All Apple AirPods and Mac accessories may sport USB-C by 2024
Apple is gearing up to embrace USB-C across its product lineup in the coming years, as reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. This move will see all wireless earbuds, such as the recently updated AirPods Pro, transition to the USB-C charging standard by 2024. Additionally, accessories like the Magic Mouse might also get a USB-C refresh with a more user-friendly design as early as next year.
The adoption of USB-C aligns with the European Union’s upcoming mandate, which requires all new phones, tablets, and headphones in the EU to feature USB-C charging by the end of 2024, extending to laptops in 2026. Apple had already started testing USB-C iPhones in anticipation of this legislation, with the iPhone 15 line likely to make the switch next fall.
Despite the USB-C transition, Apple may eventually shift entirely to inductive charging for the iPhone and iPad in the future. This move could serve as a workaround to the EU’s legislation as it currently does not cover wireless charging technology.
Rumors have circulated for years about Apple’s plans for a portless iPhone, dating back to the removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016. Apple faced challenges with Qi charging, notably leading to the cancellation of AirPower in 2019.
