Demand for TWS earbuds may be robust, but prices for chips supporting these devices have been fallign fast, thanks to keen competition between IC design houses. Pricing for some TWS earbud chips has fallen below US$1. Apple is expected introduce its next-gbeneration AirPods next year, with manufacturing partners ready to gear up production at their plants in Vietnam. While Vietnam is becoming an important production base for AirPods, Apple's bid to diversify production risks could turn India into a hub for making the iPhone, according to some industry observers.
TWS earbud chip prices fall below US$1: Unit prices for some SoC chips used in true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds have fallen below US$1, and are still under downward pressure this year due to fierce competition among China- and Taiwan-based suppliers, according to industry sources.
AirPods assemblers gearing up for production in Vietnam: Apple is scheduled to roll out its third-generation AirPods series earbuds in the first half of 2021 followed by the launch of a new-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of next year, with related assemblers gearing up for production at their plants in Vietnam, according to industry sources.
Apple diversifying production risks: India could become a major production base for iPhone following a recent shakeup in Apple's supply chain in the form of Taiwan-based Wistron selling two of its China plants to Chinese maker Luxshare, according to industry observers.
