AirPods Professional 2: Design, options, launch date, worth, extra

Apple is about to launch AirPods Professional 2 in 2022. This new technology is rumored to deliver a brand new design, modern Lossless assist, in addition to health sensors for the primary time. Head beneath as we spherical up the newest rumors about this product.

AirPods Professional 2: New kind issue?

By the start of 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that AirPods Professional 2 would characteristic a brand new kind issue design nearer to the 2021 Beats Match Professional. With that, these wi-fi earbuds would lose their sterns by doubtless that includes an in-ear wingtip design.

If that’s the case, AirPods’ charging case would even be tweaked. Rumors consider it would stay 21mm thick, whereas will probably be 46mm tall and 54mm broad. For comparability’s sake, the present AirPods Professional charging case measures 45.2mm tall and 60.6mm broad.

Then in June, a brand new leak by 52audio, which accurately predicted the AirPods 3 design, reveals that AirPods Professional 2 will doubtless characteristic an identical design to the present technology, however with a tweak on the ear ideas.

As of now, no leaker or analyst predicted new colours for the AirPods Professional 2, though it’s doubtless that Apple will keep solely a white model of the product.

Options

Lossless assist

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was additionally the primary to report that Apple is planning to deliver Lossless assist to the AirPods Professional 2. He wrote again in January:

We anticipate Apple to launch AirPods Professional 2 in 4Q22 with new promoting factors, together with a brand new kind issue design, assist for Apple Lossless (ALAC) format, and a charging case that may emit a sound for customers to trace. We’re optimistic concerning the demand for AirPods Professional 2 and estimate shipments will attain 18–20mn items in 2022.

By the top of 2021, AirPods’ creator addressed the restrictions of Bluetooth in an interview. Gary Geaves, Apple’s VP of Acoustics, has stated that Apple would love a wi-fi commonplace that enables for extra bandwidth. 

“Clearly the wi-fi expertise is important for the content material supply that you simply speak about,” he says, “so we have now to pay attention very arduous on squeezing probably the most that we are able to out of the Bluetooth expertise, and there’s quite a lot of tips we are able to play to maximise or get round a number of the limits of Bluetooth. But it surely’s truthful to say that we want extra bandwidth and… I’ll cease proper there. We wish extra bandwidth”, he smiles.

If analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is true, Apple might be adopting a brand new commonplace to supply Lossless assist with AirPods Professional 2.

New chip and low-energy Bluetooth assist

9to5Mac sources affirm that the next-generation AirPods Professional – codenamed B698 – will characteristic the subsequent model of the H1 chip, Apple’s personal audio processor. As well as, references for LC3 codec assist on the AirPods Max beta firmware tease that AirPods Professional 2 might be the primary so as to add Bluetooth 5.2 assist.

This codec will deliver extra stability and effectivity to the wi-fi earbuds. Not solely that, however this new commonplace will assist AirPods Professional 2 enhance the sound high quality for voice calls and songs with higher-bitrate assist. Though low-energy Bluetooth and LC3 codec don’t promise “Lossless Bluetooth,” it would absolutely enhance sound high quality by so much.

Well being sensors

Kuo additionally believes that “AirPods might assist well being administration features sooner or later,” corroborating earlier studies.

A research led by Apple reveals how AirPods might be used to watch respiratory fee. The research discovered that this audio is usually a “viable sign for passively estimating” respiratory charges, additionally making it a cheaper approach of doing so in comparison with conventional healthcare.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman additionally believes that Airpods Professional 2 can have new health monitoring options:

Apple has been testing a brand new design with a good shorter stern or no stern in any respect, plus new movement sensor for health.

As well as, it will not be as shocking if Apple provides health-tracking options as an indie developer launched an app that tells whether or not your posture is nice utilizing AirPods’ sensors. Fairly neat, proper?

Lightning or USB-C connector?

In Could, Kuo predicted that the AirPods Professional 2 charging case will nonetheless characteristic a Lightning port for charging, dashing hopes for a switchover to USB-C this 12 months.

Kuo reported in Could that Apple is presently testing the iPhone 15 with a USB-C port for charging. The analyst additionally predicted that when (or if) the iPhone switches to USB-C charging, Apple may also transition AirPods and different equipment to USB-C. 

In June, 52audio speculated that the up to date charging case for the AirPods Professional 2 will swap to USB-C primarily based on its leaked photographs, as you possibly can see right here.

When will Apple launch AirPods Professional 2?

The unique AirPods Professional was first launched by the top of 2019. Ming-Chi Kuo believes that AirPods Professional 2 is anticipated to enter mass manufacturing in the course of the second half of the 12 months. He additionally notes that AirPods Professional 2 can be manufactured in Vietnam, signaling a discount in Apple’s reliance on China.

This comes after the Wall Road Journal reported that Apple has knowledgeable a few of its suppliers that it desires to shift manufacturing from China to hubs in Vietnam and India.

Beforehand, Kuo stated AirPods Professional 2 would launch round This fall of 2022, that means the product may see the sunshine of day round September-November, relying on Apple’s plan to announce this product alongside new iPhones, Mac, or iPads.

How a lot will AirPods Professional 2 value?

As of now, rumors don’t account for AirPods Professional 2 pricing. At present, the primary technology prices $249. If Apple provides new well being sensors to this product + Lossless assist, it’s doubtless that Apple may improve its price ticket as much as $50.

It’s additionally vital to try the corporate’s technique with AirPods 3. Kuo described it as a “failed product segmentation technique,” by saying Apple will doubtless discontinue AirPods Professional when launching the brand new mannequin.

AirPods 3 orders for 2-3Q22 have been lower by 30%+. As a result of failed product segmentation technique, demand for AirPods 3 is considerably weaker than for AirPods 2. AirPods Professional might get discontinued after Apple launches AirPods Professional 2 in 2H22 to keep away from repeating the identical mistake.

Wrap-up

There’s so much to be excited concerning the new AirPods Professional 2. If rumors transform true, anticipate Lossless playback, a brand new kind issue, and well being and health sensors.

That stated, when you don’t assume you’ll want all of those options, this might be the proper second to purchase the unique AirPods Professional, AirPods Max, and even Apple’s 20W charger.

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