Apple could launch a second-generation version of the AirPods Pro equipped with a charging case with USB-C port by the end of the year. The forecast was made by well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities that mass shipments would begin in the second or third quarter. Apple also wouldn’t have thought of USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

I think this is likely the USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2, with mass shipments expected in 2Q23-3Q23. By the way, Apple currently appears to have no plans for USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 & 3.

我覺得這應該是AirPods Pro… https://t.co/aWKJvGh1lW

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 24, 2023

The current version of the second generation AirPods Pro was launched last September and has a charging case with the classic Lightning port which would now be on the way out given the progressive transition to USB-C which will probably also affect the entire iPhone range 15 arriving in the second half of the year.

At the moment it is not clear if the changes to these AirPods Pro 2 will only concern the charging port or if there will also be other hardware-related changes, which we feel like ruling out. Apple has already made this kind of change to the Siri Remote that comes with the latest version of the Apple TV 4K. It is probable that a similar fate will also befall the MagSafe Battery Pack in the future.

To corroborate the hypothesis of a new version of the AirPods Pro were some lines found in the iOS 16.4 Release Candidate code, which Apple released in recent days, where reference is made to unpublished AirPods with model number A3048 and an AirPods case with model number A2968.