A roundup of rumors about Apple's high-end headphones

       On the morning of May 9, since the launch of the first generation of AirPods in December 2016, Apple has begun to fully explore its potential in audio headphone products. Now, their wireless headphones mainly include AirPods‌ and AirPods Pro.

　　However, there have been rumors that Apple will continue to expand its headphone lineup and launch a "high-end product". Many foreign media have reported this before, and Sina Digital has summarized it.

　　Appearance rumors

　　Earlier, Bloomberg broke the news that Apple's new headphones will adopt a new look and are head-mounted headphones. It is said that there are two versions, including a premium version made of leather. The prototype of the headphones is described as having a "retro-style" appearance with earmuffs that rotate with a headband connected to a metal arm.

　　The other is a fitness-focused model that uses a lighter, breathable material with small holes to improve airflow. There's also the possibility of a replaceable cover.

　　Both products are positioned as high-end. Although Apple previously acquired the Beats brand to sell this type of headphones, like "AirPods", Apple is also developing Apple-branded headphones rather than Beats-branded headphones.

iOS 14 system red headphone symbol

　　In the leaked iOS 14 system, the code found an icon representing headphones, but no details can be seen from the image.

       Feature Rumors

　　Previously, well-known Apple product analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple's headphones will have active noise reduction function, which is not surprising at all, because Beats Studio 3, Solo Pro and AirPods Pro all have ANC active noise reduction.

Could it look like this too?

　　This feature is designed to reduce ambient noise so users can focus on what they are listening to. If it is similar to the ANC on the AirPods Pro, there will be a transparency mode that will enable noise cancellation but pick up ambient sound.

　　Of course, since it is a high-end product and a large headset, its sound quality is expected to be better than AirPods.

       Price

　　Apple may price the new headphones at around $350, but there is no more accurate information at the moment.

release date

　　Current rumors suggest the headset will launch sometime in 2020 (an exact date has yet to be confirmed). Mass production of the headset is set to begin in mid-2020, which could mean a fall 2020 launch.

　　Rumor has it that Apple originally planned to launch the headset sometime in 2019, but it looks like that plan never materialized, and now the COVID-19 pandemic around the world has brought more uncertainty to mass production.