Skip to main content

Apple reportedly doubles AirPods Pro production; AirPods free with 2020 iPhones?

High demand for the AirPods Pro has reportedly pushed Apple to double production of the wireless earbuds, while the AirPods are said to be under consideration to be bundled with next year’s iPhones, according to separate reports.

Apple asked supplier Luxshare Precision to double production of the AirPods Pro to 2 million units per month in an attempt to meet the surging demand for the high-end earphones, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

Customers are clamoring to ensure their purchase of the AirPods Pro due to the mostly positive reviews for the accessory, including that of Digital Trends’ Caleb Denison, who described them as “a great set of compact, comfortable, and remarkably effective true wireless earbuds.”

The Nikkei Asian Review report also said that Apple asked Luxshare and Goertek, another Chinese manufacturer, to increase production of the regular AirPods at their facilities in Vietnam, but it was unclear by how much.

In a separate report, DigiTimes said that Apple, amid the continued popularity of the regular AirPods, is thinking about bundling the wireless earbuds with the 2020 iPhones. Other brands said to be considering bundles with truly wireless earbuds for their new smartphone models next year include Samsung and Xiaomi.

The report has drawn skepticism due to the regular starting price of $149 for the AirPods, which may be too high to be included as a free out-of-the-box accessory without raising the price tags of next year’s iPhones. In addition, DigiTimes has been hit-or-miss in its reports involving Apple.

However, there remains the possibility that Apple thinks it is time to replace the wired earphones that come with its iPhones. Bundling AirPods may happen for next year’s high-end models, though with 10 months to go before the 2020 iPhones, it will take a while before Apple confirms or debunks DigiTimes’ report.

For potential customers who are looking to buy the wireless earbuds now instead of waiting if they are bundled with the 2020 iPhones, Best Buy is currently offering discounts for the AirPods and AirPods 2 through Cyber Monday, but the retailer’s supply may run out first.

The AirPods Pro, however, are better than the AirPods in every way, so customers willing to spend $50 more should spring for Apple’s newest version of its wireless earbuds.

Editors' Recommendations

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
10 reasons you should buy an iPhone in 2024
Purple iPhone 14 (left) and a green iPhone 15 in hand.

The iPhone 15 lineup — which includes the standard iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro — is the iPhone at its best. It's the latest series of iPhones available today and the default choice if you're buying a new iPhone in 2024.

But it’s not the only choice of iPhones you can purchase. In fact, Apple still sells the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and the iPhone SE on its website. You could also find other iPhone models available – refurbished or new — from other retailers or carrier stores.

Read more
Apple’s new iPad Pro and iPad Air just got delayed
Someone holding an iPad Air against a wooden floor.

It seems like the countdown to the next iPad reveal has been stretched out a bit more, though not by an earth-shattering amount of time. So far, we’ve heard rumors of a late March or early April reveal, but that likely won’t happen, according to a new report from Apple insider Mark Gurman.

In his latest Bloomberg report, Gurman says the next Apple tablets should arrive in early May, and he cited the speeding up of production at Apple’s suppliers. Interestingly, production-related challenges apparently pushed back the launch of the new slates across the Pro and Air lineups.

Read more
We now know when Apple is adding RCS to the iPhone
The iPhone 14 Plus held in a man's hand.

Last November, Apple made a surprise announcement when it confirmed that RCS was coming to the iPhone in 2024. It's something iPhone and Android phone users alike have been waiting years for, but there was just one small problem: Apple never said when in 2024 RCS was coming. Thanks to Google, of all companies, we now have a better idea of when RCS is heading to the iPhone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Android website was recently updated with a new page dedicated to Google Messages. If you click on the "See more features" button for the section talking about RCS, there's a section titled "Better messaging for all" with the following text: "Apple has announced it will be adopting RCS in the fall of 2024. Once that happens, it will mean a better messaging experience for everyone."

Read more