Kuo: AirPods Pro 2 May Have Lightning Charging Case, USB-C Coming in 2023

[MacRumors]

Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro may still have a Lightning charging case, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a tweet today, Kuo predicted that Apple will switch to a USB-C charging case for all AirPods models in 2023.

AirPods charging case modded with a USB-C port by Ken Pillonel​

Kuo said the new AirPods Pro will be released later this year. Several new features have been rumored for the earbuds, including an upgrade to the H1 chip that powers features like active noise cancellation, support for Apple Lossless audio playback, updated motion sensors for expanded fitness tracking capabilities, a new charging case that can emit a sound when lost, a skin-detect sensor for improved in-ear detection, and more.

Apple reportedly tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems that drop below the earbuds, similar to Apple's Beats Studio Buds, but recent rumors suggest the earbuds will not have any significant design changes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1556996472109150208

In May, Kuo predicted that other iPhone accessories would switch to USB-C in the future as well, such as the MagSafe Battery Pack.

Article Link: Kuo: AirPods Pro 2 May Have Lightning Charging Case, USB-C Coming in 2023

 

[System603]

And this is why we can't have nice things. (if true)

 

[Kylo83]

Never used the port, I use wireless charging

 

[jsamuelson]

I predict they will also be happy to sell you a new case with USB-C. If a YouTuber sorted this then Apple should have been able to crack it in time for the second gen Pros.

 

[fwmireault]

A missed opportunity if true, USB-C port can't come soon enough in iOS devices and accessories. I guess I'll wait a bit before upgrading my AirPods Pro

 

[SW3029]

what the actual ****

 

[Coreymac84]

If they're keeping lightning on the iPhone 14 this makes sense, not sure why anyone would be surprised by this or disappointed. Having two cables for your phone and earbuds makes zero sense.

 

[Rychiar]

I forget this case even has a port. Always use the pad

 

[tobybrut]

This report actually makes sense. I thought the original report sounded wrong. iPhone is Apple's #1 seller by nearly an order of magnitude and every accessory Apple sells that has an Apple brand on it uses Lightning (some Beats that are targeted at Android have USB-C), the same port as the iPhone. I figured there was no way Apple would change its accessories before the iPhone. They would change ports at the same time.

If people hate Lightning on the iPhone because they want one cable, it's equally stupid to buy AirPods with USB-C and iPhone with Lightning. It should be the same with both.

It makes a lot more sense for Apple to sell Lightning AirPods with their Lightning iPhone 14 and then next year sell AirPods with USB-C and iPhone 15 with USB-C. They don't even have to rev the AirPods, just the case, which they have done in the past, e.g. MagSafe AirPods Pro case.

 

[SmugMaverick]

They did this before by adding MagSafe to the pros case and releasing it later, I’m Sure they’ll do the same thing as a passing comment in the 2023 iPhone event As well.

I’ll be holding off until then to upgrade my AirPod pros, fool me once.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Oh look another reason I don't care about AirPods anymore

 

[boak]

Not surprised. It makes sense.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Then I won't buy them till 2023. The batteries don't last a full product lifecycle anyways. Better to wait a year.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Apple must have a warehouse full of Lightning ports to get rid of. Between this and iPhone 14, that should pretty much clear it out by 2023.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Not surprised. It makes sense.

Which "sense" is that?

 

[MrRom92]

If they don’t do lossless then it won’t matter what cable I need to charge them since I won’t be buying them

 

[Johnny907]

If they're keeping lightning on the iPhone 14 this makes sense, not sure why anyone would be surprised by this or disappointed. Having two cables for your phone and earbuds makes zero sense.

Having two cables for your iPad and iPhone doesn’t make sense either, but here we are.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It looks like 2023 is USB-C year all across the lineup.

 

[tweaknmod]

This article made me wonder what will come after USB-C... Just out of curiosity, given the issues of compatibility for average consumers (some are thunderbolt, some aren't, some can send a data signal, others can't, etc.), and the strain they can sometimes put on the ports of devices. I started to wonder...

So, I Googled, and found this hillarious Aplril Fool's joke from 2015 that I thought I'd share -- Read the last line, if nothing else, lol...

[For the record, I like USB-C overall, but it has flaws, as does all tech - that said, I welcome unified ports across all my gadgets.]

 

[No5tromo]

It's 2022, the plethora of USB forms is just absurd. Apple has made leaps in pushing consumer electronics forward but then they undo their reputation with bad decisions like this. I personally won't be buying anything that is not USB-C from now on. I recently went to buy a multi-charger for travelling and realised that I need one which comes with both USB-A and USB-C ports plus different cables for different Apple devices. What an utter mess Apple.

On top of that other manufactures insist on using USB-A and micro USB on certain devices which adds to the whole cable/charging mess.

I 100% support EU regulations that keep manufactures in check.

 

[AirunJae]

Lightning was great for its time but given the proliferation of USB-C even amongst Apple's own devices, it's past time to switch over. I get that the scale of the iPhone presents its own challenges, but let's go!

 

[MrENGLISH]

Unacceptable in 2022.

 

[boak]

Which "sense" is that?

There are a lot more iPhones sold than iPads and Macs combined, which means it benefits the majority of AirPods customers to retain the Lightning port for now.

 

[darngooddesign]

There are a lot more iPhones sold than iPads and Macs combined, which means it benefits the majority of AirPods customers to retain the Lightning port for now.

Exactly right. AirPods will get USB-C when the iPhone 15s get USB-C.

 

[Radshaw]

Oh my Lord, Apple. I was looking forward to USB-C on the AirPods Pro. Guess we will see what happens.