Apple’s AirPods might switch to using USB-C for charging, aligning with the change expected in the new iPhones.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also covered this in his report about Apple’s upcoming September event. Gurman stated that Apple will reveal upgraded AirPods during the event.
These new AirPods will have a USB-C charging port to match the new iPhones. Currently, AirPods Pro 2 use the Lightning port for charging, similar to iPhones. However, iPhones are moving towards using USB-C instead of Lightning.
AirPods 3, which are about two years old, might also receive a charging case update to USB-C. This change could be considered less urgent compared to AirPods Pro 2, as it’s uncertain if the earphones themselves will be updated soon. The question whether AirPods 2 will continue to be available is also raised in the report.
Earlier, Gurman and other sources had suggested that the AirPods Pro might get an updated charging case with USB-C later in the year. Clues about new AirPods and a charging case were discovered in iOS 16.4 in March.
It’s unclear if the upgraded AirPods will have any additional features apart from the USB-C charging case. We’ll have more information about these changes in about two weeks from now.
In his report on Bloomberg, Mark Gurman stated
To match the new iPhones, Apple will introduce updated AirPods at the event that include a USB-C charging port.