AirPods 2 release date: New charging case could come before updated iPhone earphones

Apple's new wireless could bring a range of significant updates – but not yet

A new AirPods release might be imminent – but not the much hyped new earphones.

Apple is rumoured to be gearing up to release a new charging case for the AirPods. But the AirPods might not be getting updated themselves, and anyone waiting will have to hold out until much later in the year, according to a new rumour from Onleaks.

The latest report follows a flurry of leaks about the updated version of the earphones, which includes a whole host of features that are expected to arrive. Those could include health tracking features that can monitor your body when they are in your ears, for instance.

Many Apple customers had been holding out and waiting for new earphones, since the original AirPods are now more than two years old. But it seems they'll be waiting for a little longer.

The new wireless charging case was first seen in 2017, when Apple said that it would ship a new charging mat called AirPower that would be able to charge the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods in a special case all at once. It said then that it would sell the new case separately, allowing people to switch over without having to buy new earphones.

That release is set to happen imminently, according to Onleaks, which has successfully predicted Apple releases in the past.

As well as the wireless charging feature, the case could come in a new material that would allow them to be more grippy, rumours have suggested.

But the widely rumoured AirPods 2 are not set to arrive until later this year. That would mean the new case would ship with older AirPods inside for the first few months, the report claims.

When the AirPods 2 do arrive, they are widely rumoured to bring always-on Hey Siri so that people can instantly speak to the voice assistant, health tracking capabilities, and other upgraded features. They might also bring a new colour option, potentially allowing people to buy black as well as white versions of the earphones.

The existence of the new ear buds appeared to have been revealed by an upcoming iPhone update, which seemed to include references to features that are expected to arrive with AirPods 2.