The leaked AirPods design looks great. According to leakers, Apple has finalized designs. However, according to a reliable tech analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple won’t release the AirPods 3 until it can ramp up production. In fact, he’s now stating that Apple won’t even start production until Q3 of this year. In other words, no AirPods 3 until the fall.
Originally, Kuo and others had pointed to early spring for Apple’s new headphones. Now, however, Kuo adjusted his estimates. If there is an Apple event later this month, it likely won’t entail Apple’s new truly wireless earbuds, but they are still coming this year.
No Explanation for Delay
Ming-Chi Kuo originally predicted an early spring release. That suggested Apple’s March event, when they typically reveal a new iPad and other accessories. Recent reports suggested the new AirPods 3 were “ready to ship,” but Kuo’s saying that it will take until fall. Kuo didn’t comment on a March event, but it is still likely. Apple still has a new model of the iPad Pro and potentially the iPad mini to reveal.
Kuo hasn’t said why the AirPods 3 won’t be ready by early spring, but it’s not hard to guess. Everything has been delayed over the past year. While we’ve gotten better at functioning during the pandemic, we’re still not back to “normal” yet. Everything from design to delivery has slowed during the pandemic. We can likely expect product delays from Apple and other companies sporadically until 2022.
The AirPods currently on sale may get a lower price, but Kuo isn’t sure. It’s possible those would cannibalize the sales of the third generation AirPods, and Apple would therefore decide to stop selling the last generation of AirPods.
The new AirPods design will be initially polarizing. Some people have come to love the longer stems of the AirPods. I know people who believe they look better than the pro models. However, I’ve come to appreciate the smaller stems. They fit nicely in my ear and don’t hang as low. Still, you don’t think about them at all when you’re wearing them. The lighter and smaller AirPods 3 should be the same.
Sources:
- Juli Clover, MacRumors
- William Gallagher, AppleInsider
- Peter Ortolani, 9to5Mac