Once we have passed the first half of the year, in which Apple has held its spring event and the annual WWDC 2021 developer event, we see how the brand’s next major event would take place in September, coinciding with the launch long of the new generation of iPhones 13.
Until then, it is possible that Apple may carry out new product launches, a trend that has become common throughout the past year 2020, and that we summarize here with our predictions of product launches that Apple could carry out in this month of July.
As you can see, the probability that the new AirPods (known as AirPods 3) will arrive in these summer months is unlikely, although not remote. However, it seems logical that Apple will launch them before the end of the year, most likely coinciding with the arrival of the iPhone 13.
Here are three key factors that make us think that the AirPods 3 will arrive this year.
First sign: The original HomePod discontinued
The first sign we have in the fact that Apple announced months ago that it is discontinuing the original HomePod in exchange for focusing on the evolution of the HomePod mini, the most basic and cheapest version of the smart speaker that currently costs €99.
This decision would reinforce the idea that Apple is refining its audio line and making room in its stores for the arrival of new audio products before their final launch, which could be in the coming months.
Second cue: Apple Music with Dolby Atmos spatial audio
Since last June, the Apple Music service has been offered to all users in high-fidelity audio or spatial audio mode.
In this way, Apple Music automatically plays in Dolby Atmos quality on all AirPods and Beats headphones with H1 or W1 chip and also on the built-in speakers on the latest versions of iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Not all content initially supports spatial audio quality, but Apple works with artists and labels to add new releases and hits as artists create music.
What better way to promote this new feature of your Apple Music service platform than to launch new AirPods 3 headphones that add to the current product portfolio. This makes us think that its launch is getting closer.
Some renders and images appearing online show the new headphones with a “semi-button design, combining some features of AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro.” The key difference seems to be that the shaft is slightly longer than on the AirPods Pro, but shorter than the current AirPods.
Third signal: Apple’s promotional video
The third sign is Apple’s new video promoting the AirPods Pro. Here’s a new ad titled “Jump,” highlighting features like Active Cancellation Mode (which provides external noise cancellation).
Currently, only AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max users enjoy this feature.
A February report hinted that the new AirPods 3 could adopt active noise cancellation, a feature that supports 52audio. This site highlights “its noise reduction ability can be compared to that of the AirPods Pro.
Thus, everything indicates that Apple’s wireless headphones, known as AirPods 3, would be among the products that will accompany the iPhone 13 next September. Soon we will be able to get rid of doubts.
In the meantime, you can take a look at our ranking of the best Apple headphones of 2021.
