Apple’s AirPods–which dropped with a bit of controversy and little interest back in 2016–hit some kind of inflection point around 2018, and suddenly became the hot thing. This was handily timed for the 2019 updates, as the 2nd-gen and then Pro versions of the AirPods launched to a newly receptive public and sold like the proverbial hotcakes. Then came the AirPods Max in late 2020, the 3rd-generation AirPods in 2021, and the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro in 2022.

Where next, then, for the AirPods? In this article we will look at all the different AirPods, evaluating when Apple might next update them and the new features that could arrive with the next generation.

At the Apple Event on September 9, Apple unveiled the new AirPods 4, replacing the 2nd and 3rd generation AirPods. There are two models, a cheaper AirPods 4 and a more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC. The cheaper version matches up to the expectation that Apple was planning to launch AirPods Lite.

Apple also updated the AirPods Max with a USB-C plug, and refreshed the colors. Nothing else has changed about those models though.

In addition, Apple revealed that new hearing-related features are coming to the AirPods Pro in 2024. On September 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it authorized Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” for the AirPods Pro. The technology then arrived in late October 2024. Read about How to set up AirPods Pro 2 to work as a hearing aid.

Read on for more information about the newest AirPods and what’s expected for the models Apple still hasn’t updated.

We also have a comparison of all the AirPods.

Are there new AirPods?

AirPods 4: Apple updated the standard AirPods in September 2024. The AirPods 4 replace the 2nd-gen AirPods and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) replace the 3rd-gen AirPods. Read our AirPods 4 with ANC review and AirPods 4 vs old AirPods to find out what’s new.

AirPods Max: The AirPods Max also had an update in September 2024, nearly four years after they were introduced in December 2020, but Apple isn’t acknowledging it as a generational update. Instead, Apple introduced “New colors” and has updated the plug to USB-C (replacing lightning).

AirPods Pro 2: While the 2nd-gen models were introduced in 2022, in September 2023 they were updated. Apple didn’t consider this update significant enough for a generational change, so they are still known as the 2nd generation AirPods Pro, but the ‘new’ model that was introduced in September 2023 comes with a USB-C charging case (replacing the lightning port) and slightly better dust proofing. Alongside the USB-C charging case, there is also a change to their IP rating, now IP54 (which indicates better dustproofing). They went on sale on September 22, 2023. In September 2024, Apple revealed that new hearing-related features are coming to AirPods Pro. These features arrived in October 2024 with the iOS 18.1 update.

EarPods: Apple last updated the wired EarPods with a USB-C cable at the September 2023 event, they previously had a Lightning cable.

AirPods 4 release date: When will the new AirPods come out? 

• On sale from September 20

Below you will see the pricing and where to buy information for the new AirPods where you are, and the best prices from third parties.

Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)

Read our review

Best Prices Today:


$168.99 at Amazon |
$179 at Adorama |
$179.99 at Best Buy