Apple Reportedly Lowering AirPods Production Due to Decreasing Sales

[MacRumors]

Apple is cutting production of its ultra-popular AirPods by around 25% to 30% due to a decrease in sales as a result of increased competition in the wireless earphone industry, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia.

According to the report, citing sources familiar with Apple's production plans, the tech giant now plans to produce only roughly 75 to 85 million units of AirPods for the remainder of this year. It had initially planned to aim for 110 million units.

Apple now expects to make between 75 million and 85 million units for 2021, compared with a previous production forecast of 110 million units.

"The most significant order reduction is for the second quarter toward the start of the third quarter," said one of the people familiar with the matter. "The levels of inventory [in warehouses] and in-store stocks of AirPods are currently high ... and demand is not as strong as expected."

The report does not specify which AirPods specifically will see a production cut. Apple's current AirPods lineup includes the AirPods Pro, the second-generation standard AirPods with wireless charging, and the $550 over-ear AirPods Max. AirPods and AirPods Pro are expected to be upgraded this year, which Apple hopes will "stimulate sales," according to the report.

Towards the end of 2020, Apple updated its entire product lineup, ranging from new iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and more. The AirPods, which have dominated the wireless earphone market since their debut, was one of the only Apple products not to receive an upgrade towards the end of the year.

Apple is rumored to be working on third-generation AirPods with a design similar to the AirPods Pro but lacks "Pro" features such as Active Noise Cancelation. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that production of the new AirPods will begin in the third quarter of the year.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Lowering AirPods Production Due to Decreasing Sales

 

[goobot]

makes no sense cause I have been looking everywhere for airpods and they are always sold out

Apple AirPods Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones with Lightning Charging Case Included, Over 24 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

The new AirPods combine intelligent design with breakthrough technology and crystal clear sound. Powered by the new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods now feature hands-free access to Siri using just your voice. And up to 3 hours of talk time on a single charge.

www.amazon.com

Apple AirPods Pro

Active noise cancellation for immersive sound. Transparency Mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you. A more customizable fit for all-day comfort. Sweat and water resistant. All in a super light, in-ear headphone that’s easy to set up with all your Apple devices.

www.amazon.com

 

[SenorWhyMe]

Apple AirPods Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones with Lightning Charging Case Included, Over 24 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

The new AirPods combine intelligent design with breakthrough technology and crystal clear sound. Powered by the new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods now feature hands-free access to Siri using just your voice. And up to 3 hours of talk time on a single charge.

www.amazon.com

Apple AirPods Pro

Active noise cancellation for immersive sound. Transparency Mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you. A more customizable fit for all-day comfort. Sweat and water resistant. All in a super light, in-ear headphone that’s easy to set up with all your Apple devices.

www.amazon.com

thanks; but Im trying to use them sams club reward points lol

 

[Ken88]

makes no sense cause I have been looking everywhere for airpods and they are always sold out

Try Craigslist or eBay..TONS and TONS are available…do watch out for fake or knock-off AirPods, though

 

[Kierkegaarden]

If next generation AirPods are expected in Q3, and reductions are happening between Q2 and Q3, couldn’t this possibly mean that the reductions are planned around the new model being released?

The info shared wouldn’t factor in production data on an unreleased product.

 

[_Spinn_]

Hopefully Apple releases the next AirPods this year.

 

[countryside]

I would like to upgrade from my AirPod Pros... they have horrible battery life and tons of glitches like crackling!

 

[Col4bin]

This makes sense. Love my Jabra 75t Sports. IMO they look, feel and sound better than AirPods in every respect. (But to each their own.)

 

[contacos]

I would like to upgrade from my AirPod Pros... they have horrible battery life and tons of glitches like crackling!

AirPods in generally do not seem to be made to last, but I have bad luck with Apple headphones in general. Even before, the wired ones would die on me within a year (usually the left piece for some reason would stop working).

I had to get my AirPod replaced once (also the left one started to fail) and even with the replacement they last about 30 minutes now. My AirPod Pro also had to be replaced before because of the cracking issue. Lesson learned, if I ever do get AirPods again (they ARE convenient) I will add AppleCare+ to them for sure

 

[MecPro]

Diminishing returns when you get over £100. I mean the tech when you’re in the iOS environment is cool, but if I didn’t buy them right at the beginning when less options were available, then I probably may have opted for another brand.

I’ve seen some Anker Wireless buds that have over 20,000 reviews on Amazon and are 4.5/5 and are £40.

Also during the lockdown it didn’t make sense to have earbuds that only last less than 5 hours when you have work calls and stuff. I had my Bose NC700 and Jabra Evolve 85 on a lot more due to longer battery life, comfort and the ability to be connected to more than one device across different OS

 

[Tofupunch]

This makes sense. Love my Jabra 75t Sports. IMO they look, feel and sound better than AirPods in every respect. (But to each their own.)

I'll have to look into those. Recently purchased a pair of APP but I'm a little nervous about the rattling issue they seem to develop over time. Besides, if the competition can offer something similar for cheaper, then I'm all in. These are ultimately throw away devices and I'd rather spend less on something I know will, sadly, eventually end up in a landfill.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

AirPods Pro have been probably the most temperamental Apple product that I have ever owned; however, that won’t stop me from replacing them with a newer model sometime in the future, as truly no other wireless earbud on the market can match their pure portability, I think.

 

[JPack]

High quality clones cost $20, complete with the pop up animation and touch controls.

Everyone from Anker to Aukey are making something similar.

Last year during the BTS promo, Apple was giving them away with a MacBook or iPad. Many people who wanted a pair got them.

 

[Koni17]

If next generation AirPods are expected in Q3, and reductions are happening between Q2 and Q3, couldn’t this possibly mean that the reductions are planned around the new model being released?

The info shared wouldn’t factor in production data on an unreleased product.

It doesn't look like they are differentiating between models, AirPods = All products under the AirPods brand, including any new releases expected this year.

According to the article, the level of AirPods inventory is high due to less sales than expected last year. It's quite clear the reason is their market share in the Bluetooth headphone category is declining due to increased competition.

With AirPods needing to be replaced every 2-3 years because of non-replaceable batteries, it's no wonder that consumers will look towards cheaper options.

 

[haruhiko]

SHOCKING: if you don’t update a product for 2 years (okay okay, 1.5 years), after so many people have already bought the product, the sales will go down.

The AirPods Pro is so good that I don’t know what I want for the next version - given that Apple replaced my APP for free twice (one within the warranty period; another time under the replacement program), so now I have relatively new batteries inside the APP too.

 

[MecPro]

If next generation AirPods are expected in Q3, and reductions are happening between Q2 and Q3, couldn’t this possibly mean that the reductions are planned around the new model being released?

The info shared wouldn’t factor in production data on an unreleased product.

Nah. Normal consumers aren’t just sitting around waiting. These products are more accessible and cheaper than MacBooks and iPhones too. So buying this version isn’t going to hamstring you that much.

 

[countryside]

AirPods in generally do not seem to be made to last, but I have bad luck with Apple headphones in general. Even before, the wired ones would die on me within a year (usually the left piece for some reason would stop working).

I had to get my AirPod replaced once (also the left one started to fail) and even with the replacement they last about 30 minutes now. My AirPod Pro also had to be replaced before because of the cracking issue. Lesson learned, if I ever do get AirPods again (they ARE convenient) I will add AppleCare+ to them for sure

Yes, AppleCare+ is a must with AirPods... My Pros have been replaced 3 times now. Sick and tired of the issues, but I love the integration into the ecosystem.

 

[LeeW]

So many perfectly good and far cheaper alternatives out there. Airpods Pro are too costly for many and often is not a case of affordability, many just don't feel the need to spend $250 on APP and AP's are just not that great for many due to the poor approach to fitting.

I like my APP but I would look at alternatives when I am ready for new ones.

 

[justperry]

I bet the AirPods Max don't sell that well, priced too high.

Also, make them last longer, AirPods last for just a few years, then tossed in the bin because the battery is dead.

 

[attila]

My initial response was that it's due to the pandemic – not many have the need for portable headphones, but then I realised that I never use my AirPods outside the home as they easily fall out of my ears (yet they sit better than any other in-ear I've ever tried)

 

[otternonsense]

I would like to upgrade from my AirPod Pros... they have horrible battery life and tons of glitches like crackling!

Did you opt in for the replacement program earlier this year? You could give them a new lease of life (for free) and I recommended it to all of my friends who use them because, indeed, after some time they exhibit all of these issues.

 

[spiderman0616]

Many of you seem to think this has something to do with your personal opinion of AirPods. I assure you that it does not.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Shocking news. Maybe the prices are too high... make it affordable, please.

 

[justperry]

SHOCKING: if you don’t update a product for 2 years (okay okay, 1.5 years), after so many people have already bought the product, the sales will go down.

The AirPods Pro is so good that I don’t know what I want for the next version - given that Apple replaced my APP for free twice (one within the warranty period; another time under the replacement program), so now I have relatively new batteries inside the APP too.

Bold
Haha, they are so good that Apple replaced them twice....the contradiction/irony.

 

[SenorWhyMe]

just ordered from amazon can’t wait first ever airpods