All AirPods models should get USB-C charging in 2023 with a new charging case.

All existing models of Apple AirPods could benefit from USB-C charging if Apple releases a new USB-C charging case in 2023, as predicted.

• What is happening? Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that Apple will release USB-C charging cases for all AirPods models in 2023, though he said the charging case that comes with the next AirPods Pro will retain the Lightning.
• Why care? Apple is set to ditch its proprietary Lighting port in favor of USB-C on the iPhone as early as 2023, followed by accessories like AirPods. The next AirPods Pro are expected to be released later in 2022, but with Lightning charging. In other words, fans of USB-C charging may have to buy a new charging case for their AirPods in 2023.
• What to do? Get ready to buy a USB-C case for your existing AirPods and don’t worry about paying extra because it should be negligible compared to the benefits. Oh, and consider getting a universal USB-C multi-port power adapter that can charge multiple devices at the same time, such as the Ugreen Nexode series of GaN chargers. If not, you might want to think about it and be ready when the iPhone 15 switches to USB-C in 2023 and Apple releases a USB-C charging case for all AirPods models.

AirPods USB-C charging may arrive in 2023

“I predict Apple will release USB-C capable charging cases for all AirPods models in 2023,” Kuo tweeted. “However, the charging case for new AirPods Pro 2 released in the second half of 2022 may still support Lightning.”

What other Apple products will get USB-C charging?

The AirPods charging case isn’t the only product expected to make the jump to USB-C. Kuo and other analysts and people in the know have already said that the iPhone will replace the Lightning port with a USB-C port with iPhone 15 models coming in 2023. Apple accessories such as the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, and MagSafe Battery Pack still use the proprietary Lightning connector.

These products are just as good candidates for USB-C charging as this AirPods charging case. We expect Apple to eventually phase out the Lightning port entirely, but that process will take several years due to the sheer number of Lightning products in use today.

EU forces Apple to abandon Lightning

The benefits of using an industry standard like USB-C over Lightning start with accessory vendors who will no longer need to pay a commission to Apple just to include a Lighting port in their products. This could result in lower prices for us, especially since people will be able to use standard USB-C cables and chargers to charge their Apple hardware.

Regulators in the European Union have standardized USB-C-based consumer electronics chargers. Starting in 2023, manufacturers such as Apple will have to sell products such as USB-C iPhones in Europe.

How about the good old USA?

Perhaps soon US lawmakers will try to standardize chargers sold in the US. Lightning was introduced in 2012 to replace the 30-pin dock connector. So it would be fair to finally put Lightning to rest, don’t you think?