Waiting for an update to entry-level AirPods this year? You may not be lucky as you are unlikely to see an update until 2021.
That's according to Ming-Chi Kuo, an often quoted and often correct Apple analyst. According to their sources, third-generation AirPods, also known as AirPods 3, are likely to go into mass production in the first half of 2021.
No surprises
The new launch estimates seem reasonable. It's been a while since the 2019 AirPods review occurred, and it's too early for the recently launched AirPods Pro to take a look. With the world locked, it's arguable that headsets on the go are less purchase needed right now, let alone an upgrade.
According to Kuo, he would be looking for a refinement of the designs rather than a overhaul, with a move toward the system's internal technology in the package rather than the standard circuit boards. In theory, this could leave more room for battery upgrades.
What is perhaps more interesting is that Kuo cleans up the rumors about the fitness-focused rumors of the AirPods X and AirPods Pro Lite – it seems more likely in his estimates that these rumors are referring to upcoming Beats releases.