Apple's EarPods with USB-C charging, instead of the lightning port, may have already entered mass production, says a report by MacRumors, citing a Twitter post by leakster ShrimpApplePro. This development comes after several reports suggested that Apple is likely to ditch the lightning cable in favour of USB-C for charging this year.
Apple EarPods are wired earphones by the tech giant that feature either a lightning connector or a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and cost $19 (roughly Rs 1,599).
Some reports suggest that the shift to USB Type-C charging port may be adopted for several Apple accessories as well. The new EarPods would connect directly to the USB-C port on iPhone 15 models, without an adapter, the MacRumours report added.
According to famed Apple Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple accessories such as the MagSafe Battery Pack, AirPods charging cases and the Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse trio will switch to USB-C in the future as well.
Meanwhile, with the Apple iPhone 15 lineup expected to debut in the second half of the year, a recent report says that the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the purported top-of-the-line flagship smartphone from Apple this year is set to cost up to 20 per cent more. According to a tipster named Revegnus, the base iPhone 15 may see a hike of 12 per cent in price while the iPhone 15 Pro model will see around a 20 per cent hike.
According to reports, Apple may use A17 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 15 Pro models that will be fabricated on TSMC's 3nm process. Tawian's TSMC, however, is struggling with the production of the processor, which could possibly increase the prices of the upcoming iPhone models.
The iPhone 15 series is likely to sport the same display size as the iPhone 14 series. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max model may bear the "Ultra" moniker; Samsung also uses the Ultra moniker for its super-premium flagship Galaxy S models.