Apple Reportedly Not Planning to Release USB-C Version of AirPods 3

Apple has no plans to release a new version of the third-generation AirPods with a USB-C port, despite intending to do so with a new version of the second-generation AirPods Pro later this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said.

airpods pro with usb c port ken pillonelImage via Ken Pillonel

In a tweet, Kuo explained that Apple "currently appears to have no plans for USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 & 3." The decision is notable since Apple is apparently planning to release a revised version of the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ with a USB-C port later this year. Kuo's comment likely suggests that Apple is holding off for the fourth-generation AirPods to offer a USB-C port on the device.

Apple has released new versions of AirPods charging cases twice in the past to add new hardware features such as wireless charging and MagSafe. A new, mid-cycle version of the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌'s charging case to switch to a USB-C port is therefore in line with the company's past behavior.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that all three AirPods models could switch to USB-C by the end of 2024, hastened by EU legislation that forces manufacturers to offer USB-C as a common charging port across a wide range of devices.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iphone 16 display

iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

Monday April 28, 2025 12:48 pm PDT by
Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors. Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard...
apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Reaches Key Milestone Ahead of Mass Production

Monday April 28, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) for at least one iPhone 17 model, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report. iPhone 17 Air mockup based on rumored design The EVT stage involves Apple testing iPhone 17 prototypes to ensure the hardware works as expected. There are still DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test) stages to...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

20th Anniversary iPhone Likely to Be Made in China Due to 'Extraordinarily Complex' Design

Monday April 28, 2025 4:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely manufacture its 20th anniversary iPhone models in China, despite broader efforts to shift production to India, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In 2027, Apple is planning a "major shake-up" for the iPhone lineup to mark two decades since the original model launched. Gurman's previous reporting indicates the company will introduce a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold"...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Feature

All iPhone 17 Models Again Rumored to Feature 12GB of RAM

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
All upcoming iPhone 17 models will come equipped with 12GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, according to the Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The claim from the Chinese leaker, who has sources within Apple's supply chain, comes a few days after industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all be equipped with 12GB of RAM. ...

Top Rated Comments

Motawa Avatar
28 months ago
obviously. usbc is a PRO feature
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrat93 Avatar
28 months ago

Good! Everybody has a ton of Lightning cables, might as well keep using them. Switching to USB-C is bad for the environment because everyone will have to purchase new cables and throw the old ones away.
If Apple cared about the environmental impact of people throwing away their cables, they would have switched to USB-C years ago, and switched other products over sooner. And also maybe sell/include more durable cables that last.

For every pair of AirPods sold today, that’s another Lightning cable in the trash in less than 5 years — we all know that neither AirPods or Apple cables last nearly that long when actively in use.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
28 months ago

I bought Airpods 3 last weekend to replace my 2’s, knowing full well that everything is switching to C soon.

How did I get screwed?
You didn't. Lightning is a far more mechanically robust connector, designed for frequent insertions/extractions, and is especially ideal for devices that do not need much charging current and don't need to transport high-speed data.

Many people just need something to moan about in order to feel better and have a better day.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
28 months ago
USB C AirPods 4 confirmed for 1st of January 2025?

Another great way to screw the lower end consumer by selling them a device with the legacy connector right up to the legal date they're forced to change it ;)

EDIT: Well not screwed so much, just penalised in the future-proofing game.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
28 months ago

Apple is shooting themselves in the foot with this one, iPhone 15 buyers will ditch AirPods in favor of the Beats lineup or even of third-party competitors.
Believe it or not, outside the echo chamber of online forums, I think most people don't give a rat's ass if their AirPods use the "wrong cable" to charge. People will just plug it in (using the cable every single iPhone on earth ships with) and move on with their lives. Or they'll just charge it wirelessly.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unggoy Murderer Avatar
28 months ago

USB C AirPods 4 confirmed for 1st of January 2025?

Another great way to screw the lower end consumer by selling them a device with the legacy connector right up to the legal date they're forced to change it ;)
You get a cable in the box with the AirPods, nobody is getting screwed.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)