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.
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Heal...
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further.
During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk.
The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services.
Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year.
If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors.
Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow.
MacRumors...
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles.
There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below.
CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve).
The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...
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.)
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/12/kuo-airpods-3-apple-event-tuesday/')
