On October 30, 2019, Apple launched AirPods Pro, a set of ‘higher-end’ Bluetooth earbuds. Being marketed as mid-range wireless earbuds from Apple, they were an improved version of the AirPods but the quality was not as premium as the one AirPods Max, the highest-end earphones by the company. AirPods were quickly lapped up by those who wanted better sound than the kind offered by the AirPods but weren’t willing to pay the price the AirPods Max was available in.
Now, fourteen months after Apple released the first-generation AirPods Pro, it is gearing up to launch the second-generation version of the device. While an official confirmation from the company is awaited, recently released reports suggest that the tech giant is aiming to launch the second-generation AirPods Pro towards the end of the spring season.
Speculations began when it was discovered that Apple placed fresh orders for the delivery of a large number of flash drives from a supplier. These flash drives will, reportedly, be used while manufacturing the audio accessories.
According to industry sources of the publication DigiTimes, Winbond Electronics gained from a robust pull-in of brief lead-time orders which is now keeping its production capacity busy. These orders are most likely for NOR flash memory that will eventually be used in Apple’s AirPods line. While the report doesn’t specify which model will these components be used for, it suggests that it would be for a new model. The reports also state that Winbond Electronics will be one of the major NOR flash suppliers for the next-generation AirPods Pro.
Because of the high-volume order placed by Apple, Winbond Electronics is expected to run at almost full production capacity for at least six months of the year. While it is known that the company is dealing with a large number of orders, it is yet to be known as to how many of these orders have been placed by Apple. The number, however, is expected to be very high.
It must be noted that while DigiTimes has a very good reputation when it comes to supply chain rumors, the same cannot be said about the ‘unverified’ news it publishes about models and features of electronic products.
According to rumors and reports that have surfaced recently, the second-generation AirPods Pro could be launched in the month of April. There are also strong rumors about the AirPods Pro Lite seeing a launch for itself in the first half of 2021.