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 is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle.
Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines.
According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option.
Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator.
The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce.
In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing."
TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far.
Size
Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch.
The key announcements include:
New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January.
"Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro.
Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...
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.)