Due to the wide variety of AirPods models that are offered at various price points, Apple has had the biggest market share in the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) sector in Q3 2022. Even still, according to one claim, a pair of AirPods Lite are being prepared to provide the general public an even more cheap option and to spark some fierce rivalry.
For a few years now, there have been reports about the release of AirPods Lite. Analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Securities wants to reignite the rumor’s fire and add additional fuel, according to a research note viewed by 9to5Mac, even if it has been doused in gasoline for some time. The second-generation AirPods, which are Apple’s least cost in-ear device and retail for $129, are Pu’s prediction that these would target the price-competitive market.
The AirPods 3 are available next for $169. We may infer from these pricing that the AirPods Lite will be available for less than $129 at launch. When compared to the second-generation AirPods, which often sell for as little as $99.99 and sometimes even touch $79.99, it is unknown what pricing Apple plans to set for the AirPods Lite, should they ever really go on sale. Given that Apple is a premium brand that sells high-end products, we are unsure of the features that will be removed from this device when it is released.
The least Apple could do to reduce the cost of production is to gradually phase out the second-generation AirPods while using the AirPods 3 design. The AirPods Lite is not allowed to include features like Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, MagSafe charging, or any IP certification in order to keep the price below $129. However, it must keep wearing Apple’s distinctive H1, which we believe was the main selling feature of the whole product portfolio and enables easy connection with an iPhone or iPad.
It’s also likely that Apple would abandon the AirPods Lite project because it thinks the device suffers from severe cost-cutting and lacks sufficient value. In any event, we will update our readers as soon as we learn more about these wireless earbuds.