ⓘ Apple

Following the recent codenames and references to more than 20 new Apple products found in the latest macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate, another device has been added to the list. These are expected to be the next-generation AirPods, and like the previous generation, there will be two models.

As noted by Macrumors, the macOS Tahoe 26.7 software update has references to AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with ANC. The two internal codenames are B868M and B868E, and they follow the naming convention of AirPods 4. For reference, AirPods 4 have the internal codename B768M, while the ANC variant has the codename B768E.

AirPods 4 launched in September 2024, so an update is due. While Apple has not shared a release date, the new generation could be unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro (Max) and iPhone Ultra. With these, Apple is expected to bring the new H3 chipset that will theoretically improve audio quality and reduce latency.

Notably, Apple is also expected to announce AirPods Pro 4 and is working on the long-awaited AirPods with cameras. It is unlikely that all three AirPods will see a 2026 release, so it won’t be surprising if at least one of them, or even two, get pushed to 2027.

Vineet Washington - Tech Writer - 910 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025

I have always been passionate about gaming and technology, which drove me towards pursuing a career in the tech writing industry. I have spent over 7 years in the tech space and about a decade in content writing. I hope to continue to use this passion and generate informative, entertaining, and accurate content for readers.