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 earbuds with the long shank that sticks to your ear. But a new 52audio leak claims to show off the third-gen headphones with a shorter stem, so overall the design looks 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 would easily fall off when moving or running, so the tips can help provide a more secure fit. While the AirPods Pro have clickable rods, the AirPods 3 can have touch-sensitive surfaces to interact with the headphones.

A previous report from Bloomberg also indicated that the AirPods 3 may 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 on what to expect yet, although fidelity is likely to improve 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 would feature an integrated 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 the AirPods 3 be released?

Apple has yet to announce any launch events or dates for the AirPods. But many believe the third-generation AirPods could hit the market in March, 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 for the AirPods 3 to debut at the same price of $ 159 as current AirPods. But it’s unclear whether there will also be a $ 199 wireless charging box version, or if that would be the standard option.