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Alleged Leaked Image Claims to Show Third-Generation AirPods and Case

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A new image claims to offer our first real world look at Apple's next-generation AirPods. The image, shared by 52audio, showcases both AirPods and the charging case for what the site claims to be the third iteration of the wireless earbuds.

new-airpods-leaked-image-52audios.png


52audio has in the past shared images claiming to showcase different parts of the third-generation AirPods. Most notably, the site in November shared an x-ray image claiming to be the new AirPods, however, it was later proven to be faked and simply a compressed x-ray image of the current-generation AirPods Pro.

The image shared today, however, is in line with what we know so far about the third-gen AirPods. Bloomberg has reported that the new AirPods will take design cues from the AirPods Pro by having a smaller stem and silicone ear tips, but they will reportedly lack high-end features such as Active Noise Cancelation.

According to 52audio and a provided caption of the leaked image, the new AirPods will feature a pressure-relieving system, the same technology featured in the AirPods Pro. The system is meant to equalize pressure within your ear to remove any discomfort from using the AirPods for a prolonged period of time. Based on the image, the charging case will be less rectangular than the case that comes with the AirPods Pro, and more in keeping with the original AirPods case, but with the addition of an LED charging indicator on the front.

The third-generation AirPods may also be borrowing touch controls from the AirPods Pro. According to accompanying 3D renders from 52audio, each new earbud will feature touch control surfaces, instead of the single and double-tap controls on the current AirPods (first and second generation).

3d-renders-new-airpods-52audio.png


The new AirPods are expected to offer the same five hours of continuous audio playback as the second-generation AirPods, according to the latest report. This differs from details provided earlier by Bloomberg, however, which claims that Apple is looking to improve battery life on the new model beyond the current five hours of audio playback. Additionally, the new report claims that Spatial Audio support, a feature currently exclusive to the AirPods Pro, is "highly" probable for the new AirPods.

Apple analysts Ming-Chi Kuo said in November that mass production for the new AirPods will take place in the first half of the year. According to 52audio, the new AirPods are set to debut at the beginning of March. This week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman poured cold water on speculation that Apple will hold an event on March 16. He did however leave the door open for an event on another date in March.

Leaker Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting on Apple's plans, recently reported that an event on March 16 (now unlikely) will headline AirTags and new iPads. Apple released the AirPods Pro via a press release in 2019, so it remains to be seen how and when Apple will release the next-generation AirPods.

Article Link: Alleged Leaked Image Claims to Show Third-Generation AirPods and Case
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/21/next-gen-airpods-image-leak/
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Looks like they wont be in ear if they are missing the silicone tips. It says it has silicone but how is the case smaller?

I said this at the time when everyone was having a meltdown about it, that just because it has the same design doesnt mean it will be in ear like the pros. Just externally the same.
 
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peneaux said:
Funny how China will make a copy for a fraction of the cost and will sound the same. I don't know about the AirPods Pro but the regular AirPods sounds exactly the same as the original.

Click to expand...
It sounds ok but they can hear you so bad when you use it as headset.
 
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Seanm87 said:
Looks like they wont be in ear if they are missing the silicone tips. It says it has silicone but how is the case smaller?

I said this at the time when everyone was having a meltdown about it, that just because it has the same design doesnt mean it will be in ear like the pros. Just externally the same.
Click to expand...
Exactly! The photo makes it obvious that what it's inheriting from AirPods Pro is the shorter stem and fancier control methods, not the in-ear tips. Which always made the most sense—why discontinue a hugely successful design?

So why does the article repeat the rumor about the in-ear tips being carried over from the Pros?
 
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Apple just release an Air Pods 2 with standard case for $49 and you’ll sell a billion of them, no need for redesign. :p
 
Apple say... buy our product... I say... when... and with what card.

However, I'm an AirPod's Pro guy... yes I do edit with them... probably shouldn't but I do and remix with them.
 
Sheza said:
If they have silicone ear tips, I'm not buying them. Simple as.

I shall take advantage of the Gen 2 fire sale when it comes, and stock up. I simply can't stand silicone ear-tipped earphones.
Click to expand...

C. Robert said:
Anything that forms a seal or has silicon in my ear is a no go.
Click to expand...

All the rumours leading up to these over the past year made it sound like they were going to be designed like the Pros. I was really bummed about it as I prefer regular AirPods and hate the feel of the inner ear seal. If this pic is legit, looks like they may be smaller like the Pros, but still just hang in the ear like the regular AirPods. Let’s hope!
 
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Highly suspect of this source... clicked on the link to see the other pictures. They have an alleged x-ray of the new case, however, upon closer inspection they just used the x-ray for the AirPod Pros and condensed the widths and stretched the height in photoshop. I included a very quick edit I just did to demonstrate the technique.

The top picture in this MacRumors article is also clearly not a real AirPod unit.
AE3C4450-BF89-424F-8036-6250DF395276.jpeg
DC4D1E2D-0B08-40D5-AEFC-6F76F6B89FCD.jpeg
 
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Not sure how many people had a bad experience with the Pro design. For me the pros hurt my ears soo badly within 10 minutes of putting them on. Its the design of the Pros which allow the silicone tips to go into the ear but leaving the big chunk of plastic on the outer ear, which hurts my ears.
Also, unsure why people prefer the squeeze on the stem vs the tap controls? Far easier to tap and double tap than to fiddle around trying to squeeze a small stem and risk pulling out the earphone completely.
Hope the AirPods 3 keep the same plastic tip like the OGs as the squeeze thing is not such a big issue. If not, I will be stocking up on the OG airpods
 
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The one thing i like about my current AirPods is the lack of touch controls.
The thing i hate about my Sony headphones is the touch controls that make me want to violently throw them against a wall whenever i accidentally touch them
God i hate touch controls on headphones. Ill stick with the old airpods for now.
 
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