While everyone on earth is talking over the second generation Apple AirPods which are called as AirPods 2. I am so much exited to determine if I would wait for the launch or but AirPod 1? So I started collecting information from countless websites at single page to compare the new features expected or rumored in the latest version of AirPods. Please do comment and tell me if you get any news or photos of the new generation AirPods. Most of the reports indicate launch of new and improved version of Apple’s wireless headphones coming in early 2019.
A million Dollar Question is shall you buy the Airpods 1 or wait for the Airpods 2?
Lets find out by having what you expect out of the latest Airpods 2 launch and then take this difficult call due to the fact that Apple has yet to make a formal announcement for the AirPods 2!
Apple AirPods 2 vs AirPods 1 – Specs, Features, Price comparison
| Apple’s wireless headphones |
Apple AirPods 1 |
Apple AirPods 2 |
Code name B288 |
||
| A new look? | Refreshed second generation design – resembles competitors like Jabra’s Elite 65t and Bragi’s The Headphone | |
| Apple-designed wireless chip | W1 chip | W2 or an updated W2 Which means improved connections with Bluetooth devices. |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 Means improved wireless performance like longer wireless range and better battery life |
| Apple’s Siri digital assistant with hands-free Siri activation | Tapping AirPods 1 invoke Siri (no voice control possible) | AirPods 2 invoke Siri with Voice command like on mobile, so no need to touch your iPhone or iPad to activate Siri |
| Noise cancellation | Not available | Noise cancellation, resulting into improved audio performance and call quality by reducing the amount of ambient noise while you’re on a call or listening to music. This will be achieved using physical analog methods rather than Active noise cancelling like latest Beats Studio headphones. |
| Refer 9to5mac.com report | ||
| Water Resistant / Waterproof | No | Water Resistant – Basically Sweat proof or survive splashes of water and rain and not Swim proof |
| Refer Bloomberg report | ||
| Sports features – explicitly designed for sports? | No fitness tracking features | Biometric functionality, such as a heart rate monitor |
| Refer news by Patently Apple | ||
| Fitness tracking | Not available | accelerometers, and a pulse oximeter, much like Jabra’s Elite Sport. |
| Patently Apple news – AirPods trademark filings for Class 10 classification, which includes “health, fitness, exercise and wellness sensors.” | ||
| Wireless charging using AirPower mat? | Not available | wireless charging case compatible with the upcoming AirPower charger. Which mens AirPods can be charged without plugging them in |
| Portable playback | Not available | a case that has built-in storage and playback controls, plus the ability to play audio through its charging port. |
| Refer news by Cult of Mac | ||
Price |
Check latest price of AirPods |
$150 ? Most probable |
Check launch price availability on Amazon |
||
| Release date / Launch date | December 2016 | Expected early 2019 |
While I have talked much on the potential expected features of the Apple AirPod 2, I have taken extensive reference of reputed websites across the globe. Basically more information is available or guessed from the latest trademark and Bluetooth SIG filings done by Apple.
As an example the resent trademark filings in Europe and Hong Kong contains some crucial piece of information such as applying for a Class 10 designation! Which strengthens the guess of entering into the area of fitness tracking.
Also it looks like the AirPods 2 recently cleared Bluetooth SIG Certification for Bluetooth 5.0.
What the world expects from Apple is evident from the success of their AirPods 1 and people do expect Apple to do miracle of packaging everything in the tiny package of AirPods!
Rumors talk about the improved Bluetooth version to 5.0 which promises flawless connectivity with lower power consumption delivering music for longer duration in the same power-pack.
This will be further enhanced by use of latest in-house developed chip W2 which will handle task of wireless connectivity too.
Nothing wrong in expecting wireless voice activation of Siri which in AirPod 1 can be achieved with a tap of buds.
And while people don’t want to take them off in warm whether or during morning walk or running, slight enhancement to get the Swetproof Airpods is completely viable.
Although they can’t be made showerproof or used while you swim! But even if they make it IPX8 rated, and you wear them during swimming, there are chances of getting them drawn inside pool and there will be no chances of finding them again!
And as you expect them to be Sweatproof making them viable to be used during exercise, extension of getting into fitness tracking features integration. But I am not sure how so many things like bio-metric sensors can be packaged into such small space. Also it will be challenging to get the heart rate sensed only by plugging into ear canals.
Something that is slightly missing into present AirPods is improved Noise isolation, unless you achieve best fit into air canals, so reasonable expectation is to get some improvements … Rumors says that Apple is working on some patented valve system which allows sound escaping while you speak over phone avoiding weird reverberating effect.
Finally the most dreamed content and height of laziness to put small buds for charging … Yes, wireless charging …
This will go well with the most awaited wireless charging device as called as AirPower which will also support iPhone X, iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, Apple Watch 3 and the existing AirPods (via a new charging case).
Apple AirPods 2 release date and price
All that I can say is to wait till Q1 of year 2019, this is what the best guess so far.
And while I predict on the cost front, there is no reason but to stay back on $159 / £159 / AU$229 which is widely acceptable!
No I think if really Apple adds the fitness features, the price can be easily staked for $250 mark for sure and mind it I am ready to pay for it.
Well please do let me know the price expectation from your side too, simply put in some comments and if you guess it right … then !
References for writing this post are taken from |
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| tomsguide.com report | AirPods 2 Rumor Roundup: Release Date, Price, Features and Mor |
| Apple considering AirPod charging case with Bluetooth speaker | A case for a wireless electronic listening device (e.g., a pair of wireless earbuds) is configured to house a pair of wireless earbuds and charge the earbuds when they are in the case. The case is further configured to receive media received by the wireless earbuds and transmit the media to a non-wireless output device connected to the case. |
| Refer US Patent office link | |
| 9to5mac.com Report | Barclays analyst report suggests ‘AirPods 2’ with better noise cancelling coming in early 2019 |