Apple is expected to transition AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max to USB-C by 2024, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who suggests that all new products in the category will swap out the Lightning Connector in favor of USB-C prior to the European Union’s official charger mandate that same year.
In the latest edition of his weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman says despite Apple so far sternly refusing to adopt USB-C on a range of products, like AirPods, the iPhone, Mac accessories, and more, behind the scenes, the company has been preparing itself for the forthcoming EU law, with plans in place to transition away from the Lightning Connector in favor of USB-C in the pipeline, with Gurman expecting the iPhone maker to tout the introduction of USB-C on its last remaining Lightning Connector products as a purposeful move for speedier charging and data transfer, rather than a forced move by the European Union.
In case you missed it, last week the European Union passed a new law to require all smartphones sold within the 27 countries of the EU to adopt USB-C charging ports by autumn 2024, forcing Apple and all other smartphone manufacturers to comply to legally sell their devices within the European Union member states.
By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the “common charging port” for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, with smartwatches and small devices such as health trackers exempt from the ruling where the hardware is too small to offer a USB-C port.
Gurman expects Apple’s next move to be transitioning entirely to inductive charging on the iPhone and iPad, matching the Apple Watch, although these plans are likely several years away.