A New Wireless Charging Case

While the second-generation AirPods introduced support for wireless charging, this was in the form of an optional upgrade. The entry-level $159 AirPods included the same wired charging case as the original 2016 ones, while $199 would get you a Qi-compatible charging case that could be dropped onto any charging pad.

There’s some debate about how necessary wireless charging truly is for an accessory that offers 24 hours of listening time, but there’s no doubt it’s convenient, and it’s where the iPhone world is headed.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that we can expect the wireless charging case to come standard, much like it does with the AirPods Pro. This will also simplify the product lineup, since there will only be one model of standard AirPods to choose from.

Based on the new design of the earbuds themselves, the AirPods charging case will also likely morph into something closer in style to that of the AirPods Pro. Leaked images and renders show it coming in at around the same height, but slightly narrower in width.