Apple earlier this week made the final iOS 16.4 beta available to beta testers and developers. Apple included mentions of the updated Beats Studio+ and AirPods in the update. The new AirPods mentioned in this update are probably the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C version, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Regarding the references in iOS 16.4, Kuo provided the following explanation in a tweet today:
The AirPods mentioned in iOS 16.4 have a model number of A3048 and an A2968 case model. Some are asking why the AirPods themselves have a new model number in addition to the new case model number in response to Kuo’s tweet.
Kuo has previously said that charging for next models of AirPods would take place through USB-C. Kuo predicted that Apple’s other accessories, including AirPods, will also transition to USB-C with the iPhone last year. This covers iPhone accessories like the MagSafe Battery Pack as well as accessories for Macs like the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse.
A new piece of law in the European Union is one of the reasons Apple is implementing USB-C on its devices. Companies have until December 28, 2024, under the regulations, to abide with the requirement.