Thomson Reuters
Apple AirPods are displayed during a media event in San Francisco
- Apple is expected to launch a new version of its AirPods wireless earbuds later this year, followed by a more significant redesign in 2020.
- Although AirPods have been generally well-received, there are a few features available on rival headphones that we'd like to see on Apple's earbuds in the future.
It's been more than two years since Apple introduced its AirPods in 2016 - the $159 wireless earbuds that automatically pair with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and work with Siri.
But the AirPods were, and are, more than just an interesting-yet-pricey substitute for wired headphones, which Apple announced alongside its first headphone jack-less iPhone. They also introduced some practical new features, such as the ability to automatically pause music when removed from your ear.
Now, however, the competition is quickly heating up for Apple as companies like Samsung continue to introduce compelling alternatives. As such, Apple is reportedly working on two new pairs of AirPods: a minor update that could launch later this year, and a revamped model slated for 2020, according to often-reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities. The version launching in 2019 is expected to feature Bluetooth upgrades and support wireless charging.
Here's a look at some of the other features we'd like to see on future AirPod iterations.