Apple 'AirPods Pro Lite' More Likely A New 'Beats' Model, Kuo Says

While previous reports make mention of a new AirPods model called the AirPods Pro Lite as being readied for release sometime in 2020, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple won't be releasing a new AirPods variant this year save for the high-end over-ear model.

In a new investor note (seen by 9To5Mac), Kuo shared some doubt about the said AirPods Pro Lite model that Taiwanese publication Digitimes has been reporting about. The analyst said the new AirPods Pro Lite might not be an actual AirPods model, but a new offering from the Beats lineup.

Kuo added that new AirPods and AirPods Pro models are on the way, but they won't be arriving anytime this year.

New AirPods models

The famed analyst said Apple does plan on releasing a new AirPods model this year, but it won't be the AirPods Pro Lite that was the subject of many reports recently. He said the Cupertino tech giant will be releasing the highly anticipated high-end over-ear model this year, adding that the new premium headphone will enter mass production in mid-2020.

This pair of over-ear headphones, as per Bloomberg, is expected to come in two variants: a luxurious model that uses leather fabrics, and a model that uses lighter fabrics. This audio accessory features swappable parts.

As for the new truly wireless stereo earbuds models, Kuo said Apple will start producing new AirPods and AirPods Pro models next year. He said he expects the third-gen AirPods to start production in the first half of 2021.

Kuo said the third-gen AirPods model will use the same production process as that of the AirPods Pro. He didn't give any details about it, but the production process implies that the new model will feature the same external design as that of the AirPods Pro. This could very well be the AirPods Pro Lite.

The TF International Securities analyst added that Apple will work on a second-generation AirPods Pro model, and will start mass producing it late in 2021 or early in 2022. That said, AirPods Pro fans shouldn't expect to see a new AirPods Pro model within a year from now.