DigiTimes: Second-Gen AirPods Pro to Launch in Second Half of 2021

Apple will launch a next-generation version of AirPods Pro in the second half of next year, according to a new report today.

AirPods Pro
According to DigiTimes' sources, at least some of the next-gen ‌AirPods Pro‌ models will be assembled by Inventec Appliances in Vietnam, with current generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ manufacturers Luxshare and GoerTek also taking a share.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often reliably predicts Apple's product plans, has previously said that Apple is working on a second-generation version of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ that will go into mass production into the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022, suggesting no ‌AirPods Pro‌ refresh in 2020 or early 2021.

Future AirPods could include light sensors, which could be used for health monitoring features. DigiTimes has suggested the new sensors could be included in AirPods in one to two years. Health monitoring features could let the AirPods monitor heart rate, step counts, and health conditions, as well as detect head movements.

Apple is also rumored to be working on a third-generation version of the lower-end AirPods, for a planned rollout in the first half of 2021. Kuo originally said the third-generation AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods with no design changes, but later said that the new AirPods will feature a form factor design "similar to ‌AirPods Pro‌."

The third-generation AirPods are expected to adopt a more compact system-in-package (SiP) that's similar to the internals of the ‌AirPods Pro‌, which will allow the audio features of the AirPods to be integrated into a casing more similar in design to the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

itsmilo Avatar
42 months ago

Airpods Pro is the only Apple product I regret buying.
If a new version releases, I will be waiting this time for a while to see proper reviews.

Funny enough I bought the pair from US in January when I traveled mainly because I wanted airplane noise cancellation.
Turns out the covid made this a bad investment from my side, especially that the Airpods v1 sound much better (for my ear shape) than the Pros.

Honestly, I hope they nail down the issues some users - including myself - have with them and we see another cool Apple product.
i prefer my first generation AirPods too. I love how I cannot even tell I am wearing them. It’s like the music comes out of thin air and I prefer the bass compared to my AirPod Pro.

The only thing I like more is the ANC but that’s it.

i actually assumed in-ear would mean that they would stay better IN my ears, especially since they provide 3 different sizes but nope I have the constant feeling of them almost falling out and I have to push them back in. The original AirPod fit me better (tho I also dropped them a few times)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kebabfar88 Avatar
42 months ago
All i want is volume control :(
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
42 months ago
I love my AirPods Pro! I use them all the time

The noise cancellation works great - hopefully it can be improved even more in the 2nd gen version

If Apple does release the 2nd gen in the 2nd half of 2021 I will definitely upgrade and give my 1st gen to my dad
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
42 months ago
Can’t wait for the update with iOS 14 in the fall with auto switching and 3D audio it will need a firmware upgrade
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
42 months ago

I love my AirPods Pro but I cannot get rid off popping sound while walking. Nothing helps....
Replacing them will help ?

They’re defective. It’s a well-known problem, Apple will replace them.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hsotnicam8002 Avatar
42 months ago
Volume control on device, please.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

Thursday September 28, 2023 6:25 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Both of the reports document anecdotal complaints from customers, and outline potential causes, but it's unclear how many devices are actually affected. Bloomberg said the overheating could be caused or compounded by the iPhone's setup...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...
Mac Gaming

Apple Explains How Game Mode Works in macOS Sonoma

Wednesday September 27, 2023 2:24 am PDT by
In macOS Sonoma, Game Mode prioritizes CPU and GPU performance for gaming purposes on Macs. For those unfamiliar with Game Mode, Apple on Tuesday published a support document providing more information on how to use the new feature. Game Mode optimizes your gaming experience by giving your game the highest priority access to your CPU and GPU, lowering usage for background tasks. And it...