The year 2020 was a quiet one for Apple’s own wireless earbuds line, but that is expected to change in the coming month. The tech giant is anticipated to make announcements for the much-awaited AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2, and here are some of the early rumors about their designs and features.
AirPods 3: Entry-level features with new design
Apple is expected to introduce new entry-level wireless earbuds likely to be named AirPods 3. Various credible sources agree that it is planned to launch with a new design, but already familiar.
The AirPods 3 is expected to take on the form factor initially used for the first AirPods Pro. In that case, the next entry-level wireless earbuds will likely feature an in-ear design. It could also feature interchangeable earbud tips. The smaller build also suggests Apple could adopt the system-in-package technology, which was also present on the high-end earbuds.
AirPods 3 may end up looking like the AirPods Pro, but that is where the similarity ends. It will still be an entry-level product, so Apple fans should not expect it to have high-end features like the Active Noise Cancellation.
It is still unclear what upgraded features could be expected on the AirPods 3.
AirPods Pro 2: MagSafe-compatible charging case?
More changes are planned for the AirPods Pro 2 design-wise since it will not make sense for it to look exactly like the AirPods 3. It is anticipated to feature an all-new form factor, and Apple has been reportedly testing a design where the earbuds will no longer have stems.
The new earbuds form factor is likely to affect the charging case’s appearance as well. However, redesigning the AirPods Pro 2 case could have more functions. It is expected to be slightly smaller than its predecessor, possibly to match the size of the MagSafe charging puck.
It does not necessarily mean the case would have magnetic features, though. If the case would be small enough, AirPods Pro 2 users can simply dock it on the MagSafe charger.
Meanwhile, there is no word yet if Apple is working on a next-gen chip for the AirPods launching this year. A specific release date is still unknown, but both earbuds are reportedly planned to arrive within 2021.


Judge Dismisses Sam Altman Sexual Abuse Lawsuit, But Sister Can Refile
Apple Defies China's Smartphone Slump with Strong Early 2026 Sales
Nvidia's Jensen Huang Credits Samsung for Manufacturing New AI Chips, Boosting Stock
AMD CEO Lisa Su Heads to Samsung's South Korea Chip Facility Amid AI Expansion Talks
xAI Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Grok AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Meta Eyes Massive Layoffs to Fund AI Ambitions
Trump White House Unveils National AI Policy Framework for Congress
Amazon's "Transformer" Phone: Can It Succeed Where Fire Phone Failed?
Cyberattack on Stryker Triggers U.S. Government Warning Over Microsoft Intune Security
Xiaomi's AI Model "Hunter Alpha" Mistaken for DeepSeek's Next Release
Elliott Investment Management Takes Multibillion-Dollar Stake in Synopsys
Palantir's Maven AI Earns Pentagon "Program of Record" Status, Reshaping Military AI Strategy
Nvidia Develops Groq AI Chips for Chinese Market Amid Export Shift
Jeff Bezos Eyes $100 Billion Fund to Transform Manufacturing With AI
Super Micro Computer Shares Plunge After Co-Founder Charged in AI Chip Smuggling Case
SK Hynix Chairman Warns of Memory Chip Shortage Through 2030 Amid AI Boom 



