Apple announces second-generation AirPods with optional wireless charging case, price starts at Rs 14,900

Apple is finally updating the AirPods – the original AirPods made their debut in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, both of which came without a headphone jack. The second-generation AirPods come with a new custom H1 chip for seemingly faster connectivity, improved battery life and hands-free Hey Siri support. Price starts at Rs 14,900 for AirPods with standard charging case, going all the way to Rs 18,900 for AirPods with wireless charging case – the optional wireless charging case will be also sold separately for Rs 7,500. 

While many would have hoped for a design refresh, Apple is generally known to stick around with its hallmark design schemes for at least two generation if not more – the same is true about the new AirPods. The new AirPods look exactly like the old AirPods.

Rather, Apple is focusing on upgrading the innards. The new H1 chip will supposedly deliver “up to 50 per cent more talk time compared to first generation AirPods” in addition to offering “two times faster connect times.” The new AirPods will also allow users to tap into Siri at all times through Hey Siri voice command rather than having them to push a dedicated button – something which was also part of all the rumour mills in the past.   

“AirPods delivered a magical wireless experience and have become one of the most beloved products we’ve ever made. They connect easily with all of your devices, and provide crystal clear sound and intuitive, innovative control of your music and audio,” Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said in a press statement. “The world’s best wireless headphones just got even better with the new AirPods. They are powered by the new Apple-designed H1 chip which brings an extra hour of talk time, faster connections, hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ and the convenience of a new wireless battery case.” 

Apple’s new wireless charging case for the AirPods will work with any Qi-enabled wireless charger – there's still no word on AirPower by the way in case you’re wondering.  

Apple has been dropping Easter Eggs all through this week – launching the new iPad Mini and iPad Air as well as giving the iMac a speed boost with new hardware. The AirPods announcement is part of that plan – which also means Apple will focus entirely on its Netflix-rival video streaming and news subscription services at its scheduled March 25 event.  

The star of the show will be Apple services – with Apple expected to kick off its news subscription service and the much-hyped video streaming service to take on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Apple is said to be investing as much as $1 billion to produce in-house original content and has tied up with industry majors like Oprah Winfrey, M. Night Shyamalan and Steven Spielberg (and others), for the same. Netflix has meanwhile confirmed it won’t be a part of whatever Apple comes up on March 25.   

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