Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Charging Expected to Ship Next Quarter

Apple is reportedly preparing to release a new version of its AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C charging in the second or third quarter of this year, according to a tweet by TF International's Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo cited model numbers A3048 and A2968, which were discovered in the iOS 16.4 release candidate for developers and are believed to correspond to the new AirPods Pro 2 and charging case, respectively.

It's worth noting that Kuo did not reveal any other changes expected for the new USB-C variant of Apple's wireless earbuds, except for the replacement of the Lightning port with USB-C charging. Kuo also mentioned that Apple has no plans to offer USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo)

@mingchikuo

I think this is likely the USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2, with mass shipments expected in 2Q23-3Q23. By the way, Apple currently appears to have no plans for USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 & 3.

我覺得這應該是AirPods Pro 2的USB-C版本，預計會在2Q23-3Q23大量出貨。順帶一提，目前Apple似乎沒有提供AirPods 2 & 3的USB-C版本的計畫。Tweet source

In addition to the AirPods news, Kuo also recently tweeted that the iPhone 15 line will have a USB-C port, requiring a cable with a USB-C plug instead of the proprietary Lightning plug.

Apple will use the faster USB 3.2 ports for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra, and the slower USB 2.0 ports for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

The move from proprietary Lightning to USB-C is due to a common charger directive passed in the EU, which mandates a USB-C charging port for a significant number of electronic devices to reduce electronic waste.