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Apple Reportedly Plans to Announce New AirPods With USB-C Charging Case at iPhone 15 Event

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All four iPhone 15 models launching next month are widely expected to be equipped with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. Alongside this change, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple plans to announce updated AirPods with a USB-C charging case during its event on Tuesday, September 12 at Steve Jobs Theater.

airpods pro 2
"To match the new iPhones, Apple will introduce updated AirPods at the event that include a USB-C charging port," wrote Gurman.

The report does not provide any additional details about the updated AirPods, so it's unclear if it is referring to the standard AirPods and/or the AirPods Pro, but both models will need to be updated with USB-C charging cases eventually to match the iPhone 15 models. Gurman and other sources previously claimed that the AirPods Pro would be updated with a USB-C charging case later this year, while hidden code-level references to new AirPods and a new charging case were uncovered in iOS 16.4 back in March.

It's also unclear if the updated AirPods will have any new features or changes beyond a USB-C charging case. The third-generation AirPods launched in October 2021, while the second-generation AirPods Pro were released in September 2022.

There are several other Apple products and accessories that will likely need to transition from Lightning to USB-C over time if they remain sold, such as the AirPods Max, MagSafe Battery Pack, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, various adapters, and more. Apple already updated the Siri Remote with a USB-C port last year.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral), AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

fwmireault Avatar
fwmireault
33 months ago

thanks EU for this environmental disaster. could have kept using billions of perfectly functioning lightning cables but nope.
As far as I know, your lightning AirPods case will still work after the September 12 event. Just stick with that if you prefer this port. Or use wireless charging.
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
fwmireault
33 months ago
Shame they didn't move AirPods Pro 2nd gen to USB-C last year, considering the USB-C Apple TV remote was unveiled at the exact same event
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
one more
33 months ago

thanks EU for this environmental disaster. could have kept using billions of perfectly functioning lightning cables but nope.

it's clear EU has no idea what they're doing. look at the annoying cookie popups for further proof. anyone who thinks otherwise are in absolute denial.
It is not like we suddenly won’t be able to use billions of perfectly functioning cables with their respective devices. Sooner or later those Lightening cables will wear out and you can then switch over, no major rush.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
33 months ago

thanks EU for this environmental disaster. could have kept using billions of perfectly functioning lightning cables but nope.

it's clear EU has no idea what they're doing. look at the annoying cookie popups for further proof. anyone who thinks otherwise are in absolute denial.
You mean like how the EU forced Apple to switch to USB-C on 2018 iPad Pro? 🤣

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/30/new-ipad-pro-18w-charger-usb-c/

All those perfectly functioning cables and accessories from prior iPads will now have to be replaced with the new USB-C accessories Apple launched

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/30/apple-new-usb-c-ipad-pro-accessories/


Or how the EU forced Apple to replace MagSafe with USB-C on 2015 MacBook?

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/03/10/usb-c-12-inch-macbook/
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
Mrkevinfinnerty
33 months ago
Been waiting for them to add USB C to upgrade my gen 1s. Will purchase day one 👍
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nautilus007 Avatar
Nautilus007
33 months ago
Of course there won't be any new features.
Apple likes to bleed its customers dry, first to buy the new version with solely a different charging port - and then introduce a new product to catch them again.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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