My AirPods Pro earbuds are among my most prized possessions, but I can't wait to give them away.

Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro replacement has me salivating, even though it's still just rumors at this point. Details are sketchy, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that the third-generation AirPods will go into mass production in the third quarter of this year.

The AirPods Pro 2 are expected to launch alongside a third-generation AirPods. The lower-end model will reportedly have a similar design to the current AirPods Pro, with shorter stems but no silicone ear tips or active noise cancellation to compensate for the lower price.

The second-generation AirPods cost $159 with a wired charging case or $199 with a wireless charging case, while the AirPods Pro cost $249.