USB-C AirPods charging case expected alongside iPhone 15

Apple may be using the September 12 iPhone 15 event to launch updated AirPods, with the charging case possibly making the switch from Lightning to USB-C.

The next Apple Event has been confirmed for September 12, and speculation has begun about what could appear during the presentation. Aside from the widely-anticipated iPhone 15 launch, Apple is reportedly going to introduce new AirPods at the event.

According to Mark Gurman writing for Bloomberg, Apple will be introducing an update to AirPods that includes a USB-C charging port in the charging case. The switch to USB-C, often rumored about, will apparently coincide with the similar shift for the iPhone 15, which will move away from Lightning for physical connectivity.

Gurman doesn't offer much detail about what the updated AirPods will have in terms of features or changes, if any will be included. It's entirely possible that all Apple changes is the USB-C connection in the case.

With the removal of Lightning from the iPhone, it's plausible that the AirPods could be the first wave of changes in the withdrawal of Apple's long-time connector from other accessories.

An update to the AirPods has been long overdue, with Apple launching the third-gen AirPods in late 2021. Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 2 in September 2022, though persisted with the Lightning connection and MagSafe for that release.

Apple does have a vested interest in migrating over to USB-C, as the European Union gave final approval to the Common Charger Directive in October 2022, which will make charging via USB-C mandatory on iPhones and small devices in 2024. Other countries, such as Saudi Arabia and India, have also worked on their own charger connector proposals, which will affect Apple in the same way.

4 Comments

tht 5594 comments · 23 Years

About 1 year ago

Hopefully it goes fast! Tempted with an AirPods Pro 3 as my non-sweat pear. Not satisfied with the pair of Beats Studio Buds I'm using.

I've run through, literally, an incredible amount of wireless headphones the past 3 years. My Powerbeats Pro have actually lasted through the summer 2 times now. Well, I've learned how to properly rinse them after all those other failures, but it's gotten a little hitchy at times with one bud not waking up lately.

If the iMac 24 w/M3 comes this October, Apple keyboards, trackpads, and mice should transition to USBC too. It's one of those weird curiosities that Apple, the company that prides itself on user interface, doesn't put in more effort on keyboards and mice. They have obvious unique advantages to trackpads, but their keyboards are basically perfunctory.

Wish they bought Keychron and run it like they do with Beats. Not much money or strategic advantage with keyboards, but it is the primary interface for all things computing. They should make some nice keyboards: mechanical, split mechanical, ergonomic mechanical et al.