USB-C AirPods Professional to launch quickly, no different AirPods upgrades deliberate for 2023
After iOS 16.4 Launch Candidate model code advised Apple has new AirPods and AirPods circumstances to unveil, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned these will possible be the brand new USB-C model of the AirPods Professional 2. Since Apple additionally sells solely the case, for this reason there are code references for each merchandise.
Kuo expects mass shipments of the revised model of AirPods Pro 2 in 2Q23-3Q23. Apparently sufficient, he says Apple isn’t planning to launch a revised USB-C model of the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3.
Apple is making this transformation to adjust to a brand new European Union rule that claims these digital units should use the identical cable normal. Whereas the corporate may have launched AirPods Professional 2 with USB-C final 12 months, it determined to ship the product with a Lightning port as an alternative.
That mentioned, Apple can be anticipated to announce the iPhone 15 collection with a USB-C port as properly. All Macs already use a USB-C port, and most iPad fashions do too. The identical is price for the Apple Watch with a USB-C to MagSafe cable.
With that, the one merchandise that want to vary for USB-C are the iPhone, some Mac equipment, and the AirPods.
It’s necessary to notice that this isn’t the primary time Apple has launched a revised model of an AirPods mannequin. For the first-gen AirPods Professional, Apple launched a MagSafe case for this product, and it’s now doing one thing related by ditching the Lightning port to a USB-C as an alternative.
Kuo’s newest evaluation means the rumored AirPods Lite isn’t the one being hinted at in iOS 16.4 codes, however the USB-C AirPods Professional as an alternative. With no plans to convey USB-C to the entry AirPods fashions, Apple might be planning so as to add this port sooner or later with a brand new iteration of this product.
Rumors up to now say Apple may launch AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2 on the finish of 2024, on the earliest.