USB-C AirPods Pro are coming this year. Earlier this week, Apple released the final beta of iOS 16.4 to developers, but also to users: within the update code, Apple added references to the new Beats Studio+ earphones, as well as the new AirPods. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new AirPods referred to in this update are probably the AirPods 2 Pro with USB-C, as Macitynet had already hypothesized.
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Mass shipments of these USB-C AirPods Pro 2 are expected in the second or third quarter of 2023. By the way, Apple currently seems to have no plans for the USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 and 3 as well.
AirPods found within the iOS 16.4 code use the model number A3048, while the case bears the number A2968. The switch to the USB-C model is not surprising, considering that Apple is planning to switch the entire iPhone 15 lineup to this type of connector this fall.
With the transition of the iPhone to USB-C, the multinational is also planning the migration to this connector also for accessories and peripherals. It’s not the first time Kuo has reported that future versions of the AirPods will use USB-C for charging.
Last year, he said AirPods and other Apple accessories would also switch to the USB-C connector, along with the iPhone. These will also include accessories like the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse for Mac, as well as the MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone.
Apple is adopting USB-C on its products, in part, due to new legislation in the European Union. According to this legislation, companies have until December 28, 2024 to comply. While they don’t exist yet, an engineer has created an AirPods Pro with USB-C, showing them on video.
We remind you that the USB-C port of the future iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, as well as the related charging cables (from USB-C to USB-C) will integrate an authentication chip, along the lines of what has already been done with the Lightning connector, element that will allow the approval of compatible accessories to be taken into account, those in other words “certified” such as Made for iPhone” MFi, limiting some of the functions of non-certified cables and accessories.
