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

[MacRumors]

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.

"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.

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

 

[tripsync]

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 is in absolute denial.

 

[abatabia]

So just the cases?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Imagine Apple announcing a Thunderbolt Charging Case for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 😍

 

[fwmireault]

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

 

[MayaUser]

Thank you Mark G you are always right with 1 month before the event...your inside sources are 100% until now

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Been waiting for them to add USB C to upgrade my gen 1s. Will purchase day one 👍

 

[fwmireault]

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.

 

[Nautilus007]

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.

 

[Anappleaday29]

My belkin 3 in 1 MagSafe charger is taking care of all of my charging needs
Unless the new case has a new feature or something, I will need to pass

 

[jz0309]

Imagine Apple announcing a Thunderbolt Charging Case for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 😍

90W to a AirPods charging case? yea, that'll go over well

 

[vegetassj4]

What if they made the case with a built in iPod and call them AirPod Ultra?

 

[Dwalls90]

Hopefully, we will be able to keep our AirPods but move them to the newer case, and not have to buy new AirPods and case.

 

[tripsync]

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.

That's like saying stick with iPhone 14 if you don't want USB-C.

 

[one more]

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.

 

[fede777]

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

From a user point of view, makes more sense to keep both, iPhone and AirPods. the same, because that's what most people take together, so one cable, now, if this rumors are true, will be the same, both switch, still one cable.

What would have been better is reverse wireless charging, so you can charge your AirPods with your iPhone, even when connected to a cable.

 

[fwmireault]

That's like saying stick with iPhone 14 if you don't want USB-C.

Exactly. And don't upgrade to anything between iPhone X and iPhone 15 if you can't live without TouchID. Or don't upgrade your Mac to Apple Silicon if you really need Intel applications to work on your laptop. Or don't upgrade your Mac Pro if you want eGPU cards support. What's your point?

We are not entitled to a product that doesn't exist. Apple, as any other company, offers a certain product, with certain specs. As consumers, we may disagree with certain choices, but we can either live with them and buy the product or not buy the product at all.

The lightning port was for me an inconvenience for years, but I was still willing to buy the iPhone despite this tradeoff.

 

[sw1tcher]

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? 🤣

Apple's New iPad Pro Models Ship With 18W USB-C Power Adapter

The new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that Apple debuted today will ship with an 18W USB-C power adapter, an upgrade from the 12W USB-A power...

www.macrumors.com

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

Apple Launches New USB-C Accessories for USB-C iPad Pro Models

Following the launch of new iPad Pro models equipped with USB-C, Apple today debuted several new adapters designed to work with the USB-C interface. ...

www.macrumors.com

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

USB-C in 12-Inch MacBook Adds Limitations but Opens Up Possibilities

Apple's newest MacBook is one of the first computers to take advantage of the USB Type-C specification, which was finalized in August of 2014....

www.macrumors.com

 

[mrat93]

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

Well, yeah, but have you considered that if Apple did that last year, they wouldn’t have as many people buying the new AirPods this year?

Why would Apple offer choices in the name of practicality, saving money, and convenience for users?

I’m happy with this news, but I would have been less-than-shocked if Apple simply released a USB-C charging case without including the AirPods.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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.

I’m sure the EU already have a recycling plan in place across all member countries to deal with the discarded cables (since the idea WAS environment related). I’m not in the EU, but I assume their social media messaging campaign must be wide reaching!

 

[MrENGLISH]

What would have been better is reverse wireless charging, so you can charge your AirPods with your iPhone, even when connected to a cable.

I'm honestly surprised this hasn't happened yet. Wasn't the iPhone 8 and X wired for this ability and it just never got the software support for it? I have no idea if the later MagSafe iPhones are wired this way too. This really needs to happen though. Apple really likes to drag their feet.

 

[tripsync]

Exactly. And don't upgrade to anything between iPhone X and iPhone 15 if you can't live without TouchID.

Nope.

There is zero difference in UX from switching from lightning to USB-C on AirPods case other than carrying only USB-C cables (assuming you get iPhone 15).

Switching from TouchID to FaceID increases the display size, offers zero touch unlock (fixes wet finger TouchID problem), offers superior face detection, and etc...

Sorry, but it's not the same.

What's your point?

USB-C switch on AirPods is an environmental disaster for nearly zero benefits.

 

[mrat93]

I’m sure the EU already have a recycling plan in place across all member countries to deal with the discarded cables (since the idea WAS environment related). I’m not in the EU, but I assume their social media messaging campaign must be wide reaching!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never thrown away a working cable and I’m not sure why anybody would in this case, considering there are billions of Lightning devices out there.

 

[fwmireault]

Nope.

There is zero difference in UX from switching from lightning to USB-C on AirPods case other than carrying only USB-C cables (assuming you get iPhone 15).

Switching from TouchID to FaceID increases the display size, offers zero touch unlock (fixes wet finger TouchID problem), offers superior face detection, and etc...

Sorry, but it's not the same.

Well, I agree with you regarding FaceID, but many people think that FaceID is a step backward. And for them, they can either decide to buy a high end iPhone and live with FaceID, or stick with an iPhone SE.

I'm not saying it's the same than the port change on AirPods, but I'll leave you the second part of my post so you get the big picture

We are not entitled to a product that doesn't exist. Apple, as any other company, offers a certain product, with certain specs. As consumers, we may disagree with certain choices, but we can either live with them and buy the product or not buy the product at all.

 

[SmugMaverick]

Been waiting for them to add USB C to upgrade my gen 1s. Will purchase day one 👍

Same, knew this was coming last year so waited it out.

I’ll wait until November though for the Black Friday gift card.