Next Apple iPhones to enter mass production in Q1 2020: 6 GB of RAM and AirPods in the box?

AirPods have been a resounding success, apparently becoming Apple's second-best-selling product earlier this year. The series costs between US$159 and US$249 depending on the version you buy, which undoubtedly generates plenty of profit for one of the world's wealthiest companies. However, the ever-unreliable DigiTimes now claims Apple is willing to forgo profits to push iPhone sales. Referencing industry sources, the Cupertino-based company is apparently considering bundling true-wireless stereo earbuds (TWS) with its next iPhones; likely called the iPhone 11s or iPhone 12 series.

Currently, Apple includes its US$29 EarPods with all iPhones, so bundling US$159 AirPods instead would seem a rather generous move. If true, then we would expect Apple to raise the prices of its next iPhones to accommodate reduced profits from a drop in AirPods sales. Tangentially, the company could have a cheaper pair of TWS earbuds planned instead. DigiTimes only mentions that Apple is considering including TWS earbuds, which does not necessarily mean the AirPods that are already on the market.

Separately, Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis has reported to Macrumors that the iPhone 11s or iPhone 12 series will feature 6 GB of RAM, along with a time-of-flight (ToF) camera and 5G support. Finally, the iPhone SE 2 will apparently enter mass-production in February before going on sale in March. The SE 2 will have 3 GB of RAM and an A13 Bionic SoC though, rather than 6 GB that Curtis claims the iPhone 11 successors will have and the A14 Bionic that will likely be released next year too.

At this stage, we would treat these rumours with some scepticism. They all point towards Apple releasing iPhones that are better value for money, which would be atypical of the company's current pricing strategy.