Apple could announce new AirPods with USB-C charging instead of Lightning at its iPhone 15 + Apple Watch event in September.
“To match the new iPhones, Apple will introduce updated AirPods at the event that include a USB-C charging port,” according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
In the past, we got new AirPods alongside new iPhones, so this isn’t surprising.
And with the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone Pro models adopting USB-C charging, Apple is expected to swap Lightning for USB-C on the AirPods lineup, the Magic accessories and its remaining Lightning-based products.
USB-C AirPods could launch alongside the iPhone 15 lineup
Apple must make this switch to comply with the new ruling requiring all mobile phones, tablets, cameras and other consumer electronics gadgets sold in the European Union to be equipped with a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024.
The author didn’t say if Apple will only update AirPods and AirPods Pro charging cases with a USB-C port or refresh the earbuds as well.
Gurman and analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier that the AirPods and AirPods Pro would first get USB-C charging cases to match the iPhone 15 models.
At the same time, new features and hardware changes are not expected to come to the AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max before 2024.
Apple’s “Wonderlust” event
Apple’s next pre-taped event under the tagline “Wonderlust” will occur on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 10am PT / 1pm PT at the Steve Jobs Theater. There will be limited in-person attendance for select journalists, developers and partners.
The event will have the same format as Apple’s online-only product presentations since the pandemic. The keynote will be broadcast via Apple’s homepage, its official YouTube channel and the TV app. You’ll be able to download a high-resolution video of the keynote via the Apple Events channel on Apple Podcasts.