Kuo: AirPods with wireless charging due in 2019, overhauled model in 2020

Apple is on rails to liberate its second-generation wireless earbuds with back upwards for the Qi charging measure inwards the commencement one-half of adjacent year, acre an upgraded couplet of AirPods rocking an all-new pattern too other perks is slated for liberate around fourth dimension inwards 2020.

That’s according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s annotation to clients, seen past times AppleInsider too MacRumors, with his updated predictions for Apple’s earphones. While the 2019 model should select pocket-size upgrades, such equally back upwards for Qi wireless charging too Bluetooth 5.0 for extended range, the 2020 model is seen equally having “an all-new design,” inwards add-on to such perks equally an “innovative user experience” too a “high integration with iOS too Mac products.”

He called AirPods Apple’s almost pop accessory ever.

Moreover, the interrogation annotation mentions that a novel charging illustration for the upcoming AirPod models volition piece of occupation a 60% pricier stiff flexible printed circuit board too adopt a redesigned hinge to back upwards appearance changes too higher thermal requirements.

Here’s the gist:

AirPods 2

• Wireless charging: Yes


• Bluetooth 5.0: Yes


• Apple wireless chip: Yes


• More extended range: Yes


• Hey Siri: No


• Noise cancellation: No


• Sweat resistance: No


• New design: No


• Release date: commencement one-half of 2019

Both models should run Apple’s W-series wireless chip.

AirPods 3

• Wireless charging: Yes


• Bluetooth 5.0: Yes


• Apple wireless chip: Yes


• More extended range: Yes


• Hey Siri: Yes


• Noise cancellation: Yes


• Sweat resistance: Yes


• New design: Yes


• Release date: around fourth dimension inwards 2020

Here’s an excerpt from the note:

We attribute AirPods’ dramatic growth (14–16, 26–28, 50–55, 70–80 too 100–110 meg units inwards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 too 2021, respectively) to:

1) upgraded model with wireless charging back upwards to produce goodness shipments, due inwards 1Q19;

2) all-new pattern model to boost replacement need to launch inwards 1Q20;

3) innovative user experience; and

4) high integration with iOS too Mac products.

In summary, AirPods is Apple’s almost pop accessory ever, too it currently has the best growth momentum amongst Apple products.

It should live on noted that Kuo has non been e'er right with AirPods predictions because he previously said second-generation AirPods would debut inwards the 2nd one-half of 2018.

As AppleInsider observed, the second-generation AirPods model may live on zero to a greater extent than than Apple’s already-announced wireless charging illustration for the earbuds. The analyst did non update his predictions for Apple’s elusive multi-device AirPower charging mat, however.

The AirPower charging mat is soundless MIA

As a final result of the aforementioned updates, AirPods should sell an estimated 55 million, lxxx meg too 110 meg units units inwards 2019, 2020 too 2021, respectively, marker a(n) (unrealistically) huge growth over an estimated 16 meg units sold inwards 2017.

In Kuo’s mind, there are “great potential growth opportunities” for AirPods due to the fact that fewer than v per centum of iPhone users ain them too specially taking into draw concern human relationship Apple’s massive base of operations of over a billion iPhone users worldwide.

Apple is also expected to release a novel HomePod too a brand-new studio-quality over-ear headphone during 2019, according to a June study from Bloomberg.

Photo: PowerPod wireless charging illustration for AirPods

Share this post