Back in October reports indicated that the successor to Apple’s regular second-gen AirPods will feature an in-ear design similar to the more premium AirPods Pro albeit without their signature active noise cancelation. Now, South Korean tech news media The Elec is backing up these claims and suggests the next AirPods will release in the first half of 2021.

Based on knowledge from industry insiders, the 3rd gen AirPods will feature the same design as the current AirPods Pro with Apple’s H1 chip at the core housed in a new system in a package (SiP) enclosure. The new rumor suggests the new AirPods will be 20% cheaper at launch than the current AirPods Pro’s $249 asking price which rounds out to around $200.

Quality tests for the new AirPods’ SiP area reportedly starting before the end of this year while their production is expected to start in early 2021. Past rumors also suggest the next iteration of the AirPods Pro will feature a rounder, stem-less makeover and more compact form factor.

Source (in Korean) | Via