Last month, veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple’s next-generation AirPods 3 will debut around the end of the year with an all-new form factor and a higher price. Today, a new report by DigiTimes is also implying that Apple will be offering a higher-spec option of the AirPods 3 at a correspondingly higher price (via 9to5Mac).
According to the Taiwanese publication, a supplier is increasing shipments for a component used in the current AirPods 2 model through early 2020, despite the fact that this part is not expected to be used in AirPods 3. That would make sense only if Apple plans to continue selling the existing model alongside AirPods 3:
Unitech Printed Circuit Board has been ramping up rigid-flex PCB shipments for Apple’s AirPods 2, the order visibility for which has extended through early 2020 at least, according to industry sources.
This is despite market speculation that AirPods 3 – reportedly to hit the market by the end of 2019 – may feature a brand-new internal design adopting SiP (system in package) technology instead of rigid-flex board combination, the sources said.
The report also notes that Apple will continue to offer the same $159 (Lightning) and $199 (wireless) price points for an updated version of the existing AirPods.
While it is way too early to make any predictions about the AirPods 3 pricing in Canada, do you think Apple would increase the price of its already expensive earbuds any further?
