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Headphones

Headphones were the original piece of wearable technology and they remain as essential today as ever. But they are starting to change rapidly now, as things like noise cancelling and Bluetooth wireless technology enable the dream of completely cable-free living. What will the best headphones of the future look like?

Here’s where you can preorder the AirPods 4 and updated AirPods MaxHere’s where you can preorder the AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max
Sheena Vasani and Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds might include heart rate monitoring.

Apple’s busy updating the AirPods lineup, but MacRumors reports that when the Powerbeats Pro 2 revision ships next year, workout warriors can expect the heart rate tracking feature that has popped up on other buds like Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport.

Information from a software update also points to ANC, spatial audio, adaptive audio, and four colors with matching cases: orange, purple, black, and beige.

The AirPods Max use USB-C nowThe AirPods Max use USB-C now
Andrew Liszewski
iPhone 16 event live blog: all the news from Apple’s keynote

We’re here with the latest on Apple Intelligence, iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.

Verge Staff
Chris Welch
Chris Welch
Sony’s latest headphones are built for audio engineers and creators.

On the opposite end of its mass market noise-canceling headphones, Sony still routinely releases models designed to accurately reflect creative intent in studio environments. The new $249.99 MDR-M1 has an “exclusively developed driver unit that achieves ultra-wideband playback of 5Hz – 80kHz,” a detachable cable, easily replaceable ear cushions, and a “well-balanced and uncolored frequency response.”

The WH-1000XM5, by comparison, are quite colored.

A marketing image of someone wearing Sony’s MDR-M1 headphones in a recording studio.
Image: Sony
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Will Nothing’s next wireless earbuds be called the Ear Open?

That seems to be the name the company is going with for a new addition to its Ear line, based on a recently granted Singapore certification spotted by 91mobiles.

The certification reveals little else — only that the headphones will connect with Bluetooth and are assigned the model number B182.

The Verge’s favorite audio gearThe Verge’s favorite audio gear
Barbara Krasnoff
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Where are the new AirPods?

Apple is still planning to refresh the entry-level and mid-tier AirPods models this fall, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote today in the subscriber-only version of Power On, reaffirming his earlier reporting.

What he didn’t mention is a 2024 AirPods Max refresh he’d also mentioned before. It’s been nearly four years since they were released — one hopes they’re still on Apple’s roadmap.

Dyson unmasks its super customizable OnTrac headphones

With replaceable ear cushions and outer caps, there are over 2,000 ways to customize these $500 noise-canceling headphones — without the Bane mask this time.

Chris Welch
Chris Welch
Chris Welch
OnePlus claims its $80 Nord Buds 3 Pro offer flagship-tier ANC and powerful bass.

OnePlus is launching its latest pair of earbuds in the hyper-competitive midrange market. The new Nord Buds 3 Pro come in light green or black, and the company says they offer adaptive noise cancellation along with OnePlus’ proprietary “BassWave 2.0” technology. Plus you’re getting IP55 water resistance and multipoint. Not bad at all for $79.99.

A marketing image of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro.
The case has a stylish matte/glossy split.
Image: OnePlus
Chris Welch
Chris Welch
Beats is releasing a Minecraft edition of its Solo 4 headphones.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Minecraft, Beats has announced a special edition of its Solo 4 headphones. They cost the usual $199.99, but you get a custom black and green design with Minecraft-y pixels everywhere. The case has a matching pattern, too.

You can buy the special edition starting July 18th.

A marketing image of the Minecraft Beats Solo 4 headphones.
A marketing image of the case for the Minecraft Beats Solo 4 headphones.
A marketing image of the Minecraft Beats Solo 4 headphones.
A marketing image of the Minecraft Beats Solo 4 headphones.
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The special edition headphones are black with green accents.
Image: Beats
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, condensed.

We’ve prepared a 12-minute supercut of the event for you, in case you missed the livestream.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Some looks at the new Galaxy Buds 3.

Setting aside their Apple-ness and the Cybertruck-like angles, what do we think? Here’s a gallery of new Galaxy Buds images from Galaxy Unpacked.

For more on what they’re like, check out Chris Welch’s hands-on.

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