Apple is set to unveil the new iPhone 15 series at its Wanderlust event which is scheduled for September 12. One of the major changes coming to iPhones this year is the shift to the USB-C charging port from Apple’s proprietary Lightning port. However, iPhones are not the only devices that will get the USB-C Charging port.
For the sake of uniformity, Apple is also planning to introduce a new AirPods charging case with a USB-C charging port. This would make it easy for users to charge their iPhones and AirPods with a single charging cable.
In the latest edition of the weekly newsletter Power On, Mark Gurman reports that Apple is not expected to bring any hardware changes to AirPods except the USB-C charging port to the case. Also, there will not be new features.
AirPods Pro to get USB-C initially
Apple is expected to simply announce a new charging case for AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C charging case.
Until now, it was not clear which AirPods would get the charging port as Apple sells four AirPods models currently – AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
AirPods 3 were released two years ago and they are definitely due for an upgrade. AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, are fairly new and were announced just a year ago alongside the iPhone 14 series. Therefore, releasing an upgraded version with just a USB-C port would make sense. AirPods Max and AirPods 2 are also fairly old devices therefore releasing them with just a USB-C charging port and no new features is highly funkily.
Now, Gurman has cleared that Apple will eventually bring the USB-C charging port to every AirPods model. However, this year, only AirPods Pro second generation will get the new charging port.
Downsides of shift to USB-C for Apple
Gurman writes that the shift from the Lightning port to the USB-C charging port will not be favorable for Apple. The company has created an ecosystem of Lightning ports over the past 11 years. It rakes in millions of dollars every year by licensing its proprietary charging port to accessory makers.
Apple will lose that revenue and have to spend additional money and resources in bringing the design changes to iPhones, other devices, and the entire supply chain.
Another thing that might hurt Apple due to the switch from Lightning to USB-C is the increased compatibility with the Android ecosystem. The USB-C port on iPhones would make it easy for users to switch from iPhones to Android.
While Apple would like to sell this ease of switching and increased compatibility as a benefit to customers, it could bring negative complications to the company.
Nonetheless, Apple is set to switch and bring USB-C port to the iPhone 15 series and AirPods Pro.