It has been rumored that Apple might release wirelessly charged AirPods in early 2019. Ming-Chi Kuo, a famous Apple rumors reporter, revealed this information. There hasn’t been an exact date as to when the new AirPods will be released.
Kuo revealed that there might be other features added to the AirPods as well. Apple might update to a newer Bluetooth version, possibly Bluetooth version 5.0, and upgrade to a new W-series chip. Kuo suggests that there will be design changes as well.
The design changes include a more heat-resistant hinge. These new changes will cost more, but Kuo isn’t sure if Apple will raise the AirPods’ prices.
Apple did unveil the AirPower Mat over a year ago but hasn’t given any updates since. It’s feared that the new AirPods might meet a similar fate. The AirPower Mat was to be released simultaneously with the AirPods.
Technical issues prevented the AirPower Mat from being released sooner. It seems like the AirPods might be released on their own. There might be a whole new upgraded version of the AirPods coming in 2020.
These AirPods were rumored to have “all-new design.”Apple was also rumored to be working on water-resistant AirPods that should come out in 2019 at the earliest. It is unclear if Kuo is referencing these AirPods or some other version.
Kuo also expects a “high integration with iOS and Mac products” and an “innovative user experience.” Kuo expects the AirPods to perform really well. He expects that more people will start to appreciate AirPods than they currently do.
A Large number of people will start to adopt AirPods, even more than iPhone upgrades. The estimated sale numbers of 16 million and 28 million in 2016 and 2017 respectively are nothing short of spectacular.
But Kuo estimates that the sales will reach exponential levels over the coming years. Kuo estimates that in 2019, 2020, and 2021 will reach 55 million, 80 million, and 110 million units respectively.
The reason for such high numbers is that Apple will only continue to become more popular with each year. Other smartphones have already adopted the lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Every phone manufacturer is taking the wireless route.
When the idea of a smartphone without a 3.5mm headphone jack was first suggested, everyone lost their mind. The world wasn’t prepared for what was to come. No one had imagined that a smartphone would function without a 3.5 mm jack.
Admittedly I still prefer my smartphones to have a 3.5 mm headphone jack. I just think having a 3.5 mm headphone jack is more convenient. But people have started getting along with the times. When the AirPods were first launched everyone including some diehard Apple fanboys made fun of the design.
Wearing AirPods in public seemed like such a cringe-worthy thing. There was also the fear of dropping and losing them. But everyone adopted the trend with time. No one makes fun of them anymore.
AirPods have become a luxury now, and they offer good sound in my opinion. Let’s just see how the new wirelessly charged AirPods would sound. They seem to offer much more convenience, at least on paper.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Fazeel Ashraf
Muhammad Nouman Sarwar
