‘AirPods Lite’ could be the cheap Apple earbuds we’ve been waiting for
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There’s nothing like a juicy Apple rumor to kick off 2023 in style, and the tech giant is rumored to be working on a set of cheaper AirPods to compete with cheaper wireless earbuds in 2023.
The news comes via analyst Jeff Pu, who claims – in a research note seen by 9to5Mac (opens in new tab) – that Apple is developing an “AirPods Lite” product to fit under the main AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max models.
The former have been succeeded in recent years by AirPods (2019), AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro 2 true wireless earbuds, but Apple hasn’t yet released an audio product designed to compete with the best budget wireless earbuds on the market.
Pu makes no mention of AirPods Lite pricing or features in its report, though it’s safe to assume that these supposedly entry-level AirPods would at least have a cheaper price tag than the AirPods 3 (currently retailing for $169/ £179 / €279).
Following the release of these third-generation earbuds in October 2021, Apple opted to keep their predecessors, the AirPods (2019), available to buy at the $129 / £139 / AU$219 markdown price – so we could see the AirPods Lite step in and replace these aging earbuds at a similar price.
If they are indeed in development, we’d also bet that Apple’s cheap AirPods will stick with the shorter design of the AirPods 3 – which, as above, would give Tim Cooks colossal reason to phase out the AirPods (2019) entirely – while omitting precious premium features like head-tracked personalized spatial audio and MagSafe charging.
The AirPods 3’s IPX4 water-resistance rating may also be a cost-cutting sacrifice for the AirPods Lite, though we’d expect the latter to retain the custom H1 chip that enables seamless iOS pairing across the entire AirPods range.
It’s worth noting that rumors of AirPods Lite earbuds first surfaced in 2019, with some outlets (opens in new tab) report that the AirPods Pro’s coin-shaped batteries may be used in future generations of lower-cost AirPods (which turned out to be the AirPods 3 in 2021).
Now, however, the AirPods Lite rumor mill seems to be ramping up again, and we’re expecting to hear more detailed rumblings about the price, features, and more general development of the earbuds in the coming months.
Analysis: A cheaper ‘AirPods Lite’ option could certainly benefit Apple given the cost of living crisis
The question of why Apple is preparing to step outside its typical premium product sphere is difficult to answer at this stage, though uninspiring AirPods sales forecasts may factor into the decision.
Pu’s report suggests that annual AirPods sales are expected to drop by 10 million in 2023 due to “soft demand for AirPods 3” and the expectation that Apple will not release new premium AirPods this year.
More generally, the demand for cheaper products looks set to increase in all consumer categories in 2023. For example, major streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max recently launched ad-supported subscription tiers in an effort to offer subscribers greater financial freedom despite the controversial nature of these packages.
Apple has always been the sharpest tool in the toolbox when it comes to turning a profit, and regardless of the company’s perceived premium reputation, the opportunity to capitalize on consumers’ desire for lower-priced audio products is too good to miss.