Apple reportedly working on a more affordable AirPods model

Apple is said to be working on a lower-cost AirPods model named AirPods Lite, or AirPods SE.

This move is said to be taken because the demand for AirPods is projected to drop in 2023 because of weak demand for the AirPods 3.

Apple is also expected to ship 10 million fewer AirPods units this year as compared to 2022. According to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Haitong International Securities, AirPods shipments are expected to fall from 73 million in 2022 to 63 million in 2023. This might happen as a result of the company's decision not to release the newest AirPods this year, according to the report.

Previously, Nikkei had reported that Apple ordered its suppliers to shift certain AirPods and Beats headphone manufacturing to India.

The decision was taken as Apple sought to progressively diversify its manufacturing from China in order to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions.

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