Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said on Twitter today that Apple plans to release the second-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of 2022. While the second-generation AirPods are still available for purchase since Apple released the third-generation AirPods last year, Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple may discontinue the original AirPods Pro when the new AirPods Pro is released later this year.
Apple announced the launch of the AirPods Pro on October 30, 2019, and its life cycle is approaching two and a half years. He also said demand for third-generation AirPods was “significantly weaker” than second-generation AirPods, leading Apple to reduce orders for third-generation AirPods by at least 30% from suppliers in the second to third quarters of this year.
AirPods 3 orders for 2-3Q22 have been cut by 30%+. Due to the failed product segmentation strategy, demand for AirPods 3 is significantly weaker than for AirPods 2. AirPods Pro may get discontinued after Apple launches AirPods Pro 2 in 2H22 to avoid repeating the same mistake.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) April 5, 2022
The analyst has previously claimed that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a “significantly upgraded” wireless chip over the original AirPods Pro’s H1 chip. The chip powers audio-related features like active noise cancellation, and improvements to the technology could improve battery life and allow for longer listening times per charge. He also expects that the new AirPods Pro will support Apple Music’s lossless audio.