Kuo: AirPods Pro 2 May Have Lightning Charging Case, USB-C Coming in 2023

Tuesday August 9, 2022 6:37 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro may still have a Lightning charging case, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a tweet today, Kuo predicted that Apple will switch to a USB-C charging case for all AirPods models in 2023.

usb c airpods

AirPods charging case modded with a USB-C port by Ken Pillonel

Kuo said the new AirPods Pro will be released later this year. Several new features have been rumored for the earbuds, including an upgrade to the H1 chip that powers features like active noise cancellation, support for Apple Lossless audio playback, updated motion sensors for expanded fitness tracking capabilities, a new charging case that can emit a sound when lost, a skin-detect sensor for improved in-ear detection, and more.

Apple reportedly tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems that drop below the earbuds, similar to Apple's Beats Studio Buds, but recent rumors suggest the earbuds will not have any significant design changes.

I predict Apple will launch USB-C-capable charging cases for all AirPods models in 2023. However, the charging case of the new AirPods Pro 2 launched in 2H22 may still support Lightning. — 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 9, 2022

In May, Kuo predicted that other iPhone accessories would switch to USB-C in the future as well, such as the MagSafe Battery Pack.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3

Tags: AirPods Pro 2, Ming-Chi Kuo

Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution), AirPods Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Report: Intel is Testing Production of Some iPhone, iPad, and Mac Chips

Thursday May 14, 2026 11:48 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

TSMC has been the exclusive supplier of Apple's systems-on-a-chip since 2016, but that 10-year streak could be nearing its end. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said that Intel has "kicked off" small-scale testing of lower-end iPhone, iPad, and Mac chip fabrication, with production expected to ramp up throughout 2027 and 2028. Kuo did not indicate exactly which of Apple's...

• 78 comments

iPhone 18 Pro's Camera Upgrade Will Cost Apple 50% More

Friday May 29, 2026 3:44 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max's all-new variable aperture lens will cost Apple 50% more than the camera unit used in current models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Variable aperture has been one of the most persistent iPhone camera rumors of the past few years. Kuo first flagged the feature in late 2024, and it has since been corroborated by multiple reports and...

• 61 comments

MacBook Neo is So Popular That Apple Reportedly Doubled Production

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:24 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said he believes that MacBook Neo shipments to Apple were doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10...

• 115 comments

Top Rated Comments

fwmireault

50 months ago

A missed opportunity if true, USB-C port can't come soon enough in iOS devices and accessories. I guess I'll wait a bit before upgrading my AirPods Pro

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

tobybrut

50 months ago

This report actually makes sense. I thought the original report sounded wrong. iPhone is Apple's #1 seller by nearly an order of magnitude and every accessory Apple sells that has an Apple brand on it uses Lightning (some Beats that are targeted at Android have USB-C), the same port as the iPhone. I figured there was no way Apple would change its accessories before the iPhone. They would change ports at the same time.

If people hate Lightning on the iPhone because they want one cable, it's equally stupid to buy AirPods with USB-C and iPhone with Lightning. It should be the same with both.

It makes a lot more sense for Apple to sell Lightning AirPods with their Lightning iPhone 14 and then next year sell AirPods with USB-C and iPhone 15 with USB-C. They don't even have to rev the AirPods, just the case, which they have done in the past, e.g. MagSafe AirPods Pro case.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)