Apple is apparently preparing to release its second-generation AirPods Pro earphones alongside the compact third-generation iPhone SE in April 2021. This is according to a recent report from the reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara.
Citing Chinese supply chain sources, the report claims that the AirPods Pro 2 are also getting a new charging case.
A Slightly Narrower AirPods Pro 2 Case
The second-generation AirPods Pro will have noise cancellation, just like the original model. According to the report, Apple has a "new design for the charging case," measuring 54mm wide and 46mm tall. By comparison, the current AirPods Pro charging case is 60.6m wide and 45.2mm tall. Therefore, expect a slightly narrower and shorter case.
The thickness should remain at 21mm, however. It's unclear if the AirPods Pro 2 charging case redesign has been prompted by a change in the design of the earbuds or the need to look different so other people will know you have the latest Apple shiny shiny.
For what it's worth, in October 2020, Bloomberg reported that the AirPods Pro 2 would be "more compact," without the stem protruding from each earphone. If true, the earbuds themselves might sport a more rounded shape that fills more of one's ear. And that, in turn, would make their stem-less appearance resemble similar earbuds from Samsung and Amazon.
The current AirPods Pro arrived at the end of October 2019.
The iPhone SE 3 Is Getting Bigger?
The current 4.7-inch iPhone SE was released in April 2020 so the third-generation model would come exactly one year after the second-generation model. Unfortunately, details surrounding the next iPhone SE remain scant, as no trusted sources have yet provided reliable information about what to expect in terms of possible hardware advances.
The rumor mill thinks that the next iPhone SE will adopt a 5.5-inch display and feature a design similar to that of the iPhone 8 Plus. Provided this is true, the next iPhone SE might swap a Home button with Touch ID for Face ID authentication.
Apple could also release this phone after April, with reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo having said that the iPhone SE 3 will launch in the second half of 2021.
The 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus is almost as big as the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max due to its forehead at the top and the chin at the bottom. But with a fullscreen design, the iPhone SE could pack in an even bigger screen without making the entire phone larger. Whether or not that's the design Apple has in mind for the handset remains to be seen.
Should We Expect an Apple Event in Spring?
Apple may be planning to unveil other products soon. As an example, sources are expecting a new iPad mini with a larger 8.4-inch display in March along with the next iPad Pro with a mini-LED display, a faster chip, and other perks. On top of that, The Cupertino tech giant typically refreshes its Apple Watch bands with new colors in the Spring.
This has been true for the past several years. If you ask us, it's pretty safe to assume that Apple will hold a Spring-themed event (or a prerecorded online presentation) to unveil the next iPad Pro, iPhone SE, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch bands and, possibly, other products.