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

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
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...

Top Rated Comments

fwmireault Avatar
32 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
32 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
32 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
32 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
32 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
32 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)