iOS 16.4 Seemingly References New AirPods and AirPods Case

[SactoGuy18]

Hopefully, this is the long-awaited USB Type C connector charging case.

My guess would be that:

• A3048 is the AirPods (2nd generation) with USB-C (replacing the current one with Lightning);
• A2968 is a USB-C Wirelengss Charging Case for AirPods (replacing the current one with Lightning)

A3048 could be referring to the Beats Studio Buds+
A2968 could be referring to the charging case for Beats Studio Buds+

 

[Populus]

Everyone: Hopefully they switch to USB-C
Me: Hopefully they upgrade their Bluetooth from 5.0 to 5.3 like all the new devices.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Well, you are in luck, because if you buy them directly from Apple, you will have one minute plus fourteen calendar days given the current return policy.

27 days even if you wait til day 13 to submit the return request, they give 14 days from that day

 

[nutmac]

Why is USB-C worse?

USB-C isn't worse than Lightning, and a single connector that can charge all Apple devices (minus Apple Watch) is definitely compelling, but the EU law will probably discourage a better connector replacing USB-C in the future.

 

[cmChimera]

USB-C isn't worse than Lightning, and a single connector that can charge all Apple devices (minus Apple Watch) is definitely compelling, but the EU law will probably discourage a better connector replacing USB-C in the future.

I agree with all that. I was asking because his implication was that it was a bad trade-off.

 

[HylianKnight]

🤞 that it’s AirPod Pros with a usb-c charging case. My first gen pros are on their last leg, but prefer to wait for the usb-c transition .

 

[Lcgiv]

Obviously this is why I haven’t upgraded from pro 1 to pro 2 😅

 

[Gengar]

USB-C, I fear.

 

[cmChimera]

Hopefully, this is the long-awaited USB Type C connector charging case.

A3048 could be referring to the Beats Studio Buds+
A2968 could be referring to the charging case for Beats Studio Buds+

Do Beats have the same model numbers?

 

[Kar98]

AirPods Pro Max.

 

[CWallace]

A3048 could be referring to the Beats Studio Buds+
A2968 could be referring to the charging case for Beats Studio Buds+

I would expect Beats Studio Buds+ to come with a wireless charging case to help differentiate them from the Beats Studio Buds (which charge via USB-C only).

 

[CWallace]

Do Beats have the same model numbers?

Beats products use a mix of A and B series internal model numbers.

 

[Tom_Aatje]

Can we finaaaaally have black Airpods please?

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Hmmm I so want a pair of the max’s. The minute I buy them, a new product will come out

I don't know why everyone suddenly thinks Apple is moving towards doing new AirPods models every few months or suddenly bringing a slew of spec updates to existing ones.

What we've seen in the past is years and years between updating a particular product, but then Apple updating the charging tech post MagSafe for iPhone launch, etc. (and then the weird no-MagSafe version of AP 3).

This is most likely:

1. A USB-C version of APP2 with no other additions. APP 2 are still fresh. But a USB-C version in 2023 lines up with iPhones 15 going USB-C.
2. Secondly a USB-C case for AP 3rd Gen. No other updates. Maybe AW charging puck support and U1 chip but I doubt it. Probably just switching Lightning to USB-C. Hopefully also BT 5.3.
3. Wildcard prediction: H2 version of AP 3 with USB-C + BT 5.3, and then a USB-C case for APP 2 (Apple can still sell APP 2 Lightning version post 2024 deadline. It just cannot launch new models with Lightning post 2024 deadline)

I expect Apple to retire the Gen 1/2 AirPods form-factor completely in favor of Gen 3 soon. That is to say there will never be a USB-C version of Gen 1/2 AirPods, only Gen 3 and APP 2 will get USB-C and stay in the line-up post 2024 deadline.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Why is USB-C worse?

We just don't know about the long-term effects of USB-C. Lightning has been around longer and is the recognized standard for smaller Apple products.

 

[redpandadev]

If I were wager a bet, I’d bet this is just a SKU change to switch to a USB-C charging case, which they’ll also sell as a standalone option. There won’t be any updates to the AirPods themselves.

 

[reubs]

Cool. I spend all day on my AirPods 3! USB C would be welcomed and longer battery life.

Pretty happy with the 3s the way they are now.

Me, too. I prefer them over the Pro series because that noice cancelling (while I'm out on a walk) is a bit too eerie for me, and I'd prefer natural sounds coming in vs what the Pro series does. If these are AirPods 4, and their bud-style, that might really raise my interest in a new pair...

 

[Mac_tech]

Obviously this is why I haven’t upgraded from pro 1 to pro 2 😅

Same

 

[Mac_tech]

If I were wager a bet, I’d bet this is just a SKU change to switch to a USB-C charging case, which they’ll also sell as a standalone option. There won’t be any updates to the AirPods themselves.

Then why is there a reference to new AirPods as well as a case?

 

[svish]

Was not expecting to see a new AirPods in the near future. Should be hearing more about this.

 

[Digitalweddings]

Black Airpods maybe? Long overdue, all apple devices are black nowadays.

 

[sdz]

The best headphones ever are the EarPods for ~12€ . No battery nonsense and nothing you need to throw away within 18 months due to poor battery life.

Hopefully they will make a USB-C EarPod.

 

[kerr]

Seems rather obvious that AirPods with USB-C will be released to coincide with the iPhone 15 also having USB-C.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

We just don't know about the long-term effects of USB-C

What could possibly happen? I am not trying to be snarky. I am legit wondering what you are referring to.

 

[jonnysods]

I'd just like a few firmware patches for the APP2 - they are great sound quality, but a few hiccups here and there make them not feel as good out of the box as the first gen APP.