Apple AirPods Pro ‘Lite’ Without Active Noise Cancellation Coming in 2021: Report

Apple AirPods Pro ‘Lite’ could launch globally in early 2021, as per a new report. The ‘Lite’ version will have the same form factor as the AirPods Pro, but will come without active noise cancellation, thereby allowing for a more affordable price tag, which could be much lower than that of the ANC-enabled AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro ‘Lite’ could look and feel similar to the expensive AirPods Pro, with a proper in-ear fit unlike the regular AirPods, shorter stems, and earpiece controls with haptic feedback.

A report by Korean publication The Elec states that Apple had originally planned to launch the ‘Lite’ version in 2020 itself, but better-than-expected sales of the AirPods Pro had the company put these plans on hold. The ‘Lite’ version will suit those looking for a proper in-ear fit, which is much more secure and noise-isolating than the regular AirPods. There won’t be active noise cancellation, which will help reduce the price by up to 20 percent, as per a source cited in the report.

The Apple AirPods Pro was launched in late 2019, and is priced at Rs. 24,900 in India. The true wireless earphones come with a wireless charging case and active noise cancellation, along with proper noise isolation and very good sound quality. The ‘Lite’ version could offer practically all of these benefits, with the exception of ANC. The AirPods Pro ‘Lite’ could be priced just a bit higher than the regular AirPods, but still considerably lower than the AirPods Pro.

The report is based on information obtained by The Elec that a local supplier in the country has been contracted to develop a system-in-package for the new earphones based on Apple’s H1 chip. However, this could be a somewhat simplified version of the chip, which is present on the AirPods Pro, as well as on the recently launched AirPods Max over-ear noise cancelling headphones priced at Rs. 59,900 in India.

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