A well known Apple analyst with a mixed track record has predicted that Apple could launch a new audio product as soon as this year. The company is said to be capitalizing on the popularity of the AirPods with a branded over-the-ear headphone that it could launch later this year. This, according to famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities.
Kuo predicts in a note to investors that Apple is going to launch a branded high-end over-the-year headphone with an “all new” design later this year as it seeks to expand its audio products lineup. While Kuo didn’t provide a specific launch timeline, he does say that it’s unlikely for Apple to launch this product before the fourth quarter of this year.
The idea behind this product, according to the analyst, is that Apple wants to provide customers with a product that’s as convenient as the AirPods but has better acoustic qualities. This suggests that the new audio product might feature wireless connectivity.
Apple’s branded over-the-ear headphones are said to be more expensive than the AirPods but that would have been expected in the first place. Apple is expected to integrate high-quality audio components inside this product to improve performance.
Apple has obviously said nothing about its plans for the fourth quarter of the year so it can’t be said for sure right now if the company really is going to launch branded over-the-ear headphones. We’ll have to wait and see if that happens. Expect to hear more reports and predictions about this product down the line.
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