Apple Might Bundle AirPods With 2020 iPhones, Report Says

Apple might include AirPods with every 2020 iPhone shipped.

Apple's AirPods are without a doubt some of the best-selling truly wireless stereo headphones around. The latest and greatest model to date, the AirPods Pro, are even more successful and enjoy such great demand that analysts are predicting a shortage in supplies for Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Several analysts acknowledge the fact that the AirPods were key drivers in Apple's sales growth in the fourth quarter of the year. Apple knows that as well, and it appears that the company will try to use the AirPods' popularity as one of the potential selling points for next year's handsets.

According to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes (subscription), Apple is currently considering bundling AirPods with next year's iPhones. The report, citing industry sources, reveals that Cupertino isn't the only one thinking about such a thing: “smartphone vendors including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi are looking to bundle their new models with TWS earbuds next year,” the report said.

TWS earbuds, or truly wireless stereo earbuds, abound in the market. They include the likes of AirPods, AirPods Pro, Sony's excellent WF-1000XM3, Samsung's highly acclaimed Galaxy Buds, Klipsch's T5 True Wireless, Skullcandy's affordable Indy, Razer's low-latency Hammerhead True Wireless, House of Marley's eco-friendly Liberate Air, and Microsoft's delayed Surface Earbuds.

If DigiTimes' report proves true, then all 2020 iPhone buyers will get to enjoy wireless stereo convenience out of the box. MacRumors noted, however, that the publication has a hit-or-miss track record when it comes to Apple rumors, which means fans shouldn't hold their breath because it may or may not happen at all.

Furthermore, MacRumors emphasized that it is “pretty skeptical” about the report considering the price at which the AirPods are sold. At $159, the AirPods are costly and won't likely be included with every 2020 iPhone purchase, unless Apple decides to sell the upcoming handsets at more expensive prices.

That said, those who find the $999 iPhone 11 Pro expensive will even have to brace themselves for the possibility that 2020 iPhones will be even more pricey, even if they are bundled with the AirPods or not. Previous reports indicate that the 2020 iPhones' advanced features will cause selling prices to rise.