AirPods Pro 2 tipped to still come with a Lightning port

Concept image of stemless AirPods Pro 2 earbuds and charging case
(Image credit: Konstantin Milenin)

The rumored AirPods Pro 2 may come with several updates when they supposedly arrive later this year. 

But annoyingly, according to Apple supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will be keeping its proprietary Lightning connector on the new AirPods Pro charging case, rather than moving to the widely-used USB-C port see on many of the buds on our best wireless earbuds list.

Apple already uses USB-C ports on almost all its iPad and Mac products, and is rumored to be putting them on the iPhone 15 next year, with the 2023 AirPods and other accessories following on from that

Moving its next AirPods Pro generation to USB-C charging would have fitted in with Apple's alleged plans. It would also make life easier forvusers who could just carry around a USB-C cable and charger to handle the juicing up of their devices, rather than needing a secondary cable or charging unit. 

Mass production for the AirPods Pro 2 will start in the second half of this year according to Kuo, but in Vietnam rather than in both Vietnam and China like the original AirPods Pro are. Testing is tipped to still take place in China however, suggesting to Kuo that Apple can't completely escape the gravity of its current supply chain. It's something the company's likely keen to do, given its troubles with Chinese coronavirus lockdowns disrupting manufacturing and causing big delays for devices like the MacBook Pro.

Previous rumors for the AirPods Pro 2 have claimed the 'buds will feature a new stemless shape, fitness tracking capabilities and lossless audio playback. There may even be two size options for the first time, helping users get the right fit alongside the different ear tip sizes. The addition of even one of these rumored changes would be a big deal, and help gain the AirPods Pro 2 a position on our best wireless earbuds guide.

The likely launch for the AirPods Pro 2 will be this fall, among other expected Apple products like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. According to one leak, the precise date could be September 13.

Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

Read more
Beats PowerBeats Pro worn by female runner
Powerbeats Pro 2 launching 'imminently' according to reports — here's what we know
Apple AirPods Pro 2 with charging case placed on a table outside
5 things the AirPods Pro 3 can learn from the AirPods 4
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
AirPods Pro 3 major upgrades just tipped by new Apple patent
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 in cream
Powerbeats Pro 2 tipped to launch next week — here's the rumored date and price
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU
AirPods Pro 2 in charging case
AirPods Pro 3: 5 things I want to see from Apple's next flagship earbuds
Latest in Airpods
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses next to AirPods Pro 2
New report says Apple is working on Meta-style smart glasses and AirPods with cameras
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
AirPods Pro 3 major upgrades just tipped by new Apple patent
AirPods Pro
Apple releases instructions for installing new AirPods firmware updates — here's how
AirPods Pro 2 in a person's hands in front of a MacBook
AirPods Pro 2 are cheaper than AirPods 4 right now — this is the lowest price ever for Prime Day
AirPods 4 on a table
Don't wait for Prime Day — here's 15 Apple deals I'd get now from Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart
AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2 just granted FDA authorization for hearing aid use
Latest in News
Apple Watch Series 10
Future Apple Watch models could get a surprising new feature — what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Monday, March 24 (#652)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #386 (Monday, March 24 2025)
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand showing displays
Forget iPhone 17 — iPhone 18 could get this huge upgrade
The new Husqvarna iQ series robot lawn mower.
Husqvarna’s new robot mowers offer GPS for less
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know