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Kuo: AirPods Pro 2 May Have Lightning Charging Case, USB-C Coming in 2023
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As someone who owns Apple devices with both USB C and lightning, I actually prefer lightning for AirPods.
I find the lightning connector much easier to connect, with fewer problems than USB-c. Since there really is not data transfer going on with AirPod charging cases, I see no real advantages. I accept that USB-C will probably come next year, but I'm not anxiously awaiting it like some of you.
I find the lightning connector much easier to connect, with fewer problems than USB-c. Since there really is not data transfer going on with AirPod charging cases, I see no real advantages. I accept that USB-C will probably come next year, but I'm not anxiously awaiting it like some of you.
I'm pretty sure the source of the rumor is just that Apple has already designed an USB-C case (in addition to the Lightning case), just to be ready for the switch. AirPods have multi-year product cycles, after all.
It would still be nice if they just introduced both variants at the same time. There's USB-C iPad and Mac users already (so they could justify it). And there will be Lightning users for many years after the switch.
(Personally, I'm wary of investing in any more Lightning infrastructure at this point, so I just hope mine last until I get USB-C ones.)
I think the physical port will be around as long as USB-A or longer. Eventually the higher end stuff will trickle down to everyone but there's a lot of headroom. Even though all ports don't support all purposes today, and may never, the actual plug itself is good.
I disagree Maybe in the very long run, but I have at least a dozen (probably more) lightning cables that I use, and only a few USB-C cords -- So I would be buying more and throwing out many good cords.
I have almost forgotten that my iPhone and AirPods have charging ports, I never use them.
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.
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.
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
The primary reason I can see an advantage to USB-C is for data transfer. Once you've got big 4K videos on your device, you need a way to move them around. Other than that, I see cable-based charging going away bit by bit - by the time Apple transitions away from Lightning 100%, it will be largely irrelevant. And that's fine.
Precisely how Apple had been operating. Bad intent is always noticed, and will have repercussions at some point.
The right thing to do is to finally release the AirPods with USB-C. It’s also far better from e-waste perspective which we’ve been told by Apple marketing teams they care deeply about.
But sometimes corporations don’t do the right or even logical thing (logical from the consumer perspective anyway). Sometimes executives get a bit angsty about “optics” and how iPhone might be “perceived” next to AirPods with a seemingly superior charging port. Some things have to be sacrificed on the iPhone altar to keep the cash cow alive and well. Only when iPhone is ready will the others be allowed to transition.
But sometimes corporations don’t do the right or even logical thing (logical from the consumer perspective anyway). Sometimes executives get a bit angsty about “optics” and how iPhone might be “perceived” next to AirPods with a seemingly superior charging port. Some things have to be sacrificed on the iPhone altar to keep the cash cow alive and well. Only when iPhone is ready will the others be allowed to transition.
Regardless of any new functionality in the AP2 a cable would stop you from upgrading? I guess to each their own.
My AirPods Pro work fine, I see no reason to change them this year anyway. Upgrading my APP is definitely more of a luxury than a need, so I allow myself to be more selective rather than blindfoldly upgrade. Having a USB-C port in 2022 is one of them
It makes sense since the iPhone 14 isn’t moving to USB-C yet. Since the vast majority of AirPod users are on iPhone/lightning it doesn’t make sense to only make the AirPods USB-C.
Good luck with that. Most consumer electronics use USB-A or micro-USB. Very few things, relatively, use USB-C because it's overkill and too expensive for a simple thing like charging. Do you do home automation at all? You'll find the vast majority of items sold today do not use USB-C. Most of my consumer electronics bought in the last year do not use USB-C. People think USB-C is everywhere. It isn't.
Think about it. USB-C is mostly used to transfer data. Most items that use USB-C only want to to provide power delivery. Why would you pay for USB-C when USB-A or micro-USB costs a fraction of USB-C?
EU regulations to unify on USB-C are moronic. It prevents technological advance, especially with a connector as flawed as USB-C, the most physically fragile connector we have today.