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 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

Motawa Avatar
18 months ago
obviously. usbc is a PRO feature
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrat93 Avatar
18 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
18 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
18 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
18 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
18 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)