Apple’s third-generation AirPods have not been performing as well as expected, according to a report Bloomberg. The company is reportedly planning to phase out the third-gen model along with the second-gen model next year and introduce two fourth-gen variants.
According to the report, the $169 AirPods 3 have “haven’t sold particularly well” compared to the more affordable second-gen AirPods 2 or the premium AirPods Pro, which costs $249 and comes with the latest features.
While the AirPods 3 offer benefits such as sweat resistance and support for Apple’s spatial audio, these features have not been enough to convince buyers to pay the extra $40. Apple has not commented on the report.
One possible reason for the less-than-stellar sales of the AirPods 3 could be the redesigned fit. Some reviewers and consumers have complained that the new design doesn’t stay in their ears as well as the AirPods 2. However, others have said that the AirPods 3 fit better.
For those who struggle to find a comfortable fit with the AirPods, the AirPods Pro with silicone tips could be a better option. However, overall, Apple’s AirPods still dominate the wireless headphone market, making up 31.8% of the market share in 2022.
But Apple is planning to revamp its wireless headphone lineup. Next year, both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 will be replaced with two newly designed fourth-generation models that combine features from the third-gen AirPods and the Pro model. These new models may also come with USB-C charging, similar to the iPhone 15 and the second-gen AirPods Pro. Updates for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max will also be released in the future.
In the meantime, Apple is still offering the older generation AirPods for those who are looking for a more affordable option.