Kuo: Second-Generation AirPods Pro to Launch in Second Half of 2022

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of 2022, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a tweet today.

While the second-generation AirPods have remained available to purchase since Apple released third-generation AirPods last year, Kuo said Apple may discontinue the original AirPods Pro when the new ones are released later this year. Apple announced the AirPods Pro on October 30, 2019, making them nearly two and half years old.

Kuo also said that demand for the third-generation AirPods is "significantly weaker" than for the second-generation AirPods, resulting in Apple reducing its third-generation AirPods orders from suppliers by at least 30% in the second to third quarter of this year.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1511358915426263046

Kuo has previously claimed that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a "significantly upgraded" wireless chip compared to the H1 chip in the original AirPods Pro. The chip powers audio-related functions like active noise cancellation, and improvements to this technology could result in improved battery life for longer listening time per charge. Kuo also expects the new AirPods Pro to support lossless audio on Apple Music.

Kuo also previously claimed that the new AirPods Pro charging case will be able to emit a sound to help users find it when misplaced. It is likely the charging case will also have water resistance like the third-generation AirPods charging case.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu have previously reported that Apple has tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems that drop below the earbuds. If this ends up being the final design, the new AirPods Pro could look similar to Apple's Beats Studio Buds released last year.

Gurman and Wu also claimed the new AirPods Pro would feature motion sensors for fitness tracking capabilities alongside the Apple Watch.

Article Link: Kuo: Second-Generation AirPods Pro to Launch in Second Half of 2022

 

[Justin Cymbal]

I’m definitely planning to get these later this year

I hope that Apple improves the noise cancellation in the 2nd gen version

Hopefully Apple adds additional health features to this year’s version as well

 

[dantracht]

Cool. Battery life and fit improvements for me please.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

DO NOT REDESIGN them, they are perfect as they are.

 

[gwhizkids]

Makes sense. You can only get so much mileage out of selling the earlier models. Without discrete naming conventions, leads to consumer confusion. Right now, people view AirPods as the "base" model and AirPods Pro as the "luxury" model. Having 2 tiers within those lineups is confusing.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Can we please get AirPods Pro in new colors? They will sell like hot cakes.

 

[filmantopia]

In the before times I used my AirPods (and then AirPods Pro) ALL THE TIME. Had them on my whole subway commute and even while at the office.

But ever since the pandemic, and I started working from home, my AirPods' use has dramatically dropped. AirPods Pro 2 would have been a no-brainer for me, but now I'm not sure I can justify for something I currently use maybe once a week at most.

 

[A_Hunger_Artist]

I waited so long before jumping in on AirPods and finally picked up pair of pros before a flight during the holidays last year. Now I can't imagine life without them, they're probably my second most used piece of tech beside my iPhone itself. Definitely will pick up the second gen the day they're launched!

 

[TimWillz]

Lossless audio support - take my money.

 

[mwinterr]

Would love to see the ability for two sets of AirPod Pro 2's connected to Apple TV be able to independently have access to Spatial Audio. Currently, only one connected headset at a time can access Spatial Audio.

 

[ScottishDuck]

Lossless is the only feature I’d be looking for. Removable battery would be great but we know that’s not happening.

 

[salutcemoi]

I just bought the Airpods Pro last week so I'm good for now lol

 

[Amarq09]

Are the airpod pros capable of being used as mic source for zoom meetings yet?

All the people I hear on meetings with airpods sounds pretty bad.

 

[_Spinn_]

After 3 years it is definitely time for an update.

 

[NewUsername]

I understand the AirPods 2 still sell well. For the average consumer, the difference between AirPods 2 and 3 is close to nothing, but the price difference is significant. And they definitely won’t care that AirPods 3 comes with a USB-C cable instead of a USB-A cable, or that the AirPods 3 case has wireless charging.

 

[supergt]

My day 1 airpod pros had amazing noise cancellation that apple degraded via forced firmware updates. I won't be happy when version 2 comes out with better ANC.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I am ready for an upgrade. Launch-day IPP have been out of AC+ coverage for ~6 months now, getting pretty long in the tooth.

 

[ghostface147]

Returned the third generation AirPods from my stepdaughter because they kept falling out of her ears and she didn’t like having to click to do functions. Swapped them out for the 2nd gen.

 

[Red Oak]

Apple never keeps old "Pro" models around after introducing new Pro models. Any half-brained analyst would implicitly know that

The strategy of keeping last gen non-Pro models around has worked VERY well for iPhones

The more he tweets, the more I think he is a charlatin

 

[jicon]

Water resistant case would be nice. I had left my case and airpods v1 in a pocket that got washed, and no longer charged. Fortunately we had moved in to a house we bought two months earlier, and upon pulling weeds out of the grass, inadvertently speared an old charging case from the previous owner, or visitor that worked like a charm still. Unbelievable luck unearthing that, and still have it work.

 

[Macative]

The charging case needs massive improvement. It needs a bigger battery and ability to fully recharge AirPods more times on a single charge. It also needs wireless charging improvements. Very often the case gets red hot while wireless charging and doesn't actually charge at all. It needs to seat the ear buds more securely, it is very easy to drop them in and have the magnets not properly align, and one side or the other not charge at all.

The buds themselves are find, except they inexplicably do not work with dictation at all. Apple could also come up with a better ear wax management system.

 

[Macative]

Apple never keeps old "Pro" models around after introducing new Pro models

Any half brain analyst would implicitly know that

True, but do not underestimate Apple's greed. If there is one single thing improved about the AirPods Pro 2, I would not be surprised to see them simply add them to the lineup at $50 more.

 

[oneMadRssn]

In the before times I used my AirPods (and then AirPods Pro) ALL THE TIME. Had them on my whole subway commute and even while at the office.

But ever since the pandemic, and I started working from home, my AirPods' use has dramatically dropped. AirPods Pro 2 would have been a no-brainer for me, but now I'm not sure I can justify for something I currently use maybe once a week at most.

Same here, but my usage has shifted but stayed about the same. I used to use the APP app every day on the subway. But then when the pandemic hit, I started using them while walking the dog. I used to walk the dog without music/podcasts, but since the pandemic I've found it's a good time to catch up on podcasts or call someone I haven't talked to in a while.

 

[Andres Cantu]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: upgrade the AirPods 2 design. The AirPods 3 fall out of my ears. I can’t be the only one, and the frequent sales plus this cut in orders backs that up.

 

[xpxp2002]

I just bought the Airpods Pro last week so I'm good for now lol

Return them and wait. Seriously.

I've had my AirPods Pro replaced under the service program once already, and with the "clicking" sound returning while on calls, they sound like they're due again. I've talked to other people who have already gone through four replacements. Since AirPods are notorious for not being "repairable," I don't think they are using refurb hardware replacements, but simply have never figured out how to permanently fix this design.

Given the unsolved ANC degradation problems, I'd never advise anyone to buy this generation of AirPods Pro at this point. I'd wait for and proceed cautiously to AirPods Pro 2 instead.