Third-Gen AirPods With AirPods Pro Design to Cost $200 and Launch in First Half of 2021

[MacRumors]

Apple's third-generation AirPods, which are expected to adopt the AirPods Pro design but lack noise-cancelling and transparency features, will launch in the first half of next year for around $200, claims a new report from TheElec today.

Not for the first time in the rumor sphere, today's report refers to the earbuds as a "Lite" version of the AirPods Pro, but TheElec additionally suggests they will be priced "20% cheaper" than the $249 AirPods Pro, which would put them around the $200 price point.

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 person familiar with the matter said the Lite version will be priced 20% cheaper than the normal Airpods Pro which has noise canceling tech.

This is the same price as the current second-generation AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, suggesting the new model would replace them. If so, Apple's AirPods lineup would adopt the AirPods Pro design signature across the board – or at least until Apple releases its second-generation AirPods Pro, which could look more like Samsung's Galaxy Buds, according to Bloomberg.

Rumors that Apple is working on third-generation AirPods for launch in the first half of next year first surfaced in April 2020 in a note to investors by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo said the new ‌‌AirPods‌‌ will adopt the system-in-package (SiP) used for the ‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌, and later suggested this will allow for a form factor similar to the ‌AirPods Pro‌, featuring a shorter stem and replaceable ear tips. Kuo also said battery life could be improved, and a lack of noise cancelation features would make the AirPods 3 more affordable.

A South Korean supplier is developing the AirPods' new SiP used for the H1 chip, which is said to be a "simple square shape," in contrast to the AirPods Pro SiP, which is "round-shaped like a mouse," according to TheElec. The supplier will go through Apple's quality review within the year and begin mass production next year, the report adds.

Article Link: Third-Gen AirPods With AirPods Pro Design to Cost $200 and Launch in First Half of 2021

 

[hellosil]

1. AirPods
2. AirPods Pro Lite
3. AirPods Pro
4. AirPods Max Sports
5. AirPods Max

 

[joelhinch]

1. AirPods
2. AirPods Pro Lite
3. AirPods Pro
4. AirPods Max Sports
5. AirPods Max

Pretty much.
AirPods SE tho

 

[Sethal]

Well, if that’s the case I might as well just replace my first gen with the second gen when they’re on sale for cheap again. $200 is too much, was hoping they’d be the same price as second gen or even cheaper. Should’ve known better.

 

[Ultralight_backpacker]

I tested the AirPod Pro & it’s a crap device that is limited to 250kbps sound latency. Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

I used the Shure SE535 with the BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 connector and even though it is capped at 250kbps the sound spectrum is wider and has much more engaging highs & mids along with better bass as well. I can slip the SE846 on there, but I keep those on pure silver custom cables playing 6,000kbps Vinyl tracks only.

All people who use AirPods, AirPod Pros & the new Pro Max have been brainwashed by Apple’s marketing department to believe 250 is a bigger number than 320.

Even the 3.5mm Apple Headphones have a greater sound spectrum that the AirPod Pro does. Other than Pornography, these devices are the biggest scourge in all of humanity. They are the catalyst for communism, and forced indoctrination on the masses of low quality audio packaged as being superior. The original iPod that Steve Jobs created has better sound than the iPhone 12 Pro...& I’ve tested it.

We will not be genocided out of existence. Humanity deserves to have good audio, and Apple has become the machine from the 1984 commercial. I am here to throw a sledgehammer into their screen and wake people up!!

However I believe it is too late, and too many have given into deviancy and have turned their back on the creator. So I’ll climb the tallest mountains in the world and when I’m at the top I’ll look up and think about the satellites which imprison all of you peasants on the ground below into never being able to achieve your goals in life and being enslaved to 250kbps audio and living in audio hell for all of eternity with Bluetooth audio.

 

[alpi123]

Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

It's almost as if the point of AirPods is to be completely wireless...

 

[deevey]

Anyone that has problems with wearing true in-ears is going to be mighty pissed.

Regular AirPods were just about last best sounding and most comfortable no-so-in-ear-in-ear wireless headphones out there.

My wife is not impressed at all. She simply can't do on-head, or in-ears.

If I was in the market for AirPods though, $50 doesn't sound like enough incentive to go with a "lite" version of the pro's

 

[mattopotamus]

Anyone that has problems with wearing true in-ears is going to be mighty pissed.

Regular AirPods were just about last best sounding and most comfortable no-so-in-ear-in-ear wireless headphones out there.

My wife is not impressed at all. She simply can't do on-head, or in-ears.

If I was in the market for AirPods though, $50 doesn't sound like enough incentive to go with a "lite" version of the pro's

I’m in that boat. AirPod pros with the tips do not fit my ears

 

[aso238]

Come on apple, stick to the minimalistic / simplicity principles Steve Jobs founded Apple with. A lite version!? This is getting ridiculous!

 

[kstotlani]

I tested the AirPod Pro & it’s a crap device that is limited to 250kbps sound latency. Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

I used the Shure SE535 with the BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 connector and even though it is capped at 250kbps the sound spectrum is wider and has much more engaging highs & mids along with better bass as well. I can slip the SE846 on there, but I keep those on pure silver custom cables playing 6,000kbps Vinyl tracks only.

All people who use AirPods, AirPod Pros & the new Pro Max have been brainwashed by Apple’s marketing department to believe 250 is a bigger number than 320.

Even the 3.5mm Apple Headphones have a greater sound spectrum that the AirPod Pro does. Other than Pornography, these devices are the biggest scourge in all of humanity. They are the catalyst for communism, and forced indoctrination on the masses of low quality audio packaged as being superior. The original iPod that Steve Jobs created has better sound than the iPhone 12 Pro...& I’ve tested it.

We will not be genocided out of existence. Humanity deserves to have good audio, and Apple has become the machine from the 1984 commercial. I am here to throw a sledgehammer into their screen and wake people up!!

However I believe it is too late, and too many have given into deviancy and have turned their back on the creator. So I’ll climb the tallest mountains in the world and when I’m at the top I’ll look up and think about the satellites which imprison all of you peasants on the ground below into never being able to achieve your goals in life and being enslaved to 250kbps audio and living in audio hell for all of eternity with Bluetooth audio.

How dare you say that I am brainwashed. I am but how dare you say it.

AirPods are used by the masses more for convenience than sound quality. It’s a beautiful compromise as you cannot have a better set of wireless earphones connect to your iPhone seamlessly.

 

[iDento]

I tested the AirPod Pro & it’s a crap device that is limited to 250kbps sound latency. Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

I used the Shure SE535 with the BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 connector and even though it is capped at 250kbps the sound spectrum is wider and has much more engaging highs & mids along with better bass as well. I can slip the SE846 on there, but I keep those on pure silver custom cables playing 6,000kbps Vinyl tracks only.

All people who use AirPods, AirPod Pros & the new Pro Max have been brainwashed by Apple’s marketing department to believe 250 is a bigger number than 320.

Even the 3.5mm Apple Headphones have a greater sound spectrum that the AirPod Pro does. Other than Pornography, these devices are the biggest scourge in all of humanity. They are the catalyst for communism, and forced indoctrination on the masses of low quality audio packaged as being superior. The original iPod that Steve Jobs created has better sound than the iPhone 12 Pro...& I’ve tested it.

We will not be genocided out of existence. Humanity deserves to have good audio, and Apple has become the machine from the 1984 commercial. I am here to throw a sledgehammer into their screen and wake people up!!

However I believe it is too late, and too many have given into deviancy and have turned their back on the creator. So I’ll climb the tallest mountains in the world and when I’m at the top I’ll look up and think about the satellites which imprison all of you peasants on the ground below into never being able to achieve your goals in life and being enslaved to 250kbps audio and living in audio hell for all of eternity with Bluetooth audio.

The AirPods and AirPods pro are small true wireless devices that are designed to be used for music listening on the go, podcasts, phone calls and so. If you want the best music experience and nothing else, you have much better options somewhere else.

 

[Slash787]

I hope the battery life is better, make it at least 7 to 10 hours.

My first generation Air Pods don't work more than 5 minutes, they are basically of no use and they are just kept on my table since the past 5 months.

 

[44267547]

I’ve owned every pair of AirPods up to now, and the AirPod Pros have some nice advantages with the active noise cancellation (Plus, they are significantly louder over the standard AirPods.), But the inner ear pressure became uncomfortable around the 30 minute mark, where I could not wear them anymore. The difference with the standard AirPods, is they rest on the outermost portion of your ear.

 

[ksec]

I could pay an extra $100 if they have Battery that last 3x longer in cycles.

All My AirPods are dead after a little more than a year. They barely hold charge for longer than 20min.

 

[michaelsviews]

I tested the AirPod Pro & it’s a crap device that is limited to 250kbps sound latency. Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

I used the Shure SE535 with the BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 connector and even though it is capped at 250kbps the sound spectrum is wider and has much more engaging highs & mids along with better bass as well. I can slip the SE846 on there, but I keep those on pure silver custom cables playing 6,000kbps Vinyl tracks only.

All people who use AirPods, AirPod Pros & the new Pro Max have been brainwashed by Apple’s marketing department to believe 250 is a bigger number than 320.

Even the 3.5mm Apple Headphones have a greater sound spectrum that the AirPod Pro does. Other than Pornography, these devices are the biggest scourge in all of humanity. They are the catalyst for communism, and forced indoctrination on the masses of low quality audio packaged as being superior. The original iPod that Steve Jobs created has better sound than the iPhone 12 Pro...& I’ve tested it.

We will not be genocided out of existence. Humanity deserves to have good audio, and Apple has become the machine from the 1984 commercial. I am here to throw a sledgehammer into their screen and wake people up!!

However I believe it is too late, and too many have given into deviancy and have turned their back on the creator. So I’ll climb the tallest mountains in the world and when I’m at the top I’ll look up and think about the satellites which imprison all of you peasants on the ground below into never being able to achieve your goals in life and being enslaved to 250kbps audio and living in audio hell for all of eternity with Bluetooth audio.

Interesting post. The Apple Bandwagon is coming to town and "We think you'll like it". So the price will be less? and battery life LONGER?

 

[calstanford]

The Pro design doesn't fit my ears.

So unless Apple offers the original design again I won't ever be an airpods customer again. Pity.

 

[sdz]

I tested the AirPod Pro & it’s a crap device that is limited to 250kbps sound latency. Terrible for humanity for Apple to impose these devices and take away the 3.5mm jack.

I used the Shure SE535 with the BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 connector and even though it is capped at 250kbps the sound spectrum is wider and has much more engaging highs & mids along with better bass as well. I can slip the SE846 on there, but I keep those on pure silver custom cables playing 6,000kbps Vinyl tracks only.

All people who use AirPods, AirPod Pros & the new Pro Max have been brainwashed by Apple’s marketing department to believe 250 is a bigger number than 320.

Even the 3.5mm Apple Headphones have a greater sound spectrum that the AirPod Pro does. Other than Pornography, these devices are the biggest scourge in all of humanity. They are the catalyst for communism, and forced indoctrination on the masses of low quality audio packaged as being superior. The original iPod that Steve Jobs created has better sound than the iPhone 12 Pro...& I’ve tested it.

We will not be genocided out of existence. Humanity deserves to have good audio, and Apple has become the machine from the 1984 commercial. I am here to throw a sledgehammer into their screen and wake people up!!

However I believe it is too late, and too many have given into deviancy and have turned their back on the creator. So I’ll climb the tallest mountains in the world and when I’m at the top I’ll look up and think about the satellites which imprison all of you peasants on the ground below into never being able to achieve your goals in life and being enslaved to 250kbps audio and living in audio hell for all of eternity with Bluetooth audio.

I can confirm that. Earpods with 3,5mm mouch louder and nicer sounding that 1gen AirPods on iPhone

 

[aso238]

1. AirPods
2. AirPods Pro Lite
3. AirPods Pro
4. AirPods Max Sports
5. AirPods Max

1. AirPods Lite
2. AirPods Sports
3. AirPods
4. AirPods Pro Lite
5. AirPods Pro Sports
6. AirPods Pro
7. AirPods Max Lite
8. AirPods Max Sports
9. AirPods Max
10. AirPods Pro Max
11. AirPods Pro Max Sports
12. AirPods Pro Max Lite

 

[loekf]

I’m in that boat. AirPod pros with the tips do not fit my ears

Same here. Hate in-ear or on-ear headphones as well. Gives me ear channel irritation or painfull ears as after a while.

No problems with the regular Airpods.

Apple why ?

 

[Abstract]

I have the original AirPods for walking to work, which includes a lot of walking along city streets.

If I want NC, I’ll wear my Sonys. If I want to walk to work, and hear traffic so that I can safely do so, the AirPods are very much perfect.

 

[44267547]

I can confirm that. Earpods with 3,5mm mouch louder and nicer sounding that 1gen AirPods on iPhone

What does ‘nicer’ mean when you mentioned you’re comparing GEN one AirPods compared to the 3.5 wired EarPods?

 

[and 1989 others]

Come on apple, stick to Steve Jobs minimalistic simplicity principles. This is getting ridiculous

I was literally thinking the same thing reading this. With all the different variants of all their products they are creeping back to the place where they were before jobs cane back in and scales back the products by 90%. This time however, they are gaining a larger proportion of revenue from services, not just products.

 

[duanepatrick]

Apple's third-generation AirPods...lack noise-cancelling and transparency features,...

I'll pass but they will buy it anyway.

 

[AAPLGeek]

1. AirPods
2. AirPods Pro Lite
3. AirPods Pro
4. AirPods Max Sports
5. AirPods Max

1. AirPods Lite
2. AirPods Sports
3. AirPods
4. AirPods Pro Lite
5. AirPods Pro Sports
6. AirPods Pro
7. AirPods Max Lite
8. AirPods Max Sports
9. AirPods Max
10. AirPods Pro Max
11. AirPods Pro Max Sports
12. AirPods Pro Max Lite

13. AirPods Mini

 

[Patriks7]

Well, if that’s the case I might as well just replace my first gen with the second gen when they’re on sale for cheap again. $200 is too much, was hoping they’d be the same price as second gen or even cheaper. Should’ve known better.

Considering the second gen costs 199$, it's kinda the same price.