Leaked Renders Claim to Show Third-Generation AirPods Design

A new set of renders claims to showcase the design of the upcoming third-generation AirPods, which could be announced during a rumored Apple event later this month.

airpods 3 gizmochina
The renders were shared by Gizmochina, which claims to have received the renders from a "supplier." The images depict AirPods with a shorter stem, similar to the AirPods Pro, and a smaller charging case. This information lines up with reporting from Bloomberg which states that the design of the new AirPods takes inspiration from the AirPods Pro, although they will lack certain Pro features such as Active Noise Cancellation.

The renders should be taken with a grain of salt. However, the images were shared by the Twitter account @Duanrui1205, which has in the past shared accurate information, possibly adding validity to them. The renders also fall in line with alleged real-life images of the upcoming AirPods, which show them with a smaller stem and replaceable ear tips.

gizmochina airpods 3 render%403x
Just this week, Chinese leaker "Kang" reported that Apple is planning to hold its long-awaited spring event on March 23. That event is expected to headline AirTags, new iPad models, and possibly the updated third-generation AirPods. Apple is also working on second-generation AirPods Pro, which are rumored to be more compact by eliminating the stem and adopting an earbud design similar to the Galaxy and Google Buds.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
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Top Rated Comments

Kleber20 Avatar
64 months ago
I really hope this is actually the final design and not with this plastic thingies from the pro...
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dz5b609 Avatar
64 months ago

Why not keep the original design? Who asked for this? I don’t want in-ear headphones!
If these renders are true then it's not an in-ear design.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dz5b609 Avatar
64 months ago
I think this actually is the design so without replaceable ear tips. Which also would differentiate them from the Airpods Pro besides no ANC.

The replacable ear tips rumor always was a bit weird to me, would have meant Apple completely vacating the non-invasive buds which they've always had and that a lot of people love.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bane-Thunder Avatar
64 months ago

It sucks the standard version won't come with silicone ear tips. the 1/2 gen made my ear hurt when wearing for a prolonged time, so I went for the pro.
Not all of us like those silicone ear tips so this version is for us, you can have the Pro's.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
64 months ago

It sucks the standard version won't come with silicone ear tips. the 1/2 gen made my ear hurt when wearing for a prolonged time, so I went for the pro.
Entirely the opposite experience for me. ??‍♂️
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bane-Thunder Avatar
64 months ago
I'm soooo happy the rubber tips from the Pro models is not there! This i will buy day one!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)