Apple's next-generation wireless earbuds with noise-canceling feature will debut at the end of October, according to a Chinese publication. And instead of it being the AirPods 3, the $260 earphones will be called AirPods Pro.
China Economic Daily reports that the third-gen AirPods will now come in an in-ear design to support the newly added noise-canceling feature, which should improve a wearer's listening experience. Apple has decided to go with the "Pro" suffix to identify the new wireless earphones as the more expensive variant among the existing AirPods.
In a separate report, the Chinese media outlet claims that the AirPods Pro will have better heat dissipation, thanks to its new metal design. Apple is also working with Chinese company Lixun to undertake the new orders, alongside AirPods supplier Inventec.
Famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in April that Apple is preparing two new AirPod variants to be mass produced before the end of 2019 or early 2020. The Cupertino tech giant is believed to have chosen Amkor, Goertek, and Luxshare as its main suppliers.
This new report makes Kuo's predictions again correct, as he has said that the new AirPods will be pricier than the previous versions and that it will feature an "all-new form factor design." Currently, AirPods 2 costs $160, and it comes with the option of a wireless charging case, though you'd have to pay $200 for that. As for the other model, nothing has been leaked, hinted, or predicted yet about its features.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg seems to be correct in his expectations as well, who previously said that the new AirPods will be capable of noise cancelation and should be water resistant.
The AirPods Pro launch would give Apple yet another new pair of headphones as the holiday shopping season begins. Earlier this week the company announced a new line of Beats Solo headphones, called the Solo Pro, that feature noise cancelation as well.
Rumors pointing to new AirPods emerged earlier this month when it was discovered an icon had been included in the 13.2 developer beta that could only be interpreted as earphones. Code snippets referring to different listening modes are also hinted in iOS 13.2, including one that's called "focus mode."
While the AirPods Pro has not been confirmed by Apple, it's not impossible that another media event could happen soon. If one is happening in October, we sure would want the new AirPods to have its own time in the spotlight.
