Apple is allegedly working on new budget-friendly AirPods

Apple's AirPods are undoubtedly great, but they are on the pricey side. For example, the AirPods 3, which Apple released back in 2021, start at $169. This is a price tag that many people might find too expensive. But according to a new rumor, Apple might be working on a new pair of AirPods specifically designed for those who don't want to pay a premium price for new earphones.

In a note seen by 9to5Mac, analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong Intl Tech Research claims that Apple is working on new earphones named "AirPods Lite." According to the analyst, these new AirPods will be a "lower priced product" designed to rival budget-friendly earbuds.

Unfortunately, Pu doesn't give any other information regarding these new Apple earphones. So, we can't tell you what features the AirPods Lite might have or what their price might be. However, since Apple is currently offering its AirPods 2 for $129, the AirPods Lite's price might be lower than that.

In his note, Jeff Pu also predicts a drop in AirPods demand by 2023. Based on his industry sources, Pu states that AirPods shipments are expected to drop from 73 million units in 2022 to 63 million in 2023. According to him, some of the reasons behind the expected decline are the decreased demand for the AirPods 3 and the fact that we might not see new AirPods this year.