Apple could finally be working on wireless charging for the AirPods

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Ah, Apple, never change. You know your fans well and you love teasing them for the scraps of information leading up to the grand reveal. You also enjoy trickling out new products and accessories, so your fans can afford all the shiny new things.

While the oft-overlooked Mac mini and MacBook Air recently received updated versions, one of Apple’s hottest products is still waiting for a revamp. We’re talking about the Apple AirPods, and according to one analyst (and a Bluetooth certification), we won’t have long to wait.

New Apple AirPods on the way?

The AirPods are slated for a refresh in the first quarter of 2019, according to the legendary analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo. Well, kind of. The AirPods themselves won’t be getting any changes in the new year, but the case will be upgraded to have wireless charging capabilities.

Apple briefly teased the wireless charging case last year, when the company also teased the might-be-coming-might-be-overheating AirPower charging mat that every Apple household has been waiting for. Kuo doesn’t mention the tardy charging mat, so anyone who decides to pick up the wireless charging AirPods case will have to pick up a third-party solution, like this one from Belkin.

It’s estimated that not much else will change with new AirPods

Apart from the wireless charging case, Kuo reckons that the AirPods will remain largely unchanged next year. In 2020 he forecasts a new version with more up to date Bluetooth radios, hopefully, that includes Bluetooth 5.0 support for Low Energy and Dual Audio, features that have already made it to other true wireless earbuds. Apparently, Kuo also thinks there will be a new design but he’s being understandably tight-lipped about details.

The current AirPods run $159, so expect that price to increase, potentially substantially. With the addition of wireless charging, the new case will also have a new hinge that will support the new feature. There’ll also be a “rigid-flex board” that’s probably Apple-speak for “make them more expensive” in the design.

What do you think? Ready for AirPods wireless charging? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.