A bit of over a 12 months in the past, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple could be all-in on USB-C by 2024, and it’s about to take the primary large step into that courageous new world subsequent month when the discharge of the USB-C-equipped iPhone 15 lineup will drive the ultimate nail into the coffin of the proprietary Lightning port.
Nonetheless, whereas that may mark a major transfer towards the dying of the Lightning connector, Apple nonetheless has fairly a number of free ends to tie up within the transition earlier than we will actually say goodbye to our Lightning cables. Happily, if a brand new report is correct, Apple is losing no time ushering in USB-C replacements for a few of its best-selling equipment, beginning with the AirPods.
Because the introduction of wi-fi charging instances for Apple’s AirPods, it’s unclear what number of of us even plug their AirPods right into a wired connection, however the excellent news is that those that do will quickly be capable of take pleasure in USB-C charging, leaving new iPhone 15 homeowners with one much less purpose to tote round a USB to Lightning cable.
Rumors that Apple will launch USB-C AirPods this 12 months have been circulating for some time, and now Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is doubling down on a prediction he made in early July, suggesting that we’re going to see some type of USB-C AirPods launched “on the occasion” subsequent month.
To match the brand new iPhones, Apple will introduce up to date AirPods on the occasion that embrace a USB-C charging port.
Mark Gurman
Whereas Gurman doesn’t supply any specifics this time round, he mentioned in July that Apple could be introducing a brand new AirPods Professional charging case with USB-C. Nonetheless, as we speak’s remark about “up to date AirPods” suggests we may additionally see a wholly new launch of Apple’s wi-fi earbuds.
Are ‘AirPods 4’ Coming?
It’s unlikely he’s referring to the AirPods Professional right here, as these have solely been in the marketplace for a 12 months. Gurman mentioned as a lot in July when he identified that the AirPods Professional have been on a three-year replace cycle to this point. Whereas Apple may shorten that, it will be extremely uncommon to refresh the AirPods Professional so quickly, significantly since they’re the one current mannequin on observe to obtain all the most recent and biggest new AirPods options in iOS 17.
In contrast, the usual AirPods had been final up to date within the fall of 2021 and, together with Apple’s dear AirPods Max, can be principally ignored of the iOS 17 celebration. That makes it a super time for Apple to launch the subsequent main model of its entry-level AirPods. These wouldn’t solely be packed right into a USB-C charging case however would additionally acquire the H2 chip wanted to deal with options like Adaptive Audio, Dialog Mode, Customized Quantity, and the power to name up Siri and not using a “Hey” prefix.
After all, not all of those can be totally relevant to the usual AirPods since they aren’t probably getting the Professional-exclusive Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC), however the H2 chip will not less than permit the “AirPods 4” to take their correct place in Apple’s earphone lineup, in a lot the identical method the AirPods 3 added Professional options like Spatial Audio.
In truth, historical past may repeat itself in a method this fall. Whereas the AirPods Professional may cost wirelessly from any Qi charger, the AirPods 3 had been additionally the primary to usher in a MagSafe charging case. Since Apple wasn’t able to launch a brand new model of the AirPods Professional, it upgraded the bundle to incorporate a MagSafe charging case as an alternative. Equally, the “AirPods 4” will virtually definitely include a USB-C case, whereas Apple quietly updates the AirPods Professional 2 to incorporate a USB-C case.
The larger query can be whether or not that case can be made obtainable as an improve for individuals who already personal AirPods Professional. Apple by no means bought the AirPods Professional MagSafe case individually, though some of us had been capable of get it as “a substitute half” by means of AppleCare. Nonetheless, the MagSafe case arguably wasn’t that large of a deal — it didn’t cost any quicker than the non-MagSafe model, so the one particular factor about it was the added magnets so you can connect your AirPods Professional case vertically to a MagSafe charging stand. By comparability, there could also be much more demand for a USB-C case, particularly for individuals who decide to improve to an iPhone 15 and not have some other want for a Lightning cable.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]