New Low-Cost Apple AirPods Expected in 2024, to be Made in India: Report

Apple is likely to unveil multiple new AirPods models towards the end of 2024, according to multiple reports over the past few weeks. It now seems likely that there will also be a new entry-level model, priced to take on competition in this increasingly commoditised product segment. More interestingly, the new AirPods will be manufactured by Foxconn at its facilities in India, as per Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, via MacRumours.

Currently, Apple still sells its second-generation AirPods, first released just over five years ago. The pair are officially priced at Rs. 12,900 in India, although they are frequently discounted by third-party retailers. They serve as Apple’s lowest-cost option, with the third-generation model officially priced at Rs. 19,900 or Rs. 20,900 with a MagSafe wireless charging case. Both are tipped to be replaced by new fourth-gen models, with a refreshed design.

It is possible that this latest report of a new entry-level pair of AirPods refers to the lower-priced of the two planned fourth-gen models, but it could also be an entirely new pair that will target an even lower price point. The purported ‘AirPods Lite’ or ‘AirPods SE’ could hit the market at a lower price in India as they would be manufactured locally, but would still be relatively expensive compared to options currently flooding the Indian market priced well under Rs. 2,000.

The previously-rumoured models will likely introduce a new design with shorter stalks and better in-ear fit. Their charging cases will almost certainly have USB Type-C ports instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. Wireless charging might remain optional, or be offered as standard with the higher-priced model. It has also been reported that the higher-priced model will feature active noise cancelling, which has so far been restricted to Apple’s more expensive AirPods Pro offerings.

No such shakeup is expected at the higher end of the lineup. The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) was refreshed just a year after launch in September 2023, with a USB Type-C port and IP54 rating, so another new model is not expected anytime soon. On the other hand, the AirPods Max has not been updated at all since it was first launched in December 2020. Apple is also expected to release a slightly modified version this year, with a USB Type-C port and possibly new colour options, but no significant feature or sound quality improvements.

Apple has also added features to the AirPods lineup using software updates in the past, and is likely to introduce a hearing aid mode with iOS 18 this September. However, older rumours of AirPods gaining advanced sensors and health tracking features have so far not been proven accurate.