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

iPhone 17 Slim Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' With 'Major' Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report

Sunday December 15, 2024 9:47 am PST by
Apple is planning a series of "major design" and "format changes" for iPhones over the next few years, according to The Wall Street Journal's Aaron Tilley and Yang Jie. The paywalled report published today corroborated the widely-rumored "iPhone 17 Air" with an "ultrathin" design that is thinner than current iPhone models. The report did not mention a specific measurement, but previous...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3

Monday December 16, 2024 10:06 am PST by
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software update. There's no word yet on what's included in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, ...
apple tv 4k yellow bg feature

New Apple TV Rumored to Launch Next Year With These Features

Tuesday December 17, 2024 9:02 am PST by
The current Apple TV 4K was released more than two years ago, so the streaming device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade soon. Fortunately, it was recently rumored that a new Apple TV will launch at some point next year. Below, we recap rumors about the next-generation Apple TV. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week reported that Apple has been working on its own combined Wi-Fi and...
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

Apple 'Working' on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited 'Fix'

Sunday December 15, 2024 8:43 am PST by
Apple is working on a redesigned Magic Mouse that will address some "longstanding complaints," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple in recent months has been working on a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse with a design that "better fits the modern era." However, he does not expect the new Magic Mouse to be released in the "next 12 to 18...
AirTag 2 Mock Feature

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

Sunday December 15, 2024 2:57 pm PST by
Apple plans to release a second-generation AirTag next year with "considerably" longer range for item tracking, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new AirTag will use Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, or equivalent technology. The chip debuted last year in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple said it offers up...
Apple TV 4K hero 221018 feature

Here is Everything New for the Apple TV in the tvOS 18.3 Update So Far

Tuesday December 17, 2024 6:25 am PST by
Apple on Monday seeded the first tvOS 18.3 beta to developers for testing. The update will likely be released in January. So far, there are only minor changes for the Apple TV, with one new feature and a few code changes discovered. Below, we outline what is new in tvOS 18.3 so far. Robot Vacuum Support in Home App First, tvOS 18.3 will add robot vacuum support to the Home app on the...

Top Rated Comments

mystery hill Avatar
42 months ago
Digitimes, Prosser, Gurman: 'Apple will release a new iPhone next year.'
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dantracht Avatar
42 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
42 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
42 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
42 months ago
My gen 1's need a worthy successor, let these be it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
geotbozo Avatar
42 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)