'iPhone 12' predicted to ship without EarPods, will boost AirPods sales

Ming-Chi Kuo has chimed in on the "iPhone 12," and he thinks that Apple will leave out the EarPods accessory — a move which will ultimately boost AirPods adoption by consumers.

In a note to investors, TF Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo says that he believes that Apple will leave out the $29 Lightning EarPods when the "iPhone 12" ships to consumers. He isn't specific as to why Apple will take the action, but does note that it may dovetail with a promotion for AirPods of some sort.

Furthermore, Kuo sees AirPods demand in the short-term waning, because of larger economic conditions. This is only temporary, though, as he sees growth on the year.

Previously, he predicted about 85 million sets of AirPods shipping. He now sees about 94 million shipping on the year in total, across the entire range of devices.

On April 19, Jon Prosser stated that Apple had a third-generation AirPods refresh ready to go, contrary to what Kuo believes. On April 24, sources predicted that a new AirPods model would incorporate noise cancellation technology. Impact on the battery could be offset by Apple using the manufacturing process improvement to save space internally to to fit extra battery capacity.

This new report from Kuo doesn't mention health monitoring features coming. The AirPods have been long-rumored to get extra health features, however they may be planned for some later generation.

Kuo still sees no refresh of AirPods until 2021. While he does say that the market is expecting a refresh, he believes that the new Apple product is a set of Beats, and not AirPods.

72 Comments

entropys 4306 comments · 13 Years

About 4 years ago

Why do this? It would just generate extremely negative press. The EarPods cost next to nothing to manufacture, and the box is already designed.

unless of course there is no lightning port.

wattouk 50 comments · 5 Years

I'd welcome this as long as they leave a lightening to aux adapter. I get a new iPhone every year and have countless pairs of untouched EarPods in my drawers. Most people have a pair of aux headphones lying around but this would help push people towards AirPods which will push up sales even more.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

That makes sense to me....

I have seen my collection of earbuds growing and growing.

Essentially, at this point, almost everybody already has multiple sets of them. Plus, AirPods have essentially obsoleted these things.

So, why force people to buy something they don't need and don't want?

In my household they don’t last long.

Maybe include a voucher. $30 for EarPods, or $70 towards airpods. You choose. A real up sell.
it would be a sticker on the iPhone box so you can redeem voucher when purchased if you want.

gatorguy 24624 comments · 13 Years

GeorgeBMac said:

That makes sense to me....
I have seen my collection of earbuds growing and growing.
Essentially, at this point, almost everybody already has multiple sets of them. Plus, AirPods have essentially obsoleted these things.

So, why force people to buy something they don't need and don't want?

I don't think you are buying them.

The iPhone selling price would be the same with or without them IMO. They end up as a freebie in the box. It makes perfect sense that if hardware revenues are decreasing a bit that those free things get removed and paid things take their place, but you won't be paying less for your next Phone because they took cheap earbuds out of the box. The market will bear the same price with or without them.