AirPods Pro 2 Charging Case Expected to Maintain Lightning Port: Kuo

The AirPods Pro 2 is expected to maintain the use of Apple’s Lightning port. This news comes from TF International Securities Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo when reports claim that Apple is prepping to transition away from its Lighting port when it comes to the iPhone 15.

Kuo posted a series of tweets, outlining some details regarding the AirPods Pro 2. First seen by MacRumors, Kuo discussed how it’s expected that the second-gen AirPods Pro will enter mass production in Vietnam during the second half of 2022. Kuo claims that the shift to Vietnam is due “to the relatively not complicated supply chain and Vietnam’s better production environment.”

Additionally, Kuo touched on the possibilities of Apple maintaining the use of its Lightning port for the AirPods Pro 2. “predict the charging case of AirPods Pro 2 will still support Lightning, not USB-C,” Kuo states.

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5. For Chinese companies, Luxshare ICT and Goertek, who are AirPods series assemblers, setting up facilities in Vietnam instead of India can also reduce potential geopolitical risks.
6. I predict the charging case of AirPods Pro 2 will still support Lightning, not USB-C.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 24, 2022

The discussion of Apple’s use of Lightning ports has been rapidly increasing. Recently, Kuo discussed how he predicts Apple will abandon the use of Lightning upon the introduction of the iPhone 15 in 2023. This will mark over a decade of its proprietary cable and port used for the iPhone. Apple has also been transitioning away from Lightning when it comes to its iPads as well.

Apple’s transition away from Lighting for the iPhone 15 makes sense as USB-C can improve transfer speeds for larger file sizes. That perk does not apply to Apple’s AirPods. Currently, all models of the AirPods, including the AirPods Max, utilize the Lightning port. Perhaps this is a means of sticking to the status quo.

AirPods Pro 2 is said to be a refresh of the current models. Earlier reports claimed that the new premium wireless earbuds would feature a new chip and updated design. Rather than a bulkier stem, Apple is expected to reduce its size and maintain a smaller all-ear design. Fitness tracking is also said to be a core feature of the new AirPods Pro. Updated motion sensors are said to be featured to improve the fitness experience.