According to new leaks, it looks like we won't have to wait too long for the much-anticipated AirPods 3, the follow-up to Apple's wireless earbuds, which will arrive later this year

Specifically, DigiTimes reports that Taiwanese supplier ASE Technology has begun production of optical sensors that will be incorporated into the next-generation Apple AirPods

The DigiTimes report, discovered by MacRumors, does not include a specific release date However, sources cited in the report indicate that the AirPods 3 will be released in the third quarter of 2021, which would coincide with the iPhone 13's September launch event

At this time, DigiTimes has only released snippets of information regarding the AirPods 3 Hopefully, a full report with quotes and details about the release date and the features fans can expect should be released soon

Still, this latest information is consistent with past rumors about the upcoming earbuds: according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, his information indicates that mass production of the AirPods 3 will begin as early as Q3 2021 This contradicts a previous report by FrontPageTech's Jon Prosser, who predicted a spring release

As for pricing, according to Korean website The Elec, avid fans will have to pay a premium for the upgrade The new AirPods 3 are expected to launch for $199, a noticeable jump from the AirPods 2's $159

As for the AirPods 3 design, there will be no complete overhaul, but the new AirPods are not a rehash either; the AirPods 3 are expected to maintain roughly the same lines as the AirPods 2, while incorporating influences from the AirPods Pro AirPods Pro

The earbuds reportedly will not offer active noise cancellation, but there should be an audio upgrade Rumored possibilities include more advanced drivers that provide a richer sound; Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support would also be nice additions

According to LeaksApplePro, a known Apple leaker, the AirPods 3 should have improved battery life Considering that the current AirPods only last less than 5 hours per replacement, any improvement would be welcome