Third-Generation AirPods Still Rumored to Be on Track for 2021 Launch

The third-generation AirPods are still on track to be launched before the end of this year, despite their lack of appearance during the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 event earlier last month, according to DigiTimes.

airpods 3 1
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported the weekend before Apple's September 14 "California streaming" event that the third-generation AirPods would make an appearance during the fully digital event. While that did not happen, the new AirPods are rumored to already be in mass production, and Apple is seemingly gearing up to launch them before the end of the year.

The new AirPods will be the first significant update to the AirPods lineup since the AirPods Pro three years ago. The new AirPods are expected to feature an updated design that takes inspiration from the higher-end ‌AirPods Pro‌ but lacking in "Pro" features. Rumors are unclear on whether the new AirPods will feature silicone ear tips or not, as leaked images and renders depict both possibilities.

Apple announced its ‌AirPods Pro‌ via a press release in 2019, and besides their initial announcement on stage in 2016, AirPods have not yet been given dedicated airtime during an Apple event. Apple could announce the new third-generation AirPods via a press release in the coming weeks, or alternatively include them in its rumored second event for the fall, expected to take place later this month or in November.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

mystery hill Avatar
51 months ago
Digitimes, Prosser, Gurman: 'Apple will release a new iPhone next year.'
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
51 months ago
......and I'm still on track to dye my hair purple before the end of 2021.

See? I can be the dan version of digitimes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
51 months ago
There’s so many little holes and proximity sensors on these, a black version would be great - much like all the cameras and sensors hidden behind the iPhone notch.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
interessiert Avatar
51 months ago
Please NO silicon eartips!
:apple:

MacRumors content image ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/01/third-generation-airpods-on-track-for-2021-launch/')

The third-generation AirPods are still on track to be launched before the end of this year, despite their lack of appearance during the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 event earlier last month, according to DigiTimes ('https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20211001PD202.html').

MacRumors content image

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported the weekend before Apple's September 14 "California streaming" event that the third-generation AirPods would make an appearance during the fully digital event. While that did not happen, the new AirPods are rumored to already be in mass production ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/15/third-generation-airpods-shipments/'), and Apple is seemingly gearing up to launch them before the end of the year.

The new AirPods will be the first significant update to the AirPods lineup since the AirPods Pro three years ago. The new AirPods are expected to feature an updated design that takes inspiration from the higher-end AirPods Pro but lacking in "Pro" features. Rumors are unclear on whether the new AirPods will feature silicone ear tips ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/21/next-gen-airpods-image-leak/') or not ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/10/leaked-renders-for-third-gen-airpods/'), as leaked images and renders depict both possibilities.

Apple announced its AirPods Pro via a press release in 2019, and besides their initial announcement on stage in 2016, AirPods have not yet been given dedicated airtime during an Apple event. Apple could announce the new third-generation AirPods via a press release in the coming weeks, or alternatively include them in its rumored second event for the fall, expected to take place later this month or in November.

Article Link: Third-Generation AirPods Still Rumored to Be on Track for 2021 Launc ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/01/third-generation-airpods-on-track-for-2021-launch/')
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sciomar Avatar
51 months ago
My gen 1's need a worthy successor, let these be it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
geotbozo Avatar
51 months ago

You need them for the seal to get noise cancellation. They wouldn’t be Pros without this. Might as well go with the AirPods.
Which is why he said NC is no longer important to him...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)