DigiTimes: Second-Gen AirPods Pro to Launch in Second Half of 2021

Apple will launch a next-generation version of AirPods Pro in the second half of next year, according to a new report today.

AirPods Pro
According to DigiTimes' sources, at least some of the next-gen ‌AirPods Pro‌ models will be assembled by Inventec Appliances in Vietnam, with current generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ manufacturers Luxshare and GoerTek also taking a share.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often reliably predicts Apple's product plans, has previously said that Apple is working on a second-generation version of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ that will go into mass production into the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022, suggesting no ‌AirPods Pro‌ refresh in 2020 or early 2021.

Future AirPods could include light sensors, which could be used for health monitoring features. DigiTimes has suggested the new sensors could be included in AirPods in one to two years. Health monitoring features could let the AirPods monitor heart rate, step counts, and health conditions, as well as detect head movements.

Apple is also rumored to be working on a third-generation version of the lower-end AirPods, for a planned rollout in the first half of 2021. Kuo originally said the third-generation AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods with no design changes, but later said that the new AirPods will feature a form factor design "similar to ‌AirPods Pro‌."

The third-generation AirPods are expected to adopt a more compact system-in-package (SiP) that's similar to the internals of the ‌AirPods Pro‌, which will allow the audio features of the AirPods to be integrated into a casing more similar in design to the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

itsmilo Avatar
57 months ago

Airpods Pro is the only Apple product I regret buying.
If a new version releases, I will be waiting this time for a while to see proper reviews.

Funny enough I bought the pair from US in January when I traveled mainly because I wanted airplane noise cancellation.
Turns out the covid made this a bad investment from my side, especially that the Airpods v1 sound much better (for my ear shape) than the Pros.

Honestly, I hope they nail down the issues some users - including myself - have with them and we see another cool Apple product.
i prefer my first generation AirPods too. I love how I cannot even tell I am wearing them. It’s like the music comes out of thin air and I prefer the bass compared to my AirPod Pro.

The only thing I like more is the ANC but that’s it.

i actually assumed in-ear would mean that they would stay better IN my ears, especially since they provide 3 different sizes but nope I have the constant feeling of them almost falling out and I have to push them back in. The original AirPod fit me better (tho I also dropped them a few times)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kebabfar88 Avatar
57 months ago
All i want is volume control :(
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
57 months ago
I love my AirPods Pro! I use them all the time

The noise cancellation works great - hopefully it can be improved even more in the 2nd gen version

If Apple does release the 2nd gen in the 2nd half of 2021 I will definitely upgrade and give my 1st gen to my dad
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
57 months ago
Can’t wait for the update with iOS 14 in the fall with auto switching and 3D audio it will need a firmware upgrade
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
57 months ago

I love my AirPods Pro but I cannot get rid off popping sound while walking. Nothing helps....
Replacing them will help ?

They’re defective. It’s a well-known problem, Apple will replace them.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hsotnicam8002 Avatar
57 months ago
Volume control on device, please.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)