Upgraded AirPods for 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today issued a pair of notes to investors covering the availability of AirPods and the possibility for a revision to the hardware in the second half of 2018.

Since their launch in 2016 Apple struggled to keep up with demand for AirPods. Even so, Kuo estimates that AirPod shipments will experience 100 percent growth and reach 28 million units in 2018.

Kuo didn't offer up any details regarding the design or feature set for the revised AirPods other than that they will include a "smaller quartz component". Kuo also stated they could have a higher average selling price.

Currently manufactured by Inventec, Apple has also recruited Luxshare to manufacture AirPods. Additionally, it's believed that a constraint in the supply of the RF printed-circuit boards for AirPod batteries are one reason why Apple can't meet the demand.

Next year Apple are launching the AirPower mat that is capable of charging an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously. Current AirPods required the new inductive charging case, whilst it's possible you'll be able to buy a skew of the AirPods that include the new charging case.