Apple aiming for affordable $99 AirPods, working on new AirPods Max
Apple will reportedly begin shipping its second-generation AirPods Max headphones and new $99 AirPods as early as next year.Â
TF International Securities’ Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in tweets that Apple will begin mass shipping the new $99 AirPods in the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025.Â
The new AirPods would be cheaper than the second generation AirPods, which at $129, are the cheapest option currently available. The third generation cost $179 with the MagSafe charging case, while the new AirPods Pro cost $279.
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Via MacRumors, another analyst this month said Apple was working on lower cost AirPods to better compete with cheaper rivals. Â
Kuo didn’t offer any more details about the new AirPods Max beyond the possible shipping timeframe. Apple released its high-end AirPods Max in 2020 for $549.Â
Apple might ship the AirPods Max with a USB-C port in order to comply with Europe’s incoming directive that says all small electronic devices will require a USB-C port. The common USB-C charger will be required for all phones and other smaller devices sold in the EU from October 2024.