Apple is extensively anticipated to announce the next-gen AirPods Pro mannequin within the second half of the 12 months. A current report supplied a tentative launch date for the AirPods Pro 2, indicating that Apple would possibly unveil the brand new wi-fi earphones similtaneously the iPhone 14 this September. The similar report mentioned that Apple examined AirPods Pro 2 fashions with USB-C connectivity as an alternative of Lightning. But an insider now says that Apple will stick to Lightning for the brand new AirPods Pro mannequin.
Claims that Apple is including USB-C to AirPods Pro 2 make sense in gentle of current rumors that the iPhone 15 will change to USB-C subsequent 12 months. Other studies mentioned that Apple may also transfer all of the iPhone equipment that also use Lightning to USB-C when that occurs. The AirPods are on the checklist of units that may profit from the improve to USB-C.
But sticking with Lightning is equally logical. As lengthy because the iPhone stays on Lightning, that’s the sort of connector all iPhone customers will personal. And that’s all you want to recharge the AirPods. Apple might at all times refresh the AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C case ultimately.
AirPods Pro 2 to stay with Lightning
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted a thread on Twitter reacting to a Wall Street Journal story about Apple trying to manufacture its merchandise exterior of China. The report says that Apple has been urgent its suppliers to have a look at further manufacturing websites exterior of China.
Kuo commented for The Journal that solely Apple can afford to make such calls for. Apple isn’t the one firm trying to diversify its manufacturing traces, in response to the current lockdowns and former logistical points.
But it’s on Twitter that Kuo mentioned elaborated on the matter. And it’s there the place he claimed that the AirPods Pro 2 will ship with a Lightning port as an alternative of USB-C.
Kuo additionally mentioned that Apple will begin manufacturing the AirPods Pro 2 in Vietnam within the second half of the 12 months, marking a “successful case of mass production of Apple’s major products outside China.”
Expanding the AirPods Pro 2 manufacturing exterior China is simpler than different Apple merchandise. The “relatively not complicated supply chain and Vietnam’s better production environment” clarify Apple’s change to Vietnam. But Apple can’t make the identical factor occur for the iPhone or Mac as simply.
Moreover, the AirPods Pro 2 new product introduction (NPI) stage will nonetheless happen in China. That’s the manufacturing part the place contractors create an in depth manufacturing plan for a model new product.
Production rumors are excellent news
Luxshare, which manufactures AirPods, advised traders lately that unnamed prospects had been asking manufacturing companions to look exterior of China for NPI work. That’s based on The Journal. Kuo additionally named Luxhare as an AirPods Pro 2 assembler.
Kuo’s remarks principally cowl the supply-chain-related points that Apple is going through in China. While he talked about the AirPods Pro 2’s purported Lightning part, he didn’t provide further particulars concerning the earphones.
Still, Kuo’s remarks are thrilling nonetheless. If these manufacturing studies are correct, then the AirPods Pro 2 ought to hit shops later this 12 months, after years of rumors.
More AirPods protection: For extra AirPods information, go to our AirPods Pro 2 information.
Source: bgr.com