Engineering Student Creates Custom AirPods With USB-C Charging Case

After showing off the world's first iPhone with a fully functional USB-C port last year, engineering student Ken Pillonel has now created custom AirPods with a USB-C charging case instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector.

usb c airpods
Pillonel told The Verge that he managed to design a custom flexible PCB that allowed him to fit the necessary USB-C charging hardware inside the AirPods case, and he plans to open source the project so that others can attempt the project themselves.

He shared a short video of the USB-C AirPods on YouTube and plans to release a full-length video with more details in the coming weeks.

In addition to a USB-C iPhone and USB-C AirPods, Pillonel also managed to add a fully functional Lightning connector to a Samsung smartphone.

Apple has opposed proposed EU legislation that would require the company to offer a USB-C port on devices like the iPhone. Apple does offer USB-C ports on some devices, such as the latest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models.

Popular Stories

hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Two Breakthrough Features

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:26 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include two standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're officially less than one week away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Report: Low-Cost iPhone, iPad, MacBook Coming Early 2026

Friday November 21, 2025 2:26 am PST by
Apple is planning to release new entry-level models across its iPhone, iPad, and Mac categories early next year, with an all-new affordable MacBook the most notable addition to the lineup. According to a new research report by Jeff Pu of GF Securities seen by MacRumors, Apple will launch the iPhone 17e – its second iteration of the "e" line – in the spring, likely along with a...

Top Rated Comments

jayducharme Avatar
46 months ago
I just went on a trip and had to pack three different cables for three different Apple devices. I wish they’d take this guy’s hint and just shift everything to USB-C.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ratspg Avatar
46 months ago
People want Apple to utilize USB-C so badly, lol.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Barron Avatar
46 months ago
Come on, Apple! It's time to go to ONE charging connection worldwide - USB-C for all devices. You'll still make plenty of money and people will be able to stop all the cable madness. The time is N O W, Apple.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
46 months ago

Does anyone actually charge their AirPods case with a cable? Lol it's not 2005 anymore.
yes cuz I dont have a hundred years to charge my things and I usually need to charge them on a plane or whatever
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jaro65 Avatar
46 months ago
Glad to see this guy continues to pick up new projects to show Apple what's possible. :-)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiranmk2 Avatar
46 months ago

Come on, Apple! It's time to go to ONE charging connection worldwide - USB-C for all devices. You'll still make plenty of money and people will be able to stop all the cable madness. The time is N O W, Apple.
Not just one cable for charging - one cable for everything.

* Charging
* Display output
* Connecting peripherals
* Data transfer
* Audio
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)