More expensive Apple AirPods said to launch next year — and they may be smaller

• Apple is on track to launch new AirPods during the second half of next year, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
• Kuo's note suggests the AirPods might be smaller and more expensive.
• Apple AirPods are currently sold out ahead of the holidays.

Apple AirPods

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Apple is preparing to launch new AirPods in the second half of 2018, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo said Apple is sourcing smaller components from a company named TXC, which suggests the AirPods might also be smaller. According to AppleInsider, which obtained Kuo's note, Kuo is also expecting a higher average selling price, suggesting that the AirPods might cost more than the current model.

Kuo didn't mention it, but it's possible that Apple eventually adds health tracking features to its AirPods, too. According to a report from CNBC earlier this week, the ear is a better place to track health data than the wrist.

AirPods have gained in popularity since they hit the shelves a year ago and are currently out of stock heading into the holidays.

Apple has also promised a wireless charging case for the AirPods — likely to appear next year — which will work with the current model. It seems plausible an upgraded version would ship with this out of the box.