New AirPods Pro could arrive in the second half of 2021

Apple has been working on the next generation of AirPods Pro for a while now, according to numerous sources. And now, according to a new report, the Cupertino tech giant is planning to launch its next-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of 2021

Next-generation AirPods Pro could be coming in 2021

According to DigiTimes, the new Pro variant could include light sensors, which could be useful for features that will allow users to monitor their health. If these sensors are added in the new model, health-monitoring features from like step counting and heart rate monitoring could be coming to the next-generation AirPods Pro. Other details about the new earbuds are still unclear.

Sources mentioned by DigiTimes also claim that the new earbuds will be produced in part by supplier Inventec Appliances in Vietnam, along with current-generation ‌AirPods Pro manufacturers Luxshare and GoerTek.

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously stated that Apple is working on the second-generation of the Pro earbuds. And according to Kuo, the wireless earbuds will go into mass production in late 2021 to early 2022, meaning there will be ‌AirPods Pro‌ refresh in 2020 or early 2021. This release date corroborates DigiTimes’ timeline.

AirPods 3

Apple is also working the third-generation version of the lower-end ‌AirPods, according to rumors. It is expected that the new model will be released in the first half of 2021. As stated by Min-Chi Kuo, these entry-level AirPods will feature similar shape and design to the more feature-rich Pro variant.

Apple will also switch the third-generation ‌AirPods‌ to a complex system-in-package chip solution, which will replace the current surface mount technology the device uses. By shifting to chip packaging technology, the product could bring innovative features enjoyed by owners of the AirPods Pro to other users at a more affordable price point.

With the announcement of iOS 14, all variants of the AirPods have received new features. The AirPods Pro will now feature spatial audio, Motion API, headphones accommodations, automatic device switching, and battery notifications. Whereas, only automatic device switching and battery notifications will be available for first and second-generation AirPods.