Leaker Casts Doubt on Third-Generation AirPods Launching Soon

While rumors have been floating around about third-generation AirPods launching as early as this month, a reliable leaker has suggested this will not be the case after all.

airpods 3 1
In a cryptic-as-usual message posted on his Weibo page today (via 9to5Mac), L0vetodream said there are "no AirPods" in his "dream." In a tweet shortly afterwards, he then suggested that the second-generation AirPods will not be discontinued yet. This comes after well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the third-generation AirPods will enter mass production in the second half of 2021, meaning a launch could be months away.

At this point, it's unclear if Apple will even be holding its rumored March 23 event, as it was generally expected that Apple would have announced the event by today at around 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Of course, Apple could choose to announce the event at a different time, or it could introduce new products with press releases as it did last March.

Apple has a handful of products rumored to be in the pipeline, including its long-awaited AirTags item trackers, a new iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display, new iPad and iPad mini models, and a new Apple TV. A redesigned iMac with Apple silicon is also expected to launch this year, but it's unclear if the computer is ready yet. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon are not expected until the second half of 2021.

Related Roundup: AirPods 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

LeadingHeat Avatar
27 months ago

I would love new Apple TV, but I think fall release is more likely. I think given HomePod's demise, perhaps it needs to be reborn as HomeTV, with built-in microphones (Sound Recognition security) and camera (webcam and indoor security camera) to emphasis Home.
Or built in mesh networking, either as a router or an extender. Bring back AirPort!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrPresident Avatar
27 months ago
My first generation AirPods get less than 15 minutes after three and a half years. As reluctant as I am to buy another pair of disposable ear phones for £160 I probably would have snapped them up if they were ready next week.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
27 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/16/third-gen-airpods-no-longer-expected-soon/')

At this point, it's unclear if Apple will even be holding its rumored March 23 event ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/08/apple-event-march-23-kang/'), as it was generally expected that Apple would have announced the event by today at around 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Of course, Apple could choose to announce the event at a different time, or it could introduce new products with press releases as it did last March.
It will be just a press release, but probably more elaborate product video for new products like the AirTags.

New iPad models don't really warrant a press release, if it ends up being just better display, 5G, faster processor, and new color.

I would love new Apple TV, but I think fall release is more likely. I think given HomePod's demise, perhaps it needs to be reborn as HomeTV, with built-in microphones (Sound Recognition security) and camera (webcam and indoor security camera) to emphasis Home.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0-0 Avatar
27 months ago
Apple are really starting to throw off the leakers... no invites sent today for the rumoured 23rd event.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
27 months ago
Yep it looks as if the like of Prosser and Co have got it wrong.
All we have heard from fairly reliable sources is that iPads are ready to go, Airtags are ready to go, AirPods 3 are ready to go and there will be an event on the 23rd.
With one week to go, that’s all looking very unlikely now unless of course Apple release one or some of those products without an event.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unity451 Avatar
27 months ago
I think they'll time the release to be just as everyone's non-replaceable rechargeable batteries begin failing.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...
apple park at night 1

Apple 'Tracking Employee Attendance' in Crackdown on Remote Working

Thursday March 23, 2023 3:41 am PDT by
Apple is tracking the attendance of its employees at offices using badge records in order to ensure they are coming in at least three times a week, according to Platformer's Zoë Schiffer. Since April 2022, Apple employees have been operating on a hybrid home/office work policy as part of a gradual return strategy following the pandemic, with staff required to work from the office at least...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Rumor Recap: 10 New Features and Changes to Expect

Thursday March 23, 2023 6:42 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 series is still around six months away from launching, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes have been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in particular. Below, we have recapped 10 changes rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A1...
maxresdefault

Nothing Launches $149 Ear (2) Wireless Earbuds to Compete With AirPods Pro 2

Wednesday March 22, 2023 9:48 am PDT by
Nothing today announced the launch of its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2), which offer many of the same features as Apple's AirPods Pro 2 at a lower price point. We went hands-on with the Ear (2) earbuds to see whether they're a viable alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 for those who want to save some cash. The Ear (2) earbuds are the successor to the Nothing Ear (1),...
TMobile Sprint

Apple Stops Allowing Sprint iPhone Activations, Removes Sprint References From Online Store

Thursday March 23, 2023 12:06 pm PDT by
Apple is no longer allowing customers who purchase an iPhone, cellular iPad, or Apple Watch to activate a device with now-defunct mobile carrier Sprint. Apple has also removed remaining references to Sprint from its online store. When checking out with a new purchase, Sprint is no longer an option for connectivity, a change that Apple appears to have implemented today. Prior to now, Sprint...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
Hero0009

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 Gets Massive $250 Discount, Along With Year's Best AirPods Prices

Friday March 24, 2023 10:23 am PDT by
We saw a lot of great deals on Apple products and related accessories this week, including Samsung's iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 for $250 off, a 30 percent off spring sale at Anker, and the year's best prices on numerous AirPods models. All of these deals are still available to purchase right now, so we're recapping them and more below. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these ...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...