According to insights shared by Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple's suppliers are gearing up to kickstart mass production of the upcoming AirPods models, commencing in May. This production wave signals the retirement of AirPods 3, making way for a fresh duo of models.
The upcoming AirPods models introduce a dual-tier lineup for the non-Pro earbuds segment. Both models will showcase revamped designs, enhanced comfort fits, and will adopt USB-C charging. The higher-tier variant will additionally feature active noise cancellation and Find My integration for the case, akin to the AirPods Pro.
Gurman reveals that the two models carry codenames B768E and B768M, strategically positioned to supplant the existing product roster.
Following lower-than-projected sales of the AirPods 3, Apple is banking on these new iterations to make a significant impact. Gurman predicts a production target of 20-25 million units for the new models, potentially marking the largest AirPods launch to date. Anticipate their release coinciding with the debut of the iPhone 16 in the fall.
While a hardware refresh for the AirPods Pro isn't slated until 2025, there are hints of forthcoming software enhancements such as a hearing aid mode.
In the near term, AirPods Max is expected to receive an update featuring a USB-C charging port, with no other notable additions.
Looking ahead, Apple is poised to unveil new iterations of the iPad Pro and iPad Air soon. All eyes will then be on WWDC in June, where Apple is expected to introduce the next iterations of its operating systems, including iOS 18 for iPhone, packed with innovative artificial intelligence capabilities. Source
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