Apple to Introduce Entry-Level AirPods Lite TWS Earphones in H2 2024, Analyst Says

Apple is also said to be planning to launch the second generation AirPods Max headphones that will succeed the model that arrived in December 2020.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 2 April 2024 14:09 IST

Apple to Introduce Entry-Level AirPods Lite TWS Earphones in H2 2024, Analyst Says

Photo Credit: Apple

Previous reports suggest that Apple is also working on two fourth generation AirPods models

Highlights

Apple could launch a new pair of affordable AirPods later this year
The purported AirPods Lite are likely to debut in the second half of 2024
The firm might also launch AirPods (4th generation) models this year

Apple could launch AirPods Lite — a more affordable version of its truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones — later this year, alongside the second generation over the ears AirPods Max headphones, according to an investor note from a market analyst. Previous reports have also suggested that Apple is working on cheaper AirPods models alongside refreshed versions of the standard AirPods and AirPods Max, while the company is yet to disclose any plans to launch new wireless earphone models this year.

According to an investor note issued by Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu seen by 9to5Mac, the iPhone maker will launch a cheaper AirPods Lite model in H2 2024. Apple is also planning to launch a new AirPods Max model later this year, to succeed the first-generation model that was introduced in December 2020, according to Pu, who didn't provide any details on how much the device could cost, or what features it would offer.

Production of AirPods is expected to increase during the second half of the year, the analyst reportedly stated in the research note that also predicts a “muted demand for existing models” will result in the volume of the company's TWS earphones falling to 55 million units this year — a drop of 4 percent year-on-year (YoY).

New Apple iPad Pro, iPad Air Models Could be Launched Soon: Report

Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was preparing its "biggest AirPods launch to date". The Cupertino firm is expected to launch the successor to the AirPods (3rd generation) in two models codenamed B768(E) and B768(M) — the E and M are said to stand for “entry” and “mid-tier”, respectively, and the latter could arrive with support for more features, such as active noise cancellation and external speakers for improved Find My support.

There's no word on whether Apple will launch two new fourth generation AirPods models in addition to the rumoured AirPods Lite, or whether the cheaper AirPods 4 model could make its debut as the purported entry level AirPods Lite. Earlier reports suggest a third generation AirPods Pro is expected to arrive in H2 2025 with an improved H3 chip and a new earbud design. More details on the company's upcoming AirPods models are likely to surface in the coming months, before they are rumoured to make their debut.

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Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design / Comfort
Audio Quality
Battery Life
Value For Money

Good
Comfortable fit, good controls
MagSafe wireless charging
Works well with iOS, Siri, and Apple Music
Good battery life
Very good sound quality and performance on calls

Bad
Expensive
Lack of noise isolation can be bothersome
Full feature set needs an iOS device to use

Read detailed Apple AirPods (3rd generation) True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphones review

Colour White

Headphone Type In-Ear

Microphone Yes

Connectivity True Wireless Stereo (TWS)

Type Earphones

More Apple Headphones & Headset

Comments

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Further reading: AirPods Lite, AirPods 4, AirPods, Jeff Pu, Apple

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More