Apple has only just launched the AirPods 2 and rumours about the next generation AirPods aka AirPods 3 are already beginning to surface. DigiTimes, who have a semi-accurate track record when it comes to Apple leaks and now out of nowhere they have stated that Apple will launch the AirPods 3 later on this year, contradicting previous rumours about a 2020 launch.
DigiTimes states that Apple is preparing to release its third generation AirPods for sale by the end of 2019. The new wireless earphones will feature noise cancelling and Taiwan’s Inventec will be the major assembly partner of the AirPods 3. Industry sources have informed them that China’s Luxshare Precision will also take on part of the orders for the upcoming AirPods.
The latest report claims that Apple aims to fend off competition from its true wireless rivals by incorporating the noise cancelling function in its third generation AirPods. However, with this feature in tow, there could be an altered design and assembly challenges.
The report states, “The sources said that noise cancellation is not a new technology, but a technology hard to harness. On the one hand, semiconductor devices can hardly work without suffering electromagnetic disturbance, and on the other hand, how the structural design of the noise forward feedback microphone can be done well to achieve harmonious operation with other devices is a great challenge for designers and assemblers.
In addition, earphones with the noise-cancellation function will consume more power than those without, and it remains to be seen how Apple will do to reduce power consumption, the sources indicated.”
Inventek is said to be well positioned to take on the production challenges of the AirPods 3 as they have extensive product assembly experiences; giving them a better chance of winning assembly orders from Apple in comparison Luxshare Precision.
Apart from the noise cancelling feature, the new AirPods could also feature improved water resistance in comparison to the AirPods 2 as they will be able to hold up to splashes of water and rain.
