AirPods 3 rumors: next-gen Apple headphones look very familiar in this leaked photo

Apple could be ready to release a new pair of AirPods in March. New leaks suggest that the third generation of Apple’s regular AirPods will share some features with the $ 249 AirPods Pro, like spatial audio support. They can also have a shorter stem, interchangeable tips, and a smaller charging case than AirPods Pro. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming AirPods 3.

AirPods 3 may look more like AirPods Pro

So far we’ve had two generations of regular AirPods, the wireless headphones with the long shank that sticks to your ear. But a new 52audio leak claims to show off the third-gen earphones with a shorter stem, so overall the design is more like the AirPods Pro.

The AirPods 3 can also borrow the interchangeable tip design of the AirPods Pro to provide a tighter in-ear fit than current AirPods, which simply sit in your ear. Some users have found that regular AirPods fall easily when moving or running, so the tips can help provide a more secure fit. While the AirPods Pro have clickable rods, the AirPods 3 may have touch-sensitive surfaces to interact with the earbuds.

A previous report from Bloomberg also indicated that the AirPods 3 might share a similar design to the AirPods Pro, adding that entry-level AirPods would lack active noise cancellation. So far, it’s unclear whether the AirPods 3 would have a transparency mode, a way to channel external sounds to make you more aware of your surroundings.

Read more: 3 AirPods upgrades I wish Apple would make this year

Will the AirPods 3 also be compatible with spatial audio?

This is the rumor. First introduced with the release of iOS 14 on AirPods Pro and later on AirPods Max headphones, spatial audio uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to give a virtual surround sound effect when watching movies and music. TV shows supported on an iPhone or iPad.

The 52audio report suggests that the battery life would remain the same as the current second-generation AirPods, totaling around 5 hours. The case would entail additional costs, as is currently the case. In the leaked images, the case appears to divide the difference between the more square AirPods and the rectangular AirPods Pro cases.

When it comes to sound quality, there aren’t any clear details yet on what to expect, although it’s likely there would be some fidelity improvements over regular AirPods. TF International Securities research analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has had a solid background in Apple rumors over the years, released a note in July 2020 claiming that the AirPods 3 will feature a built-in system similar to the AirPods Pro, which means the audio quality is likely to be comparable.

It’s also safe to assume that other AirPods and AirPods Pro features like fast switching will be coming to the AirPods 3 as well.

When will AirPods 3 be available?

Apple has yet to announce any launch events or dates for the AirPods. But many believe the third-generation AirPods could be released in March, which is a typical release month for Apple. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were both announced in a press release, so it wouldn’t be too surprising for Apple to do the same with the AirPods 3.

It makes sense that the AirPods 3 will debut for the same price of $ 159 as the current AirPods. But it’s unclear if there will also be a $ 199 wireless charging box version, or if that would be the standard option.