Author: There is ample evidence that Apple is developing unique wireless oversized headphones and another pair of sports neckband headphones.
They won't be headphones from Beats. The gadgets will be under the Apple brand, and one of them will be named AirPods (X Generation), AirPods X, or AirPods Studio... Bloomberg announced in 2019 that Apple's headphones will use the company's branding and become a more expensive alternative to Beats headphones.
There was a leaked iOS 14 code, reports from well-known Apple watchers, and even a Target listing saying these headphones were real and coming soon.
AirPods Studio Price
Apple's unreleased earbuds even hit Target stores in February, indicating that the company is gearing up to release. It specifically named the headphones "Apple AirPods (X Generation)" and indicated that they would cost $ 399.99.
Keep in mind that Apple recently updated AirPods with a new and improved pair of ears - the $ 249 AirPods Pro. Since then, there have been rumors that the new earbuds could be called the AirPods Studio and will cost $ 349.
Multiple Target employees have started reaching out to me about this 🤔
Showing up in their systems and on UPC scanners is this mysterious “Apple AirPods (X Generation)” listing, priced at $ 399. 👀
Potentially Apple's over-ear “StudioPods” headphones. Launch soon (March)?
- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser)
Based on the above, it can be argued that future headphones will be called Apple AirPods Studio or AirPods X (short for AirPods X Generation).
Apple AirPods Studio (X) release date
Most likely the launch of AirPods Studio will be in mid 2020.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors in January via 9to5Mac that Apple earbuds should arrive in 2020 - I think that will happen around the middle of this year.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release in-ear headphones by the second half of 2019, but that hasn't happened. He also said that initially Apple wanted to introduce headphones by the end of 2018, but faced development challenges. Given the current global situation, it is likely that Apple will release the headphones through a press release rather than at an event with a full presentation.
Design
Apple AirPods Studio are traditional, full-size headphones. I think Apple will release the AirPods X at least in white, especially since the company only sells white versions of AirPods and AirPods Pro. The earbuds are likely to look minimalist and use high quality materials and technology.
9to5Mac noticed icons in the leaked iOS 14 code that represent headphones. These are actually the symbols that Apple uses to represent the battery level and volume level for connected iOS gadgets. 9to5Mac found both light and dark versions of the same symbols, suggesting that Apple may offer two color options - white and black. Select Apple and Beats headphones, including AirPods Pro, PowerBeats Pro, and PowerBeats 4were also available in several colors.
What's special about AirPods Studio
- Brand new design
- Better sound quality than AirPods
- ANC Noise Reduction
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to announce Apple's plans to release a pair of ears. In a 2018 MacRumors research note, he called them "Apple's signature high-quality on-ear headphones" with a "completely new design." The analyst described them as “as comfortable as AirPods, but with better sound quality,” which makes us wonder if they will be equipped with an Apple W1 chip?
9to5Mac also said Apple headphones should automatically pause and resume audio when you take them off or put them on. I think the headphones will be wireless and equipped with noise canceling (ANC) - where without it. Ideally, it would be great if the gadget was sold with a proprietary wireless charging stand. Alas, there is no evidence that this will be the case.
What was the latest Apple news?
Here's everything we've heard about AirPods X so far:
May 21, 2020: AirPods Studio due to launch soon!
According to The Information, shipments of the new AirPods Studio headphones are set to begin in June or July, which means they'll launch in a few weeks.
May 11, 2020: AirPods X could become AirPods Studio
The new earbuds may be called the AirPods Studio and will retail for $ 349 (according to John Prosser's tweet above).
April 8, 2020: Will AirPods X Really Be Cheap?
According to a new rumor from tech analyst John Prosser, the AirPods X are Beats X-style sports neckband headphones that debut alongside the iPhone 12 and will retail for $ 200. On-ear headphones have yet to be announced and will be launched for $ 350.
March 9, 2020: Apple headphones on iOS 14 leaks
9to5Mac noticed two icons representing the light and dark versions of Apple's high-end headphones in the iOS 14 code leak.
February 24, 2020: AirPods X Generation hints at new $ 400 headphones
Rumor has it that Apple is working on a new product, but could it be a new Beats model?
January 24, 2019: Apple May Release New Wireless Headphones Soon
Apple plans to release full-size headphones under its brand, and they may appear in the second half of 2019.
