Second-Generation AirPods Pro Charging Case Expected to Stick With Lightning Port

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As Apple reportedly plans to switch the iPhone 15 and a number of its accessories to USB-C in the coming years, the upcoming second-generation AirPods Pro charging case will continue to feature a Lightning port, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.

airpods pro in case
In a series of tweets, Kuo reiterated his past remarks that the second-generation AirPods Pro will launch in the second half of this year. In the last few weeks, information has emerged that Apple is testing USB-C for the iPhone 15 and its accessories, including AirPods, the MagSafe Battery Pack, and Mac keyboards/trackpads, which still feature the Lightning connector.

The upcoming AirPods Pro will not, however, mark the start of the transition towards USB-C for the AirPods line. "I predict the charging case of AirPods Pro 2 will still support Lightning, not USB-C," Kuo said in a tweet. All of Apple's AirPods, including the high-end $550 AirPods Max, feature a Lightning connector for charging.

The second-generation AirPods Pro will be the first update to the AirPods Pro since their launch in 2019. The new models are expected to feature a new design that gets rid of the stem for an all-ear design, similar to the Beats Fit Pro. Health tracking capabilities, as well as an improved charging case and audio quality, are also expected. For everything we know about the upcoming AirPods Pro, see our guide.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Tag: AirPods Pro 2
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Nimrad Avatar
Nimrad
48 months ago

except for the fact that there’s surely going to be another Lightning to USB-C cable in the box that next to nobody needs.
But this is the whole point. I think we can all agree Lightning is a dying port. Apple even pioneered USB-C on laptops back in 2015. Sticking with Lightning for no reason is just frustrating. And in my experience wireless charging is painfully slow on the AirPods Pro.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
NightFox
48 months ago
As soon as Apple adopted USB-C for the iPad, I expected everything else to go that way with its next iteration. Having finally made that first step, I really don't understand why Apple are still clinging on to Lightning.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maetzle Avatar
Maetzle
48 months ago
Oh Apple. Please don't release those with Lighting, switch to USB-C next year for iPhones and other products and then sell us a separate USB-C case for $100 down the line.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApplesAreSweet&Sour Avatar
ApplesAreSweet&Sour
48 months ago

They adopted it on the iPad solely to make the device more competitive / usable against PCs.

USB-C is a total ****-show when it comes to cables and standards.
That’s such a non argument: Apple just has to put the right kind of high quality USB-C cable in the box and no consumer will face issues until they decide to get third-party cables.

If Apple can figure out how to put a decent charger and USB-C cable in M1 iPads Pro, Macbook Air and 13” MBP product boxes then surely they can figure out how to do the same for iPhones.

The failure to adopt USB-C on iPhones is not a technical issue for Apple, or a decision made to provide the best and most user-friendly solution for consumers. It’s a profit margins issue, nothing else.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
MayaUser
48 months ago
reliable until last year maybe...now-days is un-reliable analyst Ming Chi Kuo..please lets not lie the users
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SeaFox Avatar
SeaFox
48 months ago

I really don't understand why Apple are still clinging on to Lightning.
Because Apple hates to admit when they're wrong. They'd rather the EU pass a law that requires it, so they can frame it as "well, we unfortunately had to give up on our Lightning port because of that", rather than because following the rest of industry was really just better than using their own custom solution.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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