Next Generation AirPods Coming Next Year

 

2017 has been a massive year for AirPods but are Apple's wireless earbuds set to get a major refresh in 2018?

Well according to a leading Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities – yes!

According to him, Apple will be offering a new upgraded version of AirPods in the second half of 2018, most likely released alongside the next generation iPhone (9?).

Kuo expects that the AirPods 2 will have some smaller components but will be selling at a higher price than the current AirPods, which are on the market for £159.

Normally with Kuo’s predictions about up and coming iPhones he gives an array of potential new features that we are likely to expect, however he hasn’t gone into any more details regarding the next generation AirPods.

He also mentioned the current shortfall of AirPods on the market at this time saying –

“Media reports over the past few days on brisk AirPods demand and Apple struggling to keep up with holiday season demand align with our findings and positive predictions on AirPods in several previous reports.

In 2018, we predict AirPods shipments will grow 100% Year on Year to 26-28mn units. We forecast the ASP of RFPCB for upgraded AirPods in 2018 may increase, further benefiting business momentum of Unitech and Compeq.”

Kuo estimates that the AirPods shipments are likely to double in 2018 to 26 to 28 million units which suggests Apple will have sold 13 to 14 million AirPods worldwide by the end of 2017.