It looks like new AirPods are coming, they were already leaked in the iOS 16.4 update and we might see them very soon.
Apple has released the Release Candidate version of iOS 16.4, that is, the final beta version that will coincide 100% with the official update that will reach all users. And, as we discovered, this new beta version includes references to some new AirPods models which have not yet been disclosed.
The last AirPods to be released were the AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods 3 haven’t been released for too long, so long You’d think these are the new AirPods Max, which are the AirPods that haven’t been updated for the longest time.. However, we only know its serial number.
New AirPods that could be an upgrade with USB-C
As discovered and shared by @aaronp613, in iOS 16.4 we find references to the new AirPods with model number A3048 and a new case with model number A2968. While we’re not expecting any new AirPods right now, seeing these model numbers in iOS 16.4 means its release could be close.
Exclusive: iOS 16.4 refers to new AirPods with model number A3048 and new AirPods case with model number A2968
—Aaron (@aaronp613) March 21, 2023
There are many theories about the meaning of these numbers. They are rumored to be the new “cheap AirPods” that Apple is preparing to replace the AirPods 2. But they could also be certain new AirPods Max and a new USB-C charging case for AirPods Prosomething that is known to come sooner or later.
Serial numbers don’t tell us much because they each model of AirPods has included a new identification number without much logic, they simply increased the number. Here are the model numbers of all the AirPods Apple has released so far:
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation): A2931, A2699 and A2698
- AirPods (3rd generation): A2565 and A2564
- AirPods Max: A2096
- AirPods Pro: A2084, A2083
- Year of presentation: 2019
- AirPods (2nd generation): A2032, A2031
- AirPods (1st generation): A1523, A1722
Anyway, at the moment we don’t know much more about these AirPods. We know that Apple is going to make a Transition from Lightning to USB-C on all its devices, so the iPhone 15 and the next models of AirPods that the company will present will have USB-C instead of Lightning.