Recently leaked pictures showed that Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro (tentatively called AirPods Pro 2) wireless headphones may arrive with a series of new accessories. According to leaked photos of the next-generation AirPods Pro, the charging case has a metal ring on the side for attaching the strap.
Apple hasn’t used this design in any of its other AirPod models, and it’s unclear why it’s being added in this case. That said, the odds of Apple adding a strap don’t seem high. If the AirPods Pro 2 does have a metal ring, it seems reasonable to expect that Apple will provide a series of straps in different colors and materials, allowing users to easily tether the AirPods case to a wrist, belt, or bag.
Third parties can also provide their own wristbands, ties, and buckles using the AirPods Pro metal ring, and the potential for new accessories is considerable. AirTags, introduced last year, enabled Apple to offer a range of new rings and key fobs in a range of different materials and colors, so a similar lineup of new accessories for AirPods is conceivable.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently pointed out on The MacRumors Show that the rumor is credible given Apple’s intention to offer a range of lucrative low-margin accessories, such as Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases. AirPods Pro 2 is also expected to support lossless audio, including a charging case that emits sound for location tracking, new designs, and more. Apple is expected to launch upgraded wireless noise-canceling headphones in the third or fourth quarter of 2022.