Apple AirPods Pro 2: All the leaks and rumors we've heard so far

Apple launched the AirPods 3 last year, but we haven't seen an update to the AirPods Pro since 2019. Besides gaining a MagSafe-compatible case in 2021, Apple's most expensive wireless earbuds have largely remained unchanged. However, if rumors are true, that's going to change later in 2022. A new and improved version of the AirPods Pro with a refreshed design and other upgrades is said to be in the works, according to multiple reports.

The current AirPods Pro brought more premium features like active noise cancellation and a customizable fit to Apple's wireless earbuds. Based on the reports we've seen so far, the second-generation model will add further improvements such as a sleeker stemless design, a new charging case and fitness capabilities. Such changes could be important for Apple to remain competitive with rivals like Samsung, Bose and Sony.

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AirPods were initially marketed as a companion to the iPhone 7, Apple's first smartphone without a headphone jack. But in the five years since launch, AirPods have become the most popular wireless earbuds in the world. Apple's current AirPods lineup, alongside the aforementioned AirPods Pro, includes the $129 AirPods (second-generation), $179 AirPods (third-generation) and the $549 over-ear AirPods Max headphones.

Here's a closer look at what to expect from the possible AirPods Pro 2.

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The AirPods Pro 2 will likely launch in 2022, possibly in Q4

Reports from Bloomberg and reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo both say the AirPods Pro will arrive in 2022. But it's unclear precisely when we can expect to see the debut.

Kuo predicts the AirPods Pro 2 will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a research note obtained by MacRumors. That suggests they could be part of Apple's product blitz that typically takes place toward the end of the year. For example, Apple announced the iPhone 13 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 7, the AirPods 3 and a new line of MacBook Pro laptops this past September and October. Bloomberg, on the other hand, didn't specify a time frame within 2022 for the AirPods Pro 2's release.

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The AirPods Pro 2 may support lossless audio

Apple may give audiophiles something to be excited about with the AirPods Pro 2. The next-generation version may supportlossless audio, according to a note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo obtained by 9to5Mac and Apple Insider.Lossless audio compression preserves the original data from the original source file, resulting in generally improved audio quality. As Apple notes on its support page, you currently need a wired connection to listen to lossless audio on Apple products, unless you're using the device's built-in speakers.

Apple, of course, never talks about new products before they're announced. But Gary Geaves, Apple's vice president of acoustics, hinted that the company wants to work around the limits of Bluetooth technology to improve audio quality when speaking with home entertainment outlet What Hi-Fi.

"There's a number of tricks we can play to maximize or get around some of the limits of Bluetooth," Geaves told What Hi-Fi in December. "But it's fair to say that we would like more bandwidth and… I'll stop right there. We would like more bandwidth."

The AirPods Pro 2 may lose the stems

It might be time to say goodbye to the white glossy stems that AirPods have had since their 2016 launch. Apple's next AirPods Pro could have a more discreet, stem-free look similar to the Beats Studio Buds, according to Bloomberg. That report says only that Apple is testing this type of design, so it's unknown if it will be the design of the final product.

If this change is made, it would mark the first time that Apple has significantly redesigned its true wireless earbuds since the first AirPods Pro launched in 2019. It would also make the AirPods Pro look more like competing earbuds from Samsung, Amazon and Bose, among others.

It also raises the question of how Apple will implement touch controls on the next AirPods Pro model. The stems on the current version house Apple's Force Sensor, which lets you control media playback and access Siri. Without the stems, Apple would likely have to place these touch controls on the earbuds themselves, similar to the Beats Studio Buds.

The AirPods Pro 2 may also get a new case, according to Japanese blog Macotakara. That makes sense considering the case would have to be slightly different to match the buds' new design. The report gives the dimensions of this new case as being the same as the AirPods 3's case, which is water-resistant (unlike Apple's other AirPods cases). An investors note from Kuo, seen by AppleInsider and 9to5Mac, says the charging case for the next generation of AirPods Pro will also be able to emit a sound. This is said to make finding a lost or misplaced case easier.

Read more: AirPods Pro 2 might get a redesign that abandons the iconic stems, and that's a real shame

They might have fitness tracking features

AirPods can do a lot of things, but activity tracking isn't one of them. Apple might change that soon enough with the AirPods Pro 2, which will feature updated motion tracking sensors intended for fitness tracking, according to Bloomberg.

The report doesn't get into additional details, but an Apple patent application from 2017 suggests it could be exploring ways to measure biometric signals through earbuds.

Apple would be joining companies like Jabra and Amazon, both of which already offer fitness-oriented features in their respective wireless earbuds. Jabra's Elite Sport earbuds can track repetition counts during workouts and heart rate, while the Amazon Echo Buds can track workouts.

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What else we're expecting from the AirPods Pro 2

Although Apple hasn't said anything about its future plans for AirPods, there's a lot we can infer based on the AirPods 3. For example, the $179 AirPods offer slightly better battery life than both the pricier AirPods Pro and the second-generation AirPods. It seems plausible that Apple would improve the AirPods Pro 2's battery life to at least match, if not exceed, that of the AirPods 3.

It also wouldn't be surprising to see the next AirPods Pro gain the AirPods 3's skin detect sensor, which can more accurately detect when an AirPod is making contact with the wearer's ear versus a different surface.

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Another lingering question is how much the AirPods Pro 2 will cost. Apple sells the current AirPods Pro for $249, although you can usually find them for less elsewhere. We don't know anything for certain about Apple's future plans.

But if Apple discontinues the original AirPods Pro when it announces the new ones -- a strong possibility -- it could keep the $249 price for the new model. Apple didn't change the standard AirPods price when it launched the second-generation AirPods in 2019. And although the AirPods Pro may be a bit expensive compared with some of Apple's competitors, their popularity has proven that people are willing to pay a higher price.

If the rumors are accurate, it sounds like the new design and fitness tracking capabilities will be the biggest upgrades we can expect. Those changes might not be enough to sway anyone who's recently purchased the AirPods Pro. But they could be significant enough to convince those who bought the originals back in 2019 to upgrade. We'll have to wait until Apple makes an announcement to know for sure.

For more, check out how to find the best AirPods deals, CNET's list of the best Apple earbuds for 2022 and 21 AirPods tricks you'll want to try out today. You can also take a look at all the rumors we've collected about the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3.