With countless rumours from various sources appearing to confirm the bold claim that Apple will be ditching the headphone jack for the next iPhone, KGI analyst Ming Chi Kuo is at it again with another new product to be launched alongside the new iPhone 7: a pair of premium wireless earphones.
The earphones are set to be called AirPods, which Apple has already filed for copyright recently. It is said to be a premium pair of wireless earphones that does not use Bluetooth. Instead, it will run off a proprietary chip that is “Bluetooth-like”, but with added features that may involve Apple’s other efforts in the IoT and smart car space.
The analyst also gave an insight into the positioning of the AirPods. Apple is said to position the AirPods as a high-end accessory, which will be placed higher than the current range of Beats wireless earphones – those will now be “mainstream” level products.
Naturally, this would also mean the AirPods will not be bundled together with the new iPhone 7. Instead, the standard EarPods will remain in each box, while a new Lightning to 3.5mm port will be included.
Apple is widely expected to announce its new iPhone later tonight Malaysia time.
(Source: Apple Insider, Featured Image: mock design by Effah Hanie)
