Apple is Working on New High-End Over-Ear Headphones [Report]

Apple is working on updated AirPods and its 'own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones' with an 'all-new design', reports KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The new headphones could debut in the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest.

Apple to have own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones with all-new design; to be as convenient as AirPods with better sound quality; shipments to begin 4Q18F at earliest; Primax & SZS will be the key suppliers & will benefit from high ASPs. We believe that after AirPods and HomePod, Apple’s next addition will be high-end over-ear headphones, making its acoustic accessory lineup more complete. Existing suppliers Primax and SZS will be Apple’s partners on this new product. Primax will receive assembly orders on its familiarity with the acoustic business, and SZS is likely to use MIM technology advantages as leverage to become the exclusive or main MIM part supplier. The new headphones will be priced higher than AirPods and should help boost the business momentum of Primax as the assembly provider.

Kuo's report follows a recent one from Bloomberg which claimed that Apple is planning an upgrade to its popular AirPods which will bring support for 'Hey Siri' and a new wireless chip. The site said the new AirPods could launch this year.


We think the main difference of the upgraded AirPods, which won’t look much different from current AirPods, will be the wireless charging case and the adoption of an upgraded W1 chip. We believe that the charging case will adopt different processes for the external appearance and to meet thermal requirements from wireless charging, the hinge price will rise 60-80%.

Bloomberg also said the subsequent model, which could be released next year, is purportedly water resistant.

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