We already anticipate Apple to modify the iPhone away from Lightning in favour of USB-C when the iPhone 15 lineup arrives later in 2023, however what about its AirPods?
Apple will now reportedly additionally transfer the AirPods Professional 2 to USB-C as quickly as 2023, however those that are holding off shopping for AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 in order that they will get a brand new connector may need an extended wait.
USB-C (virtually) all of the issues
First, some background.
Apple is barely shifting the iPhone to USB-C due to an EU rule that can require all telephones and issues like earbuds and headphones to make use of a typical charger by the tip of 2024. That widespread charger is USB-C seeing as Apple was the one one not already utilizing it.
Transferring the iPhone over is not the one factor that Apple must do, in fact. It has AirPods that additionally use Lightning and might want to finally swap to USB-C. Now, business analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple has plans in place for the AirPods Professional 2.
In a publish on Twitter, Kuo mentioned that Apple is ready to start out mass shipments of an up to date AirPods Professional 2 quickly.
“I believe that is doubtless the USB-C model of the AirPods Professional 2, with mass shipments anticipated in 2Q23-3Q23,” Kuo’s tweet mentioned. “By the best way, Apple at present seems to don’t have any plans for USB-C variations of the AirPods 2 & 3.”
That does in fact elevate questions on what Apple has deliberate for the non-Professional AirPods. There’s additionally the AirPods Max headphones that should be thought of — we’ve not heard rumours of a selected USB-C model but, though there have been claims of an up to date pair of headphones arriving in 2024. 2025 has additionally been talked about, which might be too late for the EU.
The massive change is clearly the iPhone ditching Lightning, nevertheless, and that is anticipated to occur in September 2023.
