Apple will probably launch new AirPods in the second half of 2018
Apple AirPods are sold out on its online store until next year -- but the wireless earbuds may still get a major refresh in 2018.
A leading Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, released a memo on Tuesday predicting that Apple will offer a new version of AirPods in the second half of 2018. The rumor blog Apple Insider spotted the memo and reports that Kuo expects the earbuds to have some smaller components and a higher selling price. AirPods currently cost $159.
Unlike many of Kuo's predictions about Apple's forthcoming phones and batteries, he does not go into more detail about this particular rumor.
Kuo did address the current holiday shortfall in AirPods, and believes Apple is preparing to meet the massive demand for AirPods in 2018. He says shipments could double in 2018 to 28 million units.
Because the online Apple Store is sold out of AirPods during this year's holiday shopping season, it might appear Apple is still struggling to manufacture the earbuds in its Chinese factories. But Kuo believes the tech giant has solved most of its production woes. It probably won't be hard to find AirPods in 2018 -- and potentially even a new model of the earbuds.
Mark was the science editor at Mashable. After working as a ranger with the National Park Service, he started a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating people about the happenings on Earth, and beyond.
He's descended 2,500 feet into the ocean depths in search of the sixgill shark, ventured into the halls of top R&D laboratories, and interviewed some of the most fascinating scientists in the world.
