Analyst says AirPods Lite, new AirPods Max are coming later this year

In a note to clients — as noted by 9to5Mac — analyst Jeff Pu says Apple will release new lower-cost “AirPods Lite” sometime during the second half of 2024. He adds that new AirPods Max units are coming later this year. 

This lines up with a January report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a In a series of tweets he saidApple’s next-generation AirPods will likely begin mass shipments in the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025. 

He said this will include more affordable AirPods (around US$99) as well as an updated AirPod Max. Currently, the second generation AirPods cost $129 and the third gen AirPods are $169 with a Lightning charging case and at $179 with a MagSafe case. 

Kuo offered no details on what he’s expecting with new AirPods Max, which was released in December 2020 and costs $549. However, MacRumors thinks that new features could include: customizability with interchangeable headbands and earcups; automatic left and right ear detection; touch pads on the earfuls for audio control; H2 processors; better noise cancellation; improved battery life; MagSafe charging; and a lower-pried, sports-oriented model.