The brand new iOS 16.4 software program replace accommodates just a few new options everybody ought to try, however an eagle-eyed engineer has noticed one thing that could possibly be a lot greater. Hidden inside the newest code are references to an as-yet unidentified AirPods mannequin and a brand new AirPods case, a robust signal that Apple plans to launch its rumored funds AirPods within the close to future.

Twitter consumer @aaronp613 noticed the references within the code. The brand new AirPods have the mannequin quantity A3048, whereas the case is labeled as A2968. What does this imply? The one factor we will be certain of is that it doesn’t seek advice from an present mannequin: Apple has beforehand used A1523 and A1722 (2017), A2032 and A2031 (2019), A2084 and A2083 (2019 AirPods Professional), A2096 (AirPods Max), A2565 and A2564 (2021), and A2931, A2699, and A2698 (2022 AirPods Professional). This would be the first AirPods mannequin with an A3* designation.

The case is unknown too. Apple has launched AirPods circumstances labeled A1602, A1938, A2190, A2566, A2700, and A2897. Once more, it is a greater designation than any identified mannequin, which logically would imply one thing newer, though it isn’t all the time that simple.

Apple is believed to have two upcoming AirPods fashions within the pipeline: a funds set of AirPods that can be priced round $99, and on the different finish of the pricing spectrum, the second-gen AirPods Max. The code is extra more likely to be a reference to the previous, because the AirPods Max case (the divisive Sensible Case) doesn’t seem to have a mannequin quantity–I can’t discover one on mine, at any charge, and it isn’t among the many codes listed on Apple’s web site–whereas the so-called AirPods Lite would presumably get their very own easier or much less feature-rich charging case, therefore the A2968 code.

The case may be a reference to a substitute case for the Third-gen AirPods and 2nd-gen AirPods Professional, each of that are anticipated to get USB-C updates sooner or later this 12 months.

Giveaway code references like this often floor when Apple is nearly able to launch new {hardware}. In any case, somebody is more likely to spot the reference, and the corporate often likes to maintain issues as secret as potential for so long as potential. But earlier rumors have pegged the following two AirPods launches as arriving in 2024 on the earliest. If that had been true, together with a reference to considered one of them this early can be weird, since iOS 17 may have come out by then and will simply incorporate any essential code updates to accommodate the brand new {hardware}.

Does this imply we will due to this fact anticipate low cost new AirPods earlier than or at WWDC in June? This might be a shock, nevertheless it now appears a real risk. Within the meantime, try our comparability of the AirPods fashions Apple presently sells now to see which one is finest on your ears.