KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will launch upgraded AirPods in the second half of 2018. The upgraded version of AirPods will include a “smaller quartz” component.
The second-generation AirPods will continue to be assembled by Taiwanese manufacturer Inventec, and the individual components supplied by companies such as Unitech, Compeq, TXC, and HLJ. Though Kuo mentioned that the new AirPods will have a smaller quartz component, details about the new component are unknown at the moment.
Along with the new AirPods, Apple is also said to be releasing a new inductive AirPods charging case that will allow the AirPods to be charged with Apple’s new AirPower charging mat. The AirPower mat was first announced at the iPhone X event back in September and will launch sometime in 2018.
Kuo also believes that the AirPods shipments will double in 2018 to 26-28 million units on a year-over-year basis.
Ming-Chi Kuo in the latest research note has said:
Media reports over the past few days on brisk AirPods demand and Apple struggling to keep up with holiday season demand align with our findings and positive predictions on AirPods in several previous reports.
In 2018, we predict AirPods shipments will grow 100% YoY to 26-28mn units. We forecast the ASP of RFPCB for upgraded AirPods in 2H18 may increase, further benefiting business momentum of Unitech and Compeq.