Third-Generation AirPods Still Rumored to Be on Track for 2021 Launch

The third-generation AirPods are still on track to be launched before the end of this year, despite their lack of appearance during the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 event earlier last month, according to DigiTimes.

airpods 3 1
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported the weekend before Apple's September 14 "California streaming" event that the third-generation AirPods would make an appearance during the fully digital event. While that did not happen, the new AirPods are rumored to already be in mass production, and Apple is seemingly gearing up to launch them before the end of the year.

The new AirPods will be the first significant update to the AirPods lineup since the AirPods Pro three years ago. The new AirPods are expected to feature an updated design that takes inspiration from the higher-end ‌AirPods Pro‌ but lacking in "Pro" features. Rumors are unclear on whether the new AirPods will feature silicone ear tips or not, as leaked images and renders depict both possibilities.

Apple announced its ‌AirPods Pro‌ via a press release in 2019, and besides their initial announcement on stage in 2016, AirPods have not yet been given dedicated airtime during an Apple event. Apple could announce the new third-generation AirPods via a press release in the coming weeks, or alternatively include them in its rumored second event for the fall, expected to take place later this month or in November.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...

Top Rated Comments

mystery hill Avatar
50 months ago
Digitimes, Prosser, Gurman: 'Apple will release a new iPhone next year.'
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
50 months ago
......and I'm still on track to dye my hair purple before the end of 2021.

See? I can be the dan version of digitimes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
50 months ago
There’s so many little holes and proximity sensors on these, a black version would be great - much like all the cameras and sensors hidden behind the iPhone notch.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
interessiert Avatar
50 months ago
Please NO silicon eartips!
:apple:

('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/01/third-generation-airpods-on-track-for-2021-launch/')

The third-generation AirPods are still on track to be launched before the end of this year, despite their lack of appearance during the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 event earlier last month, according to DigiTimes ('https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20211001PD202.html').



Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported the weekend before Apple's September 14 "California streaming" event that the third-generation AirPods would make an appearance during the fully digital event. While that did not happen, the new AirPods are rumored to already be in mass production ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/15/third-generation-airpods-shipments/'), and Apple is seemingly gearing up to launch them before the end of the year.

The new AirPods will be the first significant update to the AirPods lineup since the AirPods Pro three years ago. The new AirPods are expected to feature an updated design that takes inspiration from the higher-end AirPods Pro but lacking in "Pro" features. Rumors are unclear on whether the new AirPods will feature silicone ear tips ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/21/next-gen-airpods-image-leak/') or not ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/10/leaked-renders-for-third-gen-airpods/'), as leaked images and renders depict both possibilities.

Apple announced its AirPods Pro via a press release in 2019, and besides their initial announcement on stage in 2016, AirPods have not yet been given dedicated airtime during an Apple event. Apple could announce the new third-generation AirPods via a press release in the coming weeks, or alternatively include them in its rumored second event for the fall, expected to take place later this month or in November.

Article Link: Third-Generation AirPods Still Rumored to Be on Track for 2021 Launc ('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/01/third-generation-airpods-on-track-for-2021-launch/')
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sciomar Avatar
50 months ago
My gen 1's need a worthy successor, let these be it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
geotbozo Avatar
50 months ago

You need them for the seal to get noise cancellation. They wouldn’t be Pros without this. Might as well go with the AirPods.
Which is why he said NC is no longer important to him...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)