Apple is reportedly getting ready to unveil new AirPods later this year and a new version of the AirPods Pro in 2022, according to a media report, in an effort to boost its wearable device business.
First reported by Bloomberg, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant will unveil its latest version of the entry-level AirPods with a new case and shorter stems.
The new design of the popular wireless headphone, first introduced in September 2016, is expected to be similar to the more-expensive AirPod Pros.
The new version of the AirPods Pro will have motion sensors to enable better fitness tracking. AirPods retail for $159 with a charging case and $199 with a wireless charging case. AirPods Pro retail for $249.
In the company’s most recent quarter, its wearable, home and accessories segment accounted for $7.8 billion in revenue, up from $6.2 billion in the same quarter the year prior.
Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.
Apple may introduce a new version of the AirPods later this year with a design similar to the more expensive AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro may get updated in 2022, with more focus on fitness tracking then the previous version
Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the company’s accessories segment will do better as more people shop in retail stores
On the company’s most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook reiterated his stance that the accessories segment, which includes AirPods, should do better as more people venture to retail stores and try them on.
‘I think it will take some amount of time, but my view would be as the stores get back up to speed, fully up to speed, we should be able to increase some of the accessory sales,’ Cook said.
The report comes just days after NBA superstar Lebron James was spotted wearing the as yet unreleased wireless earbuds. A source familiar with the matter told DailyMail.com that James was given one of the first pairs of the new earbuds under the Beats brand.
Official pricing information for those remains unclear, but for comparison, the Powerbeats Pro regularly go for $199.
Apple acquired Beats Electronics in 2014 in a $3 billion deal with the company’s founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine. James was also an investor in Beats, reportedly owning a one percent stake.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
