Taiwanese supplier ASE Technology has started production of optical sensors for next generation AirPods scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2021, according to industry sources cited in a paywalled DigiTimes forecasting history today.
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The full report has not yet been published, so there is no further details at the moment, but the timeline aligns with information shared by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who earlier this month said that third generation AirPods will go into production in mass in the third quarter of the year. The quarter runs from July to September.
Kuo said earlier that third generation AirPods would be launched in the first half of 2021, and a series of leaked photos and renderings certainly made it appear that the launch was imminent, but it no longer seems to be the case.
Third generation AirPods are expected to have a design similar to that of AirPods Pro, including shorter rods, but without silicone ear tips or active noise cancellation, allowing for a lower price. Second generation AirPods cost $ 159 with a wired charging case or $ 199 with a wireless charging case, while AirPods Pro cost $ 249.
Apple launched second generation AirPods in March 2019, followed by AirPods Pro in October 2019.