Personalized spatial audio is set to debut with the upcoming AirPods 4, which will also introduce gesture controls to interact with Siri, such as nodding your head to answer calls. Accompanying the new AirPods is an updated charging case, offering a total battery life of 30 hours. Users can recharge the case using either USB-C or, for those with the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) version, through wireless charging. Both versions of the AirPods 4 are currently available for pre-order and will officially launch on September 20.
Apple has also announced fresh color options for its over-ear AirPods Max headphones, now utilizing USB-C charging in place of Lightning. The new colors include midnight, blue, orange, purple, and starlight. Initially released in 2020, the AirPods Max are known for their premium quality and high price, which remains steady at $549. These headphones will also be available starting September 20.
While Apple is not releasing a new version of the AirPods Pro, it is enhancing the hearing protection features in the AirPods Pro 2. One notable addition is a function that reduces sound levels in noisy environments, allowing users to utilize them similarly to earplugs—making it likely to see concertgoers wearing AirPods while enjoying the music. Moreover, the Pro 2 models will include a clinical hearing test to assess hearing loss and provide over-the-counter hearing aid certification, enabling the AirPods to function as actual hearing aids. This development has the potential to impact the growing market for OTC hearing aids.
Additionally, the newly updated Siri and Apple Intelligence features will not be available at the launch of iOS 18 or with the release of the iPhone 16. Instead, these features will be introduced through an iOS 18.1 software update in the coming weeks. More information can be found in our iOS 18 feature roundup, but in essence, these enhancements aim to elevate the presence of artificial intelligence on the iPhone..
