Apple’s much-rumored third-generation AirPods – which are said to adopt the AirPods Pro design but without the Pro’s noise-cancelling and transparency features – will launch in the first half of 2021. That from a new report from TheElec.
The report claims the earbuds will be a “lite” version of the AirPods Pro but will be priced “20% cheaper” than the $249 AirPods Pro. That would mean the new AirPods would hit the $200 price point.
Apple will launch a Lite version of its Airpods Pro wireless earphones without noise canceling feature in the first half of 2021, TheElec has learned.
A person familiar with the matter said the Lite version will be priced 20% cheaper than the normal Airpods Pro which has noise canceling tech.
The price – the same as the currently-available second-generation AirPods With Wireless Charging Case – suggests the new AirPods will replace the current model. If the release occurs, the entire AirPods earbud lineup will have the AirPods Pro design signature. However, a recent Bloomberg report claims the second-generation AirPods Pro will resemble Samsung’s Galaxy Buds earbuds.
Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year told investors that Apple’s third-generation AirPods will adopt compact system-in-package (SiP) similar to the company’s AirPods Pro wireless earbuds. Kuo said the new AirPods would be released in the first half of 2021.
Kuo in June predicted the AirPods 3 would use SiP technology to integrate the earbuds’ audio features into the smaller casing. AirPods Pro, introduced in November 2019, feature an in-ear design that offers three different sizes of soft, silicone tips in the box, and features shorter stems below the ear. They also offer several other improvements over the original AirPods, such as active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and sweat/water resistance,
Kup expects current-generation AirPods Pro part suppliers to see component shipments grow an estimated 50% to 100% year-over-year. Amkor, JCET, and Huanxu Electronics will likely supply the SiP components, while Shin Zu Shing is expected to supply the AirPods case hinge.
(Via MacRumors)