According to the latest report from DigiTimes, the third-generation AirPods may be launched together in the launch of the iPhone 13 series.
The report as a whole echoes the previous report that the production of the third-generation AirPods will start in August. DigiTimes stated that certain parts required for AirPods have already begun to be shipped in “small batches” and will increase in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
The third-generation AirPods will be the first update to AirPods since March 2019. The new AirPods are expected to adopt a new design, similar to the high-end AirPods Pro.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently stated that he believes that Apple’s upcoming iPhone launch event will be held in September. Due to the global epidemic crisis, Apple released the iPhone 12 series in October last year, but the company is likely to resume its September activities this year. Gurman also said that the third-generation AirPods will be launched later this year.
Apple’s AirPods dominate the wireless headset market. Apple estimates that in 2020, the shipment of AirPods and Beats headsets will be close to 110 million, far more than any other manufacturer.
It is understood that despite Apple’s dominant position in the wireless headset market, competition from other manufacturers has become increasingly fierce. These manufacturers produce similar wireless headsets at lower prices.
According to reports, due to lower-than-expected sales, Apple has asked its suppliers to reduce the current production of AirPods, and the updated AirPods may also be crucial to the future development of the AirPods series.
It is worth mentioning that Apple is still developing the second-generation AirPods Pro, which may have advanced health tracking features, and the design is similar to the recently launched Beats Studio Buds. However, the new AirPods Pro should not arrive until next year.
