Apple is gearing up to introduce more affordable AirPods later this year, as indicated by analyst Jeff Pu, who specializes in tracking Apple's supply chain. According to Pu's research note with Haitong International Securities, a Foxconn subsidiary will play a significant role as one of the suppliers for these budget-friendly AirPods. Manufacturing of AirPods is expected to increase at a Foxconn-operated factory in India by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Previous reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested that Apple is planning to unveil two variants of fourth-generation AirPods in September or October, comprising entry-level and mid-tier models.
These new AirPods iterations are anticipated to feature a redesigned form factor for better comfort, enhanced audio quality, and updated charging cases with USB-C ports. Additionally, the mid-tier model is likely to boast active noise cancellation and a speaker for Find My location tracking.
Although it remains unclear whether the lower-cost AirPods align with the entry-level fourth-generation AirPods, there's a plausible connection.
Looking ahead, Pu anticipates that Apple will also introduce refreshed AirPods Max in the fourth quarter of 2024. Gurman's earlier reports hinted at the sole addition of a USB-C charging port for the over-ear headphones, with the potential for new color options to be introduced as well.
