14 DAY TRIAL // There was a time when Apple was betting all-in on premium and super-expensive products, but the debut of the iPhone SE many years ago ended up becoming a turning point for the company.
The Cupertino-based tech giant therefore started investing in more affordable devices that help generate market share, and in many ways, help lure more customers into its ecosystem.
Most of these customers would have otherwise picked competing products – in the case of the iPhone SE buyers, all of them would have switched sides and gone for Android.
Now it looks like Apple is planning a new affordable product, this time in the form of cheaper AirPods. Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the device could launch in the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025, with Apple already planning a $99 price tag for the new AirPods.
“My latest survey indicates that Hon Teng (FIT) - a Hon Hai/Foxconn Group subsidiary - may be set to take over from Goertek as the new supplier for AirPods assembly. This move will bring significant benefits for Hon Teng,” the analyst explained in a series of tweets.
“The next-generation AirPods will likely begin mass shipments in 2H24 or 1H25, including more affordable AirPods (with Apple targeting a price of $99) and new AirPods Max, which will be assembled by Luxshare ICT and Hon Teng. AirPods assembly and Hon Hai's EV business/MIH Consortium will be two major growth drivers for Hon Teng in the coming years.”
Cheaper AirPods should help Apple get more market share in the budget earbud market, especially because the competition in this market is getting fiercer. Of course, the project can be dropped completely if something doesn’t work as planned, so don’t hold your breath for these cheaper AirPods to hit the shelves until their development reaches a more advanced stage.