Leaker Casts Doubt on Third-Generation AirPods Launching Soon - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

airpods 4 new new orange

Beyond iPhone 18 Pro: AirPods 5 in September, iPad Mini With OLED Display in October

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:25 am PDT by
In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that AirPods 5 will be released as early as this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Apple is holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. He also reiterated that he expects an iPad mini with an OLED display and...
airpods 4 new new orange

AirPods 5 to Launch as Early as Next Month

Monday August 24, 2026 8:00 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to announce two new AirPods 5 models as early as Wednesday, September 9, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Like the AirPods 4, the AirPods 5 will be available with and without active noise cancellation, he said. AirPods 5 references were already discovered in macOS 26.7 Release Candidate code last week, and the report said they could be unveiled at this year's iPhone...
airpods camera leaked

Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Confirmed: See Them in Action

Monday August 17, 2026 6:21 pm PDT by
Apple is working on camera-equipped AirPods that appear to be nearly ready to launch, based on a video MacRumors found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate. In a short demo, a man holds a book up so the camera in the AirPods can see the title. "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later," says the voiceover text. Here ...

Top Rated Comments

LeadingHeat Avatar
72 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)
72 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)
0-0 Avatar
72 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)
nutmac Avatar
72 months ago

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)
Unity451 Avatar
72 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)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
72 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)