A new story in the rumor mill has an AirPods supplier backing earlier reports that Apple is designing third-generation AirPods, dubbed the “AirPods Pro Lite” and aiming for a $199 price point.
The first rumors of these surfaced back in October, and stated that the third-gen AirPods would appear similar to the current AirPods Pro, but lack active noise cancelation (ANC):
The design of the updated entry-level AirPods will be similar to the current AirPods Pro, gaining a shorter stem and replaceable ear tips. Apple is also looking to improve battery life. That model however will not have higher-end AirPods Pro features like noise-cancellation, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters.
The same report also offered the opinion that the third-gen AirPods Pro earbuds would receive a redesign:
For the new AirPods Pro, Apple is aiming to make the earbuds more compact by eliminating the short stem that currently sticks out from the bottom. A design in testing has a more rounded shape that fills more of a user’s ear — similar to the latest designs from Samsung, Amazon and Google.
A report in TheElec cited a supplier that claimed to have more details:
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 South Korean material supplier is currently developing a system-in-package (SiP) with Airpods’ H1 chip.
The SiP used for H1 chip in the regular Airpods Pro was round shaped like a mouse. The SiP for the H1 chip in the Lite version will be a simple square shape. The supplier will go through Apple’s quality review within the year and begin mass production next year.
A person familiar with the matter said the Lite version will be priced 20% cheaper than the normal Airpods Pro:
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 South Korean material supplier is currently developing a system-in-package (SiP) with Airpods’ H1 chip.
The SiP used for H1 chip in the regular Airpods Pro was round shaped like a mouse. The SiP for the H1 chip in the Lite version will be a simple square shape. The supplier will go through Apple’s quality review within the year and begin mass production next year.
A person familiar with the matter said the Lite version will be priced 20% cheaper than the normal Airpods Pro.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.