Report: Upcoming AirPods models will prioritize new health features

AirPods have been among Apple’s biggest hits in the last decade, and the company apparently has big plans for their future. Just weeks after launching hearing health features in iOS 18.1 for AirPods Pro 2, a new report indicates health will be a big priority for future AirPods models.

AirPods being ‘repositioned’ to focus on health

Ming-Chi Kuo writes today about Apple’s plans for future AirPods models. From his post on Medium:

Following the success of the Apple Watch, AirPods are being repositioned to focus on health management, with future models integrating more health management features.

Kuo’s report doesn’t get into specifics, other than highlighting one key point: health is a major part of Apple’s plans for future AirPods.

This move makes a lot of sense. iOS 18.1’s Hearing Aid, Hearing Test, and Hearing Protection features have been very well received. And there’s a lot of potential for adding new sensors to a device that you wear on your body.

Following the Apple Watch playbook will give Apple a way to differentiate AirPods and make them more of an asset to users.

Apple Watch strategy could make AirPods more indispensable

The Apple Watch may be nice for checking the time, and getting your notifications, but health monitoring elevates the device to higher importance. The same will likely be true of AirPods in a few years.

Mark Gurman has previously reported:

There’s also engineering work being done on adding sensors to the AirPods so they can determine body temperature via a wearer’s ear canal. That type of data is considered more accurate than wrist temperature

Body temperature and hearing health may be just the start of Apple’s big new direction for AirPods.

What health features do you want from future AirPods? Let us know in the comments.

Best AirPods Pro deals and accessories

• AirPods Pro 2 (currently just $189, discounted from $249)
• Memory foam AirPods Pro eartips for a more comfortable fit
• AirFly SE for connecting AirPods to in-flight headphone jacks
• Belemay leather case for AirPods Pro
• Magnetic strap neckband for preventing lost AirPods