The question of an AirPods 3 release date has largely been addressed in broad terms, but the DigiTimes report may at least narrow down the official reveal - which will reportedly be shared with the iPhone 13.

Citing industry sources, DigiTimes claims that Apple's long-rumored wireless earbuds are "likely" to appear at an Apple product launch in late 2021. Realistically, this would likely be the iPhone 13 launch, which is expected to take place in September.

You will notice that this is not a definitive confirmation that these two devices will be unveiled at Apple's blockbuster September event, but frankly, it makes too much sense to completely dismiss the idea that AirPods 3 will be announced at the same time as the next iPhone. But frankly, it makes too much sense that AirPods 3 will be released with the next iPhone.

And since both the current Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro activate bonus features when connected to an iOS device, it is very likely that AirPods 3 and iPhone 13 will be marketed as the perfect pairing. There is definitely room for Apple to add full spatial audio support to the AirPods 3.

It was already highly likely that Apple was preparing a September event; other than in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the iPhone 12 launch back to October, Apple has tended to announce an iPhone update in September every year. So far, there is no other reason to believe that this year will be another anomaly.

For what it's worth, Twitter leaker @dylankt also claims that the AirPods 3 and next iPhone will be released together in September; according to AppleTrack, this account has an 81.3% accuracy rate, while DigiTimes has a 63.5% accuracy rate in the DigiTimes.

Plans are often subject to change, and we will keep our ears open for further updates, but for now, the co-launch of the AirPods 3 and iPhone 13 is one of the more plausible rumors we have heard about these earphones.