The AirPods 4 will be released next month in two variants

Apple will release the AirPods 4 next month in two new variants, which are intended to replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

AirPods 4 come in two variants

Bloomberg Apple analyst Mark Gurman confirms in the latest issue of his Power On Newsletter that Apple plans to release two new variants of AirPods 4 during its iPhone 16 event next month.

AirPods 2 and AirPods 3

Apple has been selling the AirPods 2 as an entry-level option since early 2019. They often retail for around $120, making them a very affordable option for anyone new to the world of wireless earbuds. All of the modern AirPods features are missing.

The AirPods 3 have been available since October 2021 and have a number of upgrades, including Spatial Audio, a new pressure sensor on the stems, charging via an Apple Watch charger and an improvement in sound quality. These are interesting upgrades and you can currently buy the AirPods 3 for around 175 euros. The AirPods 2 have remained on sale during this time, alongside the AirPods 3.

The AirPods 4 replaces both of them

According to Gurman, the two AirPods 4 variants are intended to replace both models. The entry-level model would replace the AirPods 2, the other model the AirPods 3. Both models have a similar design, with one key difference: active noise cancellation.

Gurman says the higher-end AirPods 4 have active noise cancellation, while the entry-level model does not. That said, the higher-end AirPods 4 should not be confused with the AirPods Pro 3, which he says will not get an update until later.

Both versions of the AirPods 4 will likely move to USB-C. It’s possible that the entry-level AirPods 4 will not have any form of wireless charging, while the more expensive version will. Apple followed this strategy with both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3, so it’s possible that it will continue with the new AirPods.

It remains to be seen what Apple will call the AirPods 4 variants. They may be called AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 Lite. It is also unclear what price the new AirPods 4 will get. In any case, it won’t be long before we find out.