New AirPods Pro earbuds could debut at Apple event this week

Applemay have a last-minute surprise in store at its iPhone 14 event.

We may see more than just the expected iPhone 14 phones and Apple Watch Series 8 wearables during the Sept. 7 event, according to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletterat Bloomberg. The Apple prognosticating reporter said a follow-up to 2019’s AirPods Prois on the way and will be unveiled on Wednesday.

Rumors of an AirPods Pro successor have been floating around for a while, with a reportlast year courtesy of Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stating that heavily redesigned AirPods Pro earbuds would launch in late 2022. According to Kuo, Apple is dropping the famous elongated stem that has protruded out of the ears of anyone wearing AirPods since the product line first launched in 2016 in favor of an in-ear stabilizing stem similar to what’s on Apple’s excellent Beats Fit Proearbuds. 

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The Beats Fit Pro are apparently a design inspiration for the new AirPods Pro. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

As for the price, release date, and other standout features, we’ll have to wait and see if Apple does indeed reveal the new earbuds this week. The $250 AirPods Pro have gotten a bit long in the tooth, getting lapped by the $200 Beats Fit Pro in terms of price, audio quality, and battery life last year. Apple refreshed the regular AirPodslast year, leaving the current Pro model as the most expensive earbuds in the company’s lineup while also being the oldest. 

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The good news is that if you need earbuds now and can’t wait (or the rumored new AirPods don’t whet your appetite), the Beats Fit Pro are fantastic and available right now.

SEE ALSO: Here's what Apple might show off at the iPhone 14 event in September