Over-Ear 'AirPods Studio' Will Reportedly Be Assembled in Vietnam in Mid 2020

[MacRumors]

Last month, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple's rumored over-ear headphones will enter mass production in mid 2020. A report from The Information today corroborates this timeframe, noting that suppliers Goertek and Luxshare will assemble at least a portion of the headphones in Vietnam and begin shipments to Apple in June or July.

As previously rumored, the report claims that the headphones will feature noise cancellation. Apple already sells over-ear Beats Studio3 with noise cancellation, but leaker Jon Prosser recently claimed that the new headphones will be branded as AirPods Studio.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple has tested at least two versions of the headphones, including a "premium version with leather-like fabrics" and a "fitness-focused model that uses lighter, breathable materials with small perforations," adding that at least one version could feature magnetically swappable parts.

Prosser has claimed that the AirPods Studio will retail for $349, with an announcement expected as early as WWDC next month.

Article Link: Over-Ear 'AirPods Studio' Will Reportedly Be Assembled in Vietnam in Mid 2020

 

[bobob]

How long until the trolls suddenly become nostalgic for made in China?

 

[Aluminum213]

God bless America

 

[bobenhaus]

Looks like a scratch on the left or is it the right ear ?

 

[Puppuccino]

Why AirPods Studio? AirPods are synonymous with the small little buds in ear. That will definitely confused consumers.

 

[Akiainavas]

God bless America

lol no

 

[nattK]

Why AirPods Studio? AirPods are synonymous with the small little buds in ear. That will definitely confused consumers.

Probably trying to capitalize on the "AirPods" brand recognition

 

[Puppuccino]

Probably trying to capitalize on the "AirPods" brand recognition

True. Just feels strange to compete with themselves against Beats, unless they get phased out, perhaps.

 

[lunarworks]

Why AirPods Studio? AirPods are synonymous with the small little buds in ear. That will definitely confused consumers.

iPods ranged all the way from minuscule iPod Shuffles to large iPod Touches.
[automerge]1589899116[/automerge]

True. Just feels strange to compete with themselves against Beats, unless they get phased out, perhaps.

There are certain market segments that won't even touch Beats products. Beats still has a loyal following, so it's best to keep both.

 

[Fusionskies]

Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam.

 

[HiVolt]

Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam.

Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam with parts made in China.

 

[Machead2012]

By the look of the photo you might as well just call em AirBeats. Beats with minor upgrade, adjustments and an Apple logo?

 

[Sp00k]

Why AirPods Studio? AirPods are synonymous with the small little buds in ear. That will definitely confused consumers.

I don't think it will. Apple wants AirPods to be known as their wireless headphone/earbud title, kind of like a Beats rebranding. Even more variations of the AirPods lineup will be coming, completely phasing out Beats. Besides, the 'Pod' suffix they use is mean for music (iPod, HomePod, EarPods). I could even see the HomePod being rebranded as the AirPods name.

 

[calzon65]

With the profit margin Apple makes on its products, they should be able to move more product manufacturing to the USA and still make a good profit, but cheap labor is a drug even Apple can't resist.

 

[Kebabselector]

Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in Vietnam with parts made in China.

Designed by Apple in California, Assembled wherever and with whatever offers the best value for shareholders.

 

[tkermit]

Hopefully the studio suffix indicates a reasonably flat frequency curve, support for lossless compression and/or the possibility of a wired connection...

 

[nvmls]

God bless America

The world would be too much?

 

[Williesleg]

It's easier to build in the country you are selling them in.
Why not?
Need to save the environment. Ships pollute the water big time. All their exhause gases get vented into the ocean. That kills the reefs and fish.

 

[IIGS User]

How long until the trolls suddenly become nostalgic for made in China?

Meh.

Why would anyone care about Vietnam as opposed to any other PacRim country?

I mean, the US fought a war in Vietnam that ended over 30 years ago. Vietnam is by name a Communist country, but by name only really. Their largest trading partner is already the US.

I could see Vietnam being one of the countries to benefit economically from the new wave of anti China sentiment in the US. While Apple isn't producing their newest most advanced products in places like India, they're working up to it.

TSCM has slowly been diversifying the locations it does manufacturing as well. There are multiple (very intelligent) reasons for doing so.

I mean, to just drop China on a whim would be tantamount to corporate suicide for Apple. Too much supply chain, skilled labor, and manufacturing is all ready centered there. It takes time to develop a workforce skilled enough to produce the most sophisticated products in your lineup, and time to develop relations with the businesses and governments in other countries so as to make such a venture work. Making headphones in Vietnam, and older model iPhones in India gives Apple the opportunity to develop these resources in country and make them work before trying to knit them into the overall manufacturing picture.

There was a time, particularly in the US I suppose when seeing "made in Vietnam" on something would elicit a sense of disgust from some. My father was drafted during Vietnam, and my father in law was in country for 2 tours. Both are long passed now, and both of them were still alive when Vietnamese made products were being sold in US stores. They didn't care.

The boots I'm issued at work (and wearing right now) are made in Vietnam. I mean, let's face it. Apple is NEVER mass producing headphones in the US.

Bose is making speaker systems in Mexico now. I just bought a Bose Revolve and it sounds great. I was actually pleased to see it was made in Mexico as opposed to China. But that didn't effect my decision to purchase it.

We live in a world economy now. Period. That's never going to change for things like consumer electronics and associated products. I suspect an on shoring of medical products (pharmaceutical precursors, pharmaceuticals, PPE) will be the big thing as it has a direct impact on public health and is time critical.

 

[twomack]

True. Just feels strange to compete with themselves against Beats, unless they get phased out, perhaps.

Probably because Microsoft has their own branded headphones.

 

[konqerror]

It's easier to build in the country you are selling them in.
Why not?
Need to save the environment. Ships pollute the water big time. All their exhause gases get vented into the ocean. That kills the reefs and fish.

It's often more efficient to build things in one place. For example, have you seen the bulk packaging for electronic devices? They are many times bigger and heavier than the chips themselves.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Why AirPods Studio? AirPods are synonymous with the small little buds in ear. That will definitely confused consumers.

They won't be confused with the poor sound quality. That is standard.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

By the look of the photo you might as well just call em AirBeats. Beats with minor upgrade, adjustments and an Apple logo?

This is a mockup...

 

[Mike Haas]

Absolutely fantastic! I'll willingly and blindly pay $449.00 for a $120.00 pair of crappy, ill-fitting headphones as long as I get the Apple Logo!

 

[rhyzome]

So when is the release date?