Apple’s AirPods may very well be getting a USB-C charging port — changing the present Lightning connector in 2023.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo took to Twitter to make the prediction that each one of Apple’s moveable audio merchandise will make the swap to this connector. It might be slightly annoying for many who have already got Lightning cables, however will make them a lot extra handy in the long run.
I predict Apple will launch USB-C-capable charging instances for all AirPods fashions in 2023. Nonetheless, the charging case of the brand new AirPods Professional 2 launched in 2H22 should help Lightning.August 9, 2022
Plus, with a USB-C iPhone coming in 2023 too (following the EU ruling), alongside just about all of the iPads having already made the soar to this common connector, this could be a logical transfer.
Kuo additionally states that this will likely imply the rumored AirPods Professional 2, that are anticipated to launch within the second half of 2022, should get Lightning help. Nonetheless, this does not rule out that it might get an upgraded case with USB-C help in 2023.
Not so proprietary anymore
There are two key advantages past the very fact this may deliver AirPods in keeping with a connection customary utilized by just about each single client tech system on the market.
First, information switch. You possibly can rise up to 40Gbps with USB 4.0 help with USB-C. When in comparison with the reported switch speeds as much as 480MBps of lightning, the selection couldn’t be clearer.
Second, and most essential to the AirPods, a sooner charging pace of as much as 100W. Lightning is able to charging at simply 12W, and whereas in one thing small like AirPods, the charging pace will probably be fast no matter what you utilize, the pace improve is simple.
Outlook
If this turns into a actuality, will probably be one among two ultimate nails within the coffin of the lightning connector — launching in the identical 12 months because the reported USB-C iPhone, to unify all the Apple ecosystem round this shared port customary.
It appears that evidently EU ruling has made its impression, which is able to cut back our want to purchase extra cables and, by extension, cut back the environmental impression needing completely different wires. Plus, let’s not overlook the elevated pace of information switch and charging pace afforded to this enter.
