Apple is reportedly planning to switch the iPhone to USB-C as early as next year. Now Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will introduce new versions of the AirPods chargers as early as next year.
The AirPods Pro 2 will be launched this fall. It is expected that the charging case for this model will retain the Lightning connection. Apple also introduced the AirPods 3 last year, which are also charged with Lightning. The charging cases for the AirPods and AirPods Pro also support wireless charging. Now Kuo has spoken out again and writes:
After iPhone 15 announcement, Apple will switch all products to USB-C
I believe Apple will launch USB-C enabled charging cases for all AirPods models in 2023. However, the charging case of the new AirPods Pro 2 launching in 2H22 might still support Lightning.
This isn't the first time Kuo has reported that future versions of the AirPods will use USB-C for charging. In May, the analyst said that in addition to the iPhone, Apple's AirPods and other accessories will also switch to USB-C. This includes accessories like the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse for the Mac, as well as the MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone. This means that once the iPhone 15 switches to USB-C in 2023, Apple will simultaneously begin switching all of its products to USB-C. This will eventually mean the end of the Lightning connector. But given how widespread Lightning is, it will likely take years for this process to be completed. (Photo by Unsplash / Sophia Stark)
