Apple will announce its third-generation AirPods, featuring a new design similar to the AirPods Pro but lacking in "Pro" features during its "California streaming" Apple event on Tuesday, September 14, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in an investors note obtained by MacRumors.
Kuo envisions two possible scenarios for how Apple treats the AirPods lineup following the launch of the new model. In the first scenario, Kuo says Apple may price the third-generation AirPods higher than the current second-generation AirPods, keeping the existing model in the line.
Secondly, Apple may reduce the price of the existing AirPods and replace their spot in the lineup with the third-generation AirPods at the current $199 price point. Either way, Kuo says Apple will keep the second-generation AirPods in the lineup for customers who prefer the older design.
We have two scenarios for AirPods pricing: 1) AirPods 3 price is higher than existing AirPods 2, and AirPods 2 price remains the same, or 2) AirPods 3 price is the same as existing AirPods 2 and AirPods 2 price cuts. In scenario one, the market will be neutral on the AirPods announcement. In scenario two, the AirPods announcement will be better than the market expectation for supply chain shipments.
The third-generation AirPods are expected to feature a design language similar to the AirPods Pro, but rumors are conflicting on whether the new design will include silicone ear tips. Images of the alleged third-generation AirPods were shared earlier this year, and according to those images, the new AirPods will not feature silicone eartips. On the other hand, renders of the upcoming AirPods depict them with silicone eartips.
Alongside the third-generation AirPods, Apple is also planning to announce the iPhone 13 and the Apple Watch Series 7 during its "California streaming" event on Tuesday, September 14. For a full breakdown of everything we expect, be sure to check our guide.
Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind.
Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe.
Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more.
In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date.
Keep reading...
Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others.
During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features.
Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:26 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include two standout features that could set it apart from the competition.
The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Apple will announce its third-generation AirPods, featuring a new design similar to the AirPods Pro but lacking in "Pro" features during its "California streaming" Apple event on Tuesday, September 14, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in an investors note obtained by MacRumors.
Kuo envisions two possible scenarios for how Apple treats the AirPods lineup following the launch of the new model. In the first scenario, Kuo says Apple may price the third-generation AirPods higher than the current second-generation AirPods, keeping the existing model in the line.
Secondly, Apple may reduce the price of the existing AirPods and replace their spot in the lineup with the third-generation AirPods at the current $199 price point. Either way, Kuo says Apple will keep the second-generation AirPods in the lineup for customers who prefer the older design. The third-generation AirPods are expected to feature a design language similar to the AirPods Pro, but rumors are conflicting on whether the new design will include silicone ear tips. Images of the alleged third-generation AirPods were shared earlier this year ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/12/airpods-3-redesign-new-images/'), and according to those images, the new AirPods will not feature silicone eartips. On the other hand, renders of the upcoming AirPods ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/21/next-gen-airpods-image-leak/') depict them with silicone eartips.
Alongside the third-generation AirPods, Apple is also planning to announce the iPhone 13 and the Apple Watch Series 7 during its "California streaming" event on Tuesday, September 14. For a full breakdown of everything we expect, be sure to check our guide ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-event-september-14-what-to-expect/').
Article Link: Kuo: Third-Generation AirPods to be Announced During 'California Streaming' Apple Event ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/12/kuo-airpods-3-apple-event-tuesday/')
they absolutely can't price the AirPods 3 any higher than the current price of AirPods 2, it would be insanity. already you have an APPLE PRODUCT in the Beats Studio Buds that are much smaller, fit bitter (than even AirPods Pro), have active noise reduction, transparency mode, and sound better but cost $149... I don't know how Apple is going to sell a stemmed AirPod with no active noise reduction, no transparency etc. for $199 let alone even more. I suspect the AirPods 2 at $149 (no wireless case option any longer), AirPods 3 at $199 (overpriced to the extreme based on rumored features), and AirPods Pro at $249 (dated design, overpriced, the bud version of the AirPod Pro 2 next year will be worthy of this price again.)