New year, new rumours: Analyst Jeff Pu from Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities has predicted two major changes to AirPods and the Apple Watch in 2024. Pu’s statements should be taken with a pinch of salt though: his track record of making predictions in the past has been mixed. Since his current forecasts have not yet been read by other sources, skepticism is appropriate.
AirPods SE?
With the AirPods, Pu expects a cheaper entry-level model. The wireless ear plugs should thus be able to gain further market share in competition with other manufacturers. He speaks of “AirPods Lite” in this regard, although some suspect that Apple would probably choose a different name such as “AirPods SE” for marketing. The currently cheapest AirPods are the second generation from 2019, which are available from Apple for 159 euros or occasionally cheaper. Apple is also selling the 3rd generation AirPods, the 2nd generation AirPods Pro and the over-ear headphones AirPods Max at higher prices.
With the Apple Watch, Pu opens a barrel that many considered closed after the Apple Watch Ultra was introduced. At the beginning of 2022 there was already talk of an Apple watch with a two-inch display. Since the larger Ultra presented in the fall comes close to this mark with its 1.92-inch display, many thought the rumor was over. But Pu disagrees: Apple is planning another high-end watch that will probably have a 2.1-inch display. Instead of an OLED display, micro-LED technology should be used, which makes it possible to achieve even higher brightness. Pu suspects this watch as a further development of the Apple Watch Ultra.
(mki)
