Apple’s Powerbeats 4 just leaked in new iOS 13 update

News
By published

New wireless headphones launch looks imminent

Powerbeats 4 icon
(Image credit: Macrumors)

Sometimes Apple leaks come from deep within the supply chain or insiders or analysts with great sources — and sometimes they come from Apple itself.

Icons for what’s believed to be the Powerbeats 4 wireless headphones were just found in the latest iOS 13.3.1 software update. As reported by Macrumors, the Powerbeats 4 look like a cross between the Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds (with its curved design) and the Powerbeats 3.

Just like the Powerbeats 3, there’s a wire hanging down on the Powerbeats 4 icons, so once again you can expect that the cable will connect the two buds on these wireless headphones. But there are some welcome upgrades apparently on the way.

One of the new Powerbeats 4 features is support for Hey, Siri, which means you’ll be able to summon Apple’s digital assistant completely hands-free. You should also be to pair the Powerbeats 4 seamlessly with iPhones via Apple’s H1 chip and have incoming messages announced to you.

Other Powerbeats 3 features we expect to carry over to the Powerbeats 4 include sweat- and water-resistance, as well as 12 hours of battery life. The Powerbeats 3 charge via microUSB, so it's reasonable to assume Apple will move towards Lightning or USB-C.

The current Powerbeats 3 earbuds cost $199, so it’s reasonable to expect that the Powerbeats 4 will be in the same range. As for the Powerbeats 4 release date, it could be imminent given their fresh appearance in the latest build of iOS 13.

Apple could decide to launch the Powerbeats 4 to coincide with the release for the iPhone SE 2/iPhone 9 this March, but we don’t see a reason to wait at this point. 

Mark Spoonauer
Mark Spoonauer

Mark Spoonauer is the global editor in chief of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the direction of Tom's Guide, Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He has spoken at key industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends, including Cheddar, Fox Business and other outlets. Mark was previously editor in chief of Laptop Mag, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.