Tag: airpods

  • In split from others, Kuo says no new AirPods at March event

    In split from others, Kuo says no new AirPods at March event

    The rumor: Apple’s third generation AirPods are not coming at Apple’s March event, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • In a new research not obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo said mass production for AirPods 3 is not planned until Q3 2021, between July 1 and September 30
    • Other sources, like Kang (97.8% accurate) and Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) said that new AirPods are ready to ship now

    Our take: I think Kuo is wrong here because his track record lower than both Kang and Prosser. Odd to see him go against two higher-rated sources, but perhaps he is referring to AirPods Pro 2, instead?

  • Could AirPods 3 release ahead of Apple’s March 23 event?

    Could AirPods 3 release ahead of Apple’s March 23 event?

    The speculation: As the announcement of Apple’s March 23 event nears, some are guessing that AirPods 3 may not appear at the event at all.

    • All AirPods releases, except for one, have all happened via press releases: AirPods 2 in early 2019, AirPods Pro in late 2019 and AirPods Max in late 2020
    • The single AirPods release that happened at an Apple event took place in September 2016 when the product was first unveiled to the public

    Our take: While I was extremely bullish on AirPods 3 launching at the event next week, I wouldn’t be shocked if they launched through a press release sometime this week. If we would end up seeing them ahead of March 23, I would say Monday or Tuesday are our best guesses. But it’s still entirely possible that these come at the March event, too.

  • Kang: New AirPods ready to ship

    Kang: New AirPods ready to ship

    The rumor: New AirPods could launch at any time, according to Kang (97.8% accurate).

    • Alongside Kang, Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) has also reported that AirPods are ready to go
    • Apple’s first event of 2021 is rumored to take place as soon as March 23

    Our take: With the most accurate source of all time and the slew of leaks over the past week, there’s almost no chance AirPods 3 don’t launch on March 23. I can’t wait!

  • AirPods 3 details: hybrid in-ear design, optional ear tips & coming soon for ~$150

    AirPods 3 details: hybrid in-ear design, optional ear tips & coming soon for ~$150

    The leak: New photos of AirPods 3 provide our closest look yet at the upcoming earbuds, shared first by 52audio (not yet tracked).

    • These new images show AirPods 3 as a ‘semi-in-ear’ design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, with the option to use ear tips for a different fit
    • 52audio says the same H1 chip will remain, and the price will be around $150
    • AirPods 3 may launch as soon as Apple’s March 23 event

    Our take: As I hoped, the ear tips will be optional! These look like they’ll be the perfect upgrade over AirPods 2, but I do find it out that apparently the same H1 audio chip will be inside…

  • New AirPods 3 renders depict likely final design

    New AirPods 3 renders depict likely final design

    The leak: New renders for Apple’s upcoming AirPods 3 have been shared by Gizmochina (not yet tracked).

    • While not shown anywhere in the new images, Gizmochina mentions that AirPods 3 will likely ship with replaceable eartips…but it appears they could be optional?
    • AirPods 3 look like a truly hybrid design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro
    • These new AirPods could release as soon as March 23 at Apple’s first event of the year

    Our take: The fact that these new renders don’t show the eartips as mandatory gives me hope. And with all these leaks popping up…I think the March event is safe bet.


  • Prosser: AirPods 3 leak is legitimate

    Prosser: AirPods 3 leak is legitimate

    The rumor: Our first look at AirPods 3 is real, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate, via Apple Bitz XL podcast).

    • While many have voiced concerns about the legitimacy of the AirPods 3 leak, Prosser has heard that the leaked images and renders are authentic
    • Rumors indicate AirPods 3 could launch as soon as April

    Our take: As we mentioned prior, 52audio has a great track record when it comes to leaking new AirPods. Seems they were spot-on again.

  • AirPods 3 first look reveals all-new design and more (gallery)

    AirPods 3 first look reveals all-new design and more (gallery)

    The leak: 52audio.com, the same source that first gave us our first look at AirPods Pro in 2019, is back with images of what they claim to be is third-generation AirPods.

    • The new pods take a hybrid design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, and feature new touch controls on the stem
    • While ear tips are depicted in some images, it’s unclear whether the in-ear design will be mandatory or optional
    • Rumors suggest AirPods 3 will be releasing as soon as April

    Our take: I’m extremely concerned about the in-ear design as depicted in some images as it has not worked well for me on AirPods Pro. I really hope that those are optional, and not the intended method of listening for AirPods 3.

  • New AirPods & iMacs not expected to launch in March

    New AirPods & iMacs not expected to launch in March

    The rumor: Apple won’t be releasing new AirPods or iMac models in March, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    Our take: The more I think about next month’s products, the more it feels like Apple will hold a mini keynote similar to the three Fall events laster. Main product unveil + accessory seems to be a trend for them.

  • Hands-on photo allegedly shows black AirPods Pro casing

    Hands-on photo allegedly shows black AirPods Pro casing

    The leak: Apple may be working on a new color option for next-generation AirPods, according to Mr.white (50% accurate).

    • The image, which we are unable to verify the authenticity of, shows the inner portion of an AirPods Pro case…in black
    • Similar parts leaked ahead of AirPods Pro unveiling in late 2019
    • Rumors of black AirPods have been swirling since the first-generation version were released in 2016, but this is the first image leak we have ever seen

    Our take: There seems to have been quite some care taken to protect the identity of the person who took the photo, but I’m still so skeptical that this will actually happen. Seems too good to be true!

    https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1347740533641277441
  • AirPods Pro 2 may come in multiple sizes

    AirPods Pro 2 may come in multiple sizes

    The rumor: Apple may be working on multiple sizes of second generation AirPods Pro, according to Mr.white (50% accurate).

    • New images depict a longer cable attached to a similar System in Package (SiP) design
    • White also suggests the same audio chip (H1) will be included

    Our take: White, who is accurate about half of the time, interestingly refers to the “W2 Chips,” in these images. However, Apple replaced the W1 chip in AirPods 1 with the H1 chip powering AirPods 2/Pro–perhaps he is referring to H1 as the second generation ‘W2’ chip? With no other sources reporting different sizing for AirPods Pro 2, this is a first.

    https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1343968958169288704?s=20
  • AirPods 3 may cost $199, H1 chip inside

    AirPods 3 may cost $199, H1 chip inside

    The rumor: Apple is planning to upgrade AirPods in the first half of 2021, according to The Elec (75% accurate).

    • AirPods 3 will feature a similar design to AirPods Pro, but won’t include noise cancellation
    • A H1 audio chip may power the pods inside
    • These updated entry-level AirPods, coming in the first half of 2021, are rumored to cost $199

    Our take: Most interesting bit of the report from The Elec is this: “Apple initially planned to launch a Lite version right after the AirPods Pro were launched in October of last year. But the company canceled this as AirPods Pro were selling better than expected.” Seems like third generation AirPods were supposed to come out in 2020…but too many people were already buying AirPods Pro.