Apple likely to discontinue wired EarPods

| Samaa Web Desk Sep 09, 2024

Photo: Online

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Apple is set to announce on September 9 its latest lineup, including the iPhone 16 series, the Apple Watch Series 10, and possibly some new designs for AirPods and AirPods Max.

Speculation is also high that the tech giant will soon discontinue its wired EarPods. This is with fresh reports hinting at what amounts to an era in which the signature wired earbuds of Apple are done.

Aaron Perris writes on X, via MacRumors: major US retailer Target has listed all three variants of the EarPods-Lightning, 3.5mm, and USB-C models as "Non-Carry Forward."

Ordinarily, this would mean products that will be phased out, and it has naturally created wide speculation that Apple might officially discontinue its EarPods.

But the timing of this unmasking couldn't be more apt, with Apple readying for its most-awaited "It's Glowtime" event. While no official word has been said regarding the timeline on which the EarPods would be discontinued, this speculation does ring a bell following the timeline of upcoming product launches and hints that the end for the EarPods might just be near.

The EarPods launched back in 2012, were intended to be a new-in-box standard for iPhones and iPods, leaving the old-style circular earbuds to retire. When Apple no longer fitted iPhones with a headphone jack, starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, it introduced a version of the EarPods with a Lightning connector to let users still plug in wired earbuds.

Starting with the iPhone 15 series last year, Apple began the transition to USB-C, and along with it came a new USB-C version of the EarPods. But if rumours are to be believed, it may have just marked the beginning of the end of the affordable, and quite surprisingly good-mic-containing, EarPods.

Besides the rumour of EarPods, there is word about other gadgets Apple will unveil. Of course, the highly-awaited Apple Watch Ultra 3 is not going to be announced, while the company is expected to re-launch the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black instead. Besides that, it is said that the plastic-made Apple Watch SE, which was expected to use plastic instead of aluminium for its casings, has been delayed.