Apple may be preparing a new set of Powerbeats Pro earbuds in bright new colors that would make the AirPods look dull.

We have been expecting Apple to release the AirPods 3 in the near future, but according to a rumor from a Weibo account named WaveTech (via iMore), it appears that Apple will first release new Beats branded headphones. However, while these new Powerbeats Pro will come with a fancy new paint job, they may not be much of an upgrade compared to the existing Powerbeats Pro.

According to WaveTech, the Powerbeats Pro is expected to come in Cloud Pink, Glacier Blue, Spring Yellow, and Lava Red, as well as the existing black, moss, navy, and ivory. Aside from these, not a single Powerbeats Pro upgrade was mentioned.

The leaked information does not mention any new features, but MacRumors speculates that "there may be some minor internal tweaks to the updated Powerbeats Pro."

This may be a bit disappointing for those who were hoping for a serious upgrade to the Beats series using the audio technology Apple packed into the AirPods Pro, such as active noise cancellation and Transparency mode.

It is possible that Apple will improve the way the Powerbeats Pro works with the iPhone and may introduce an app that gives more control over audio EQ; the AirPods Studio is expected to include an equalizer; the AirPods Studio is expected to include an equalizer; the AirPods Studio is expected to include an equalizer; and the AirPods Studio will include an equalizer. However, Apple will likely simply add new colors for now.

Recent rumors suggest that the AirPods 3 may be delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. But we expect Apple's first over-the-ear headphones, the AirPods Studio, to debut this year.

Apple also has competition now on the sports headphone front from Sony's WF-SP800N. As such, Powerbeats may need to up its game.