Rumor: Apple to debut Bluetooth earbuds alongside 'iPhone 7,' with truly wireless left & right earp
Apple is said to be working on a new pair of high-end Bluetooth headphones that will be completely wireless, meaning separate earpieces for the left and right side without a wire connecting them, according to a new rumor.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/15498-11850-Bragi_Dash_InUse_01-l.jpg)
Apple's truly wireless earbuds are expected to be similar to the Bragi Dash.
Citing anonymous sources, 9to5mac reported on Friday that the "premium" accessory also lacks charging ports. It is said that Apple plans for users to charge the device with a special carrying case, which will also include an integrated battery for recharging on the go.
It's expected that the new headphones will debut this fall, alongside an anticipated "iPhone 7." Numerous recent reports have suggested that Apple plans to ditch the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack for this year's redesign, instead requiring that users connect headphones either via the Lightning port or over Bluetooth.
If that change does in fact take place, it's highly likely that the EarPods Apple bundles with every new iPhone purchase would change to feature a Lightning connector for compatibility. The new rumored wireless headphones are said to be a premium, optional accessory that will be sold separately.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/14454-10006-1c909d4a_Apple-Earpods-new3-l.jpg)
Apple's current EarPods feature a 3.5mm headphone plug.
Apple did file a trademark application last October for a product dubbed "AIRPODS," using a naming scheme similar to its current wired EarPods. Given Apple's acquisition of Beats, it's likely that any new wireless earbuds would be marketed under that Brand.
With Apple Watch, wireless audio has taken on a more significant role in Apple's product lineup. The company already owns multiple patents for potential hardware iterations, including noise canceling and bone conduction technology, but has yet to bring a wireless headset to market.
Currently, most wireless earbuds available on the market still have a cable connecting the left and right earpieces. There are a few "truly" wireless options available, most notably the Bragi Dash, which was shown off in demonstrations at this week's Consumer Electronics Show.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/15498-11850-Bragi_Dash_InUse_01-l.jpg)
Apple's truly wireless earbuds are expected to be similar to the Bragi Dash.
Citing anonymous sources, 9to5mac reported on Friday that the "premium" accessory also lacks charging ports. It is said that Apple plans for users to charge the device with a special carrying case, which will also include an integrated battery for recharging on the go.
It's expected that the new headphones will debut this fall, alongside an anticipated "iPhone 7." Numerous recent reports have suggested that Apple plans to ditch the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack for this year's redesign, instead requiring that users connect headphones either via the Lightning port or over Bluetooth.
If that change does in fact take place, it's highly likely that the EarPods Apple bundles with every new iPhone purchase would change to feature a Lightning connector for compatibility. The new rumored wireless headphones are said to be a premium, optional accessory that will be sold separately.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/14454-10006-1c909d4a_Apple-Earpods-new3-l.jpg)
Apple's current EarPods feature a 3.5mm headphone plug.
Apple did file a trademark application last October for a product dubbed "AIRPODS," using a naming scheme similar to its current wired EarPods. Given Apple's acquisition of Beats, it's likely that any new wireless earbuds would be marketed under that Brand.
With Apple Watch, wireless audio has taken on a more significant role in Apple's product lineup. The company already owns multiple patents for potential hardware iterations, including noise canceling and bone conduction technology, but has yet to bring a wireless headset to market.
Currently, most wireless earbuds available on the market still have a cable connecting the left and right earpieces. There are a few "truly" wireless options available, most notably the Bragi Dash, which was shown off in demonstrations at this week's Consumer Electronics Show.
Comments
So in that sense, almost every story on the subject you see on the web toady is incorrect since they all reference the "problem" of the audio jack in reference to being able to make the phone thinner. Also, iPhone 7 is quite unlikely to be that thin. It would require new battery tech or new screen tech (or both), each of which shaved a full millimetre or two off of the thickness.
The odds of the new iPhone even being as thin as the current iPod touch, are very small. Even if it lost a full millimetre, it would be a huge change, the biggest in five full years, and it would still be a millimetre thicker than the current iPod touch.
These wireless earphones sound okay, but they are likely to be at least a couple of hundred dollars, and they don't seem to be "in-ear" even (the only ear buds that really, actually, stay in). The "hook over the back of the ear" type that these seem likely to be, is generally the least popular type of ear buds out there, because again ... they generally don't fit and generally fall out a lot. They don't usually even seal at the ear properly, so they leak sound as well. All of the really, really low quality ear buds are these "hook over the ear" type.
Apple's will no doubt be much better than what's currently out there, but I don't see how they can really get over these problems.
The only current Apple branded ear buds that work well, stay in your ears well, and produce comparable output to non-Apple brands are the Apple in-ear ear buds. To use these however, some kind of bulky adapter will be necessary.
I can't get over seeing this as essentially a "lose-lose-lose" situation for anyone who cares even a little bit about sound quality and actually listens to their iPhone a lot.
Not excited.