We could be waiting almost another year for Cupertino’s second-generation AirPods Pro refresh. A new report — citing sources in Apple’s supply chain — claims the new buds won’t drop until the third quarter of 2022.
Earlier rumors have indicated the upgrade could bring an even more compact design with a more rounded shape, plus motion sensors for fitness tracking.
Apple slow to update AirPods Pro
Unlike most other Apple products, AirPods haven’t seen annual hardware refreshes. There was well over two years between the second- and third-generation AirPods, and we could be waiting even longer for new AirPods Pro.
Tipster @FronTron, who claims to have sources in Apple’s supply chain, reports that the next AirPods Pro refresh will drop during the third quarter of 2022. That’s sometime between the beginning of July and the end of September.
@FronTron is a relatively unknown leaker with a limited track record up to this point. They have also reported that a future iPad mini refresh will get a 120Hz ProMotion display — a feature currently exclusive to Apple’s flagship devices.
While these claims should be taken with a pinch of salt, then, it does seem plausible that a second-generation AirPods Pro refresh could be a long way off, given Apple’s pattern for upgrading its wireless buds so far.
What to expect from AirPods Pro 2
It’s also worth noting that TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — who does have a reliable track record — has also reported that new AirPods Pro won’t land until 2022. However, he didn’t specify which quarter.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman — along with other analysts — have previously reported that the new buds could ship with a new, water-resistant design and motion sensors for fitness tracking.
