[LarryJoe33]

I have no idea what I am looking at and this article or find is poorly written.

RE: sizing Airpod tips better - I replaced the apple tips with memory foam gel tips and man, what an improvement in sound, seal and comfort.

 

[-DMN-]

Offering two sizes only burdens the environment more!!! Apple, I thought you cared about the environment??

 

[triangletechie]

I also prefer the original design. It fits perfectly. If they made that version with a shorter stem, I would be interested.

 

[cmaier]

Offering two sizes only burdens the environment more!!! Apple, I thought you cared about the environment??

How so?

 

[Bazooka-joe]

If there are two sizes then how are is an individual supposed to know which size fits them best without actually trying them on

 

[DeepIn2U]

I find it very hard to believe they would remove the stem. The Stem is the AirPods, without it they are just bluetooth headphones;

If you mean beamforming microphones there are nine of them on the AirPods Max, No stem needed.

 

[anshuvorty]

Yeah, I don't need these. I already am satisfied with my AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 1st Gen.

• AirPods Max: Desktop headphones, when I am at my desk and doing my work
• AirPods Pro: On the go earbuds, when I am traveling and moving about.

Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I’m more concerned about these pictures especially with the junction points where they become off-center when the stems from the bud part of the AirPods are Street in uniform so wiser in off-center junction?

 

[dz5b609]

Seems very un-Apple like to remove the characteristic 'feature' that is the stem.

 

[cmaier]

Seems very un-Apple like to remove the characteristic 'feature' that is the stem.

They removed the home button.

 

[giggles]

How I interpret this picture

Airpods Pro 2 - mouse-shaped SiP with shorter cable
Airpods Sport (successor to the Powerbeats Pro, in multiple colors) - mouse-shaped SiP with longer cable

Plus as previously rumored:

Airpods Pro Lite or Airpods 3 - square shaped SiP (yes Spatial Audio, no ANC/transparency)

 

[macduke]

Two different sizes or two different lengths of stem?

The only big thing I'd like to see improved on the AirPods Pro is issues with getting a good seal. The suck trick worked pretty well for a while but now I can't seem to get a good seal on the right one no matter what. Sucking does help the actual noise cancellation, but it's still a faint rumble in the background that's mainly noticeable if it's paused and it still fails the test. Otherwise they're pretty great. Longer battery life is always a plus, though.

Some different Apple-branded tips would be nice, too. I use some from Comply with mixed results. At first they had a sort of recall for issues with them popping off easily. Their customer service was good, though. But they seem to lose their fit over a couple months. Overall they seem more comfortable than the AirPods for long durations. I go back and forth. No doubt Apple could make something better, so hopefully they come through.

Lastly I want black ones. Or at least space gray.