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It’s Official: Apple Needs to Drop a New Version of AirPods ASAP

Remember AirPods? You probably do, because they’re literally everywhere, all the time, but if you don’t, it’s because Apple has seemingly neglected its hyper-popular wireless earbuds for a while now—or it’s at least failed to give us a model that actually counts as an upgrade. While AirPods 4 were released in 2024, the only notable upgrades back then were USB-C charging (hardly groundbreaking) and a new H2 chip that most people will probably overlook. That means the last real upgrade was actuall

Nothing’s Headphone 1 Copied the AirPods Max’s Dumbest Accessory, and Now I Actually Need One

Apple’s AirPods Max are iconic for lots of reasons. Firstly, it’s Apple, so they have just a teensy bit of name-brand recognition. Secondly, there’s the sound—Apple’s over-ear headphones might look a little boring, but they sound consistently great. Good enough to actually make a $550 price tag work. There’s also a third iconic aspect, though this one may be notable for the wrong reasons. If you guessed the “iBra” carrying case, congratulations, you win a free ticket to tech nerd jail. As iconi

Apple's AirPods 4 are up to 33 percent off right now

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Prime Day is no more, but you can still save on Apple’s earbuds. If you're on the market for a new pair of AirPods, you're in luck. The latest AirPods 4 are down to some of the best prices we've seen. You can pick up the standard AirPods 4 for $90, a 30-percent discount, or the AirPod

You can once again buy the AirPods 4 for less than $90

We saw a ton of great Apple deals during Prime Day, most of which have disappeared. It’s okay if you missed out, though, as some of our favorite deals like the M2 MacBook Air have either stuck around or have returned, like the low price on Apple’s entry-level AirPods 4. Right now, you can pick up a pair for just $89.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, which is $1 shy of their all-time best price. Alternatively, you can buy the model with active noise cancellation for $119.99 ($60 off)

CIRP: AirPods regain market share, but overall growth stalls

A new report out today from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) shows that while AirPods remain the most popular wireless earbuds among iPhone users, Apple might be feeling the pressure of slowing growth. From 59% to 57%, and back again According to the report, 44% of iPhone owners now report having Bluetooth earbuds, up slightly from 41% last year and 39% the year before. However, 59% of those say they own AirPods. That’s a 2% bump from last year, but it’s also right back to where

The AirPods 4 are still on sale at a near record low price

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Prime Day is no more, but you can still save on Apple’s earbuds. Prime Day might be behind us, but the dregs of the deals are still lingering. And if you’re in the market for a new pair of AirPods, you’re in luck. Apple’s ever-popular AirPods 4 (the ones without ANC) are currently dow

Why I love my Apple EarPods

Jay Peters is a news editor for The Verge, which means, he explains, “I write and edit news about tech, gaming, and all of the many things The Verge covers. I also write a lot about indie video games. And I’m taking over David Pierce’s Installer newsletter while he’s on parental leave – please subscribe!” He adds that he’s been here for nearly six years, “which, as an obsessive reader of the site before joining the team, is hard for me to fathom.” When we asked him what his current favorite de

AirPods Pro 2 hearing features and Sleep Apnea alert now available in new countries

Today, Tim Cook took to X to announce that the Hearing Aid and Test features of the AirPods Pro 2, and the Apple Watch Sleep Apnea notifications are now available in select new countries and territories. See the full lists below. Hearing Aid and Hearing Test Both features were first introduced last year, but they require approval from local health regulators before being rolled out regionally. Once enabled, AirPods Pro 2 users can take advantage of these two capabilities: Hearing Test: A five

AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to borrow a new feature from Beats

AirPods Pro 3 are one of Apple’s most highly anticipated new products. Even though launch timing for the new AirPods is still uncertain, rumors around features have been a little more solid, including a new feature that’s expected to be borrowed directly from Beats: heart rate monitoring. Heart rate monitoring coming to AirPods Pro 3, following Powerbeats Pro 2 Apple has long offered AirPods integration with health-related software features. For example, the iPhone’s Health app can show you da

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale at a record-low price

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Prime Day may be over but you can still get $100 off. Amazon Prime Day may be officially over, but there are still a lot of great deals hanging around. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 remains deeply discounted at just $149. That's a full $100 off the usual retail price and the lowest price we'v

Best AirPods Pro Alternatives: AirPods for Android and More

Apple’s AirPods Pro are crazy popular for good reason (8/10, WIRED Recommends), from their airy design to their raft of advanced features and powerful noise canceling. But the best AirPods Pro alternatives provide something Apple's pricey flagship buds don't: serious versatility outside Apple's carefully controlled ecosystem. If you’re looking for earbuds with that AirPods Pro vibe that travel better beyond the walls of the Apple castle (hello, Android users!), we've got you covered. My colleag

The best AirPods for 2025

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Whether you're all-in on the Apple ecosystem or just want a reliable pair of wireless earbuds, the best AirPods can deliver great sound, seamless pairing and smart features that are hard to beat. Over the years, Apple has expanded its AirPods lineup to suit a variety of users — from th

Apple just released new AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 beta firmware

Apple’s beta software cycle has had a busy week, with updates like iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 hitting first, then tvOS 26 beta 3 landing a day later. Now today, Apple has released new AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 beta firmware. Here’s what you should know. Latest AirPods firmware includes support for new iOS 26 features This summer, Apple has made AirPods beta firmware easier than ever to install. And it seems like coordinated with that change is a shift to more frequent beta releases. Historically

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale for Prime Day and down to a record-low price

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Amazon Prime Day is still going strong, and you can still get a bunch of great deals on Apple devices today. Key among them is a new all-time low on the AirPods Pro 2. You can grab them now for only $150, which is $100 off their usual price and the cheapest we've seen. The Apple AirPo

Your AirPods case will never run out of battery again thanks to these new charging reminders

Your AirPods are getting even better with iOS 26 later this year. As well as new features like camera remote and sleep detection to pause media, Apple is also improving the charging experience. With the new update, your iPhone can automatically remind you when your AirPods are running out of juice. These alerts can show even when your AirPods are not currently in your ears, but stored in their case, that is running low on battery. We’ve all been there before. You are on your way out of your ho

Apple’s ‘Back to School’ promo goes live in Europe, with free AirPods and more

After briefly taking down its European education stores earlier today, Apple has officially launched its 2025 Back to School promotion across the continent. Like in the U.S., this year’s offer includes a free pair of AirPods or other accessories with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad through the Apple Store for Education website. Here are the details. The European Back to School deal runs through October 21 Apple has launched its 2025 Back to School promotion across Europe, offering st

I recommend these AirPods to most iOS users - especially at this low price

Jada Jones/ZDNET Apple unveiled new AirPods last year, and while you might be considering buying the brand's latest earbuds, you shouldn't forget about the sweet discounts that activate on earlier models once Apple releases new hardware -- especially if you're looking for a new pair of high-quality noise-canceling earbuds. Amazon currently has a great deal on the AirPods Pro 2, our pick for the best AirPods model that you can buy. Also: The best Prime Day deals 2025: Our favorite 131+ sales li

Im Never Splitting AirPods With My Wife Again Thanks to This iPhone Trick

When my wife and I travel, we usually download some shows to watch on our flight. But we always have to split a set of AirPods when we watch these shows so we each have one earbud. That means one of our ears is enjoying the show while the other is forced to endure the crying baby behind us on the plane, which can be distracting. But thanks to Apple's Audio Sharing feature, we can each enjoy a show together while using our own sets of AirPods. Audio Sharing was introduced with iOS 18 and iPadOS

Apple AirPods Max Have Never Been This Cheap, Even Compared to Black Friday, Thanks to Prime Day

There’s a certain kind of listening experience that sticks with you. It’s the moment a favorite song sounds clearer, fuller, more alive than it ever has before. You know you’re listening to a tune or album that you’ve heard before, but something about it hits much, much harder than usual. That kind of moment is what the AirPods Max were built for. And if you’re looking to try a pair, now’s a good time to buy them now that they’re on sale for Prime Day. ‘ Run to Amazon Prime deal now to get the

If You Have an iPhone, AirPods Pro 2 Are Nearly Free on Prime Day Day Two

The second day of Prime Day exceeds expectations, with Amazon overnight making adjustments that have added yet more discounts on some of the most popular tech products. Among the best deals, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 have hit a new all-time low, dropping to just $149 for Prime members (or anyone signed up for the free 30-day trial). Not only is this less expensive than what we saw on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but it’s also a rare opportunity, as Apple never discounts these on its website or i

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are $100 off for Prime Day

Before this year’s Prime Day event began, there were already some great early deals on Apple products, allowing you to save on the Apple Watch, iPad, and the MacBook Air. Now we can add Apple’s second generation AirPods Pro with USB-C charging case to the list, which is currently down to $149 ($100 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, the best deal we’ve seen yet. The AirPods Pro combine superb audio with excellent ANC, plus they have a transparency mode, which lets outside sounds in, allowin

AirPods get five new features in iOS 26, but three require an H2 chip

The days of buying headphones and getting a static feature set are long gone. Since the launch of AirPods Pro 2 in particular, Apple has consistently upgraded AirPods products with new features via firmware. In iOS 26, there are five more new features coming—but more than half are exclusive to AirPods with an H2 chip. iOS 26 continues trend of adding new AirPods features When it comes to AirPods updates, Apple has gotten in the rhythm of big annual feature drops. For example, iOS 18 added non

I'm an audiophile, but I can't argue with how good these $50 earbuds sound

ZDNET's key takeaways The JLab JBuds Pods are on sale at Amazon for $50. They're a fantastic-sounding pair of earbuds, with dynamic lows and just the right amount of highs. The controls can be a bit finicky, so make sure you spend a bit of time mastering them. View now at Amazon The JLab Jbuds earbuds are currently marked down to $49 during Amazon Prime Day. That's 29% off the regular price of $70. If I'm not listening to music, then I'm probably asleep, so you can imagine that I've gone thr

Apple Said “No,” but Amazon Still Offers 40% Off AirPods 4 for Prime Day

With the iPhone the sole exclusion, nearly all Apple devices are seeing deep price slashes so this Prime Day is a golden opportunity for the brand’s fans. You’ll find at least 20 to 40% off across the board including the highly popular AirPods 4. These new-generation wireless earbuds are not in-ear like the AirPods Pro 2 (which are also on sale) but that’s exactly what many people love about them. They’re more affordable, too. Let’s talk numbers right away. The Apple AirPods 4 with active noise

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are cheaper than ever thanks to this Prime Day deal

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Amazon Prime Day is here, and it's kicking off with a bunch of great deals on Apple devices. Key among them is a new all-time low on the AirPods Pro 2. You can grab them now for only $149, which is $100 off their usual price and the cheapest we've seen. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 were ou

The AirPods Pro 2 are $149 on Amazon right now - the lowest price we've seen yet

Jada Jones/ZDNET Apple unveiled new AirPods last year, and while you might be considering buying the brand's latest earbuds, you shouldn't forget about the sweet discounts that activate on earlier models once Apple releases new hardware -- especially if you're looking for a new pair of high-quality noise-canceling earbuds. Amazon currently has a great deal on the AirPods Pro 2, our pick for the best AirPods model that you can buy. Also: The best early Prime Day deals you can shop right now Th

I've used my AirPods Pro 2 since they first launched. Here's my buying advice for 2025

Jada Jones/ZDNET During Apple's September hardware event last year, the company announced the iPhone 16 lineup, new AirPods, and an upgraded Apple Watch. I was most happy to see the AirPods 4 model, which introduced noise cancellation to the lineup for the first time and upgraded software features -- but I was secretly hoping for the AirPods Pro 3. Also: Turn your AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids: Testing and tracking hearing health in iOS 18.1 Unfortunately, a new AirPods Pro model didn't app

Deals: AirPods Pro $149 all-time low, black Apple Watch Ultra 2 best price ever at $150 off, Magic Mouse, AirTag, more

Amazon’s massive 4-day Prime Day sale might not officially start until early tomorrow morning, but the deals are definitely already flying. First up is AirPods – the AirPods Pro 2 just dropped to the best price of the year and one of the lowest totals we have ever tracked at $160 shipped, down from the regular $249 list price. We also have AirPods Max (USB-C) at $99 off the going rate as well as an amazing price on the black Apple Watch Ultra 2 that is now down at the lowest Amazon price ever wi

AirPods 4 Now Priced Like Budget Earbuds, as Amazon Clears Out Stock Without Asking Apple

Apple has long set the benchmark for wireless earbuds whether you’re after active noise cancellation (with the AirPods Pro 2) or prefer a more streamlined experience without ANC. Right now, it’s the latter that’s stealing the spotlight during Amazon’s Prime Day event with the AirPods 4 dropping to an all-time low price of $99—down from their usual $129. Better still, this sale is not behind a Prime membership, so the savings are open to anyone. See at Amazon Coming in at $99, the AirPods 4 are

Apple’s latest AirPods are already on sale for $99 before Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day kicks off tomorrow, July 8th, but you don’t have to wait until then to pick up Apple’s latest pair of AirPods at a discount. Right now, the AirPods 4 are available for around $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, while the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation are going for around $149 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. That’s within $10 of the lowest price we’ve seen on the ANC model and matches the lowest price to date on the base pair. Both versions of Apple’s