TechApple’s going USB-C for everything in September – and that could include AirPodsUSB-C connections aren’t just coming to the iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max, they’re reportedly coming to AirPods tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechApple’s going USB-C for everything in September – and that could include AirPodsUSB-C connections aren’t just coming to the iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max, they’re reportedly coming to AirPods tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
USB-C connections aren’t just coming to the iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max, they’re reportedly coming to AirPods too
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Andrew O’Hara)
(Image credit: Andrew O’Hara)
We know that whenApple launches the iPhone 15 range on 12 September, all the new iPhones will come with USB-C connections. But a new report says that we can expect to see USB-CAirPodsat the same event.
The report comes via Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, whosaysthat “To match the new iPhones,Applewill introduce updated AirPods at the event that include a USB-C charging port”. However, he didn’t have any more details to share and there’s no information about whether theAirPods 3, which were launched in 2021, would be updated beyond possibly getting a new charging case.
Why is USB-C coming to AirPods?
Apple has been moving away from Lightning to USB-C in a lot of its products, such as Macs and iPads, and it makes sense to have everything use the same kind of connectors: it reduces cable clutter and potentially e-waste too, which is why EU regulators brought in laws mandating USB-C for consumer electronics sold in Europe. So to some extent Apple doesn’t have a choice if it wants to sell iPhones to Europe.
There are benefits for us too, though. USB-C has much faster data and charging speeds than Lightning, which is pretty old now: the Lightning connector was introduced to theiPhonerange in the iPhone 5, replacing the old 30-pin dock connector that dated back to early iPods. What seemed quite nippy at the time is positively sluggish today: Lightning matched USB 2.0 speeds of 480Mbps. That was fine for the iPhone 5. It’s not so good when you want to transfer ProRes files from aniPhone 14 Pro Max.
Clearly USB-C is coming to all of Apple’s kit. But it’ll take a while, because Apple makes a lot of kit: not just iPhones and iPads and AirPods but also MagSafe charging accessories, its Magic Keyboard models and Magic Trackpad, and various other accessories. Apple is naturally focusing on the most important items first, so it might be some time before Lightning is completely gone from the line-up.
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