While everyone expects Apple to switch to USB-C when it releases Lightning iPhone 15 Later this year, a new report suggests it may not be the only USB-C product to launch in 2023. According to Ming Chi KuoApple will also launch a USB-C version of the second-generation AirPods Pro charging case.
Kuo reports that the new case that matches the model number was that discovered in the code of iOS 16.4, will ship in “2Q23–3Q23” or between April and September. That means it could arrive alongside the iPhone 15 at the fall event and start shipping in mid-September. Before the 2nd generation model came out, Apple previously updated the AirPods Pro case with MagSafe charging in October 2021.
The new case should not bring any further improvements apart from the new porting. The second-generation AirPods Pro case features a speaker and wrist strap, and can also be charged with an Apple Watch charger.
Notably, Kuo also says Apple “doesn’t appear to have any plans for USB-C versions at this time” of its other AirPods cases for the 2nd and 3rd generation models. That could mean that Apple is planning bigger changes to these models than just a new case. (Apple is rumored to have a Low-end AirPods Lite model for $99.) Or it’s possible that the USB-C case will just arrive with the next one AirPods 3 update.
