TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple intends to announce its long-awaited next-generation AirPods at Tuesday’s “California streaming” special event, sharing two scenarios that could see Apple keep the current second-generation AirPods available to customers following the release of this year’s new model.
Kuo says Apple will either launch the third-generation AirPods at a new, higher price point, keeping the second-generation earbuds available at their current price that starts at $159 for the buds in a non-wireless charging case or introduce the new third-generation AirPods at the same price as the current second-generation AirPods, discounting the older earbuds to make them more affordable and avoiding a price increase for the latest model.
Speculation on when Apple may release an updated version of its AirPods has been strong all year, especially earlier in the year when leaks claimed to offer a look at the earbuds and their new AirPods Pro-style redesign, which is expected to see Apple adopt an overall smaller shape and shrunken stem.
Reports have claimed that the new AirPods will feature the same Apple H1 chip and 5 hours of playback as the current-generation model. Despite the expected similar appearance to the AirPods Pro, the new third-generation AirPods are expected to lack interchangeable ear tips and Active Noise Cancellation.
According to Kuo, Apple will see AirPods shipment volumes grow towards the end of the year, with an increase in shipments of 10-15% YOY for the first quarter of 2022.