AirPods 2 might wirelessly charge from 0-10 in 15 minutes

Image: lili sams / Mashable

We’re starting to get a good picture of what Apple’s second-generation AirPods might look like.

A new rumor suggests the tentatively named AirPods 2 might come with a wireless charging case — Apple promised the case along with AirPower way back at the iPhone X launch, but neither has shipped — that might be able to quickly charge from 0 to 100 percent in about 15 minutes.

The rumor comes from leaker Max Weinbach (via 9to5Mac) who made an appearance on a recent EverythingApplePro video to talk about new AirPods features.

Weinbach says “wireless charging will happen” and the 0 to 100 percent wireless charging speed is for both the AirPods and the case.

The AirPods 2 wireless charging case will reportedly use Qi-based wireless charging just like the iPhone 8, X, XS, XS Max, and XR.

Weinbach cautioned the fast wireless charging could come with some downsides: it’ll be “bigger in one direction and heavier.”

If true, the wireless charging would be quite the leap from the wired charging supported with AirPods, which take about 30 minutes to full charge both the case and the earbuds.

As 9to5Mac notes, Weinbach doesn’t have a reliable track record for leaking details on new Apple products. At least not on the same kind of consistent and reliable pace serial leakers like Evan Blass (@evleaks) and Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks). As such, it goes without saying his claims should be taken with a heavy spoonful of salt.

With so many rumors flying, it seems likely Apple’s preparing new AirPods for release soon — though it might also not launch until the fall. Previous rumors suggest AirPods 2 might come in a black finish and sport a new grippier texture on at least some parts of the earbuds. Other reports claim Apple will include new sensors for more advanced health-tracking functions and hands-free Siri voice controls.

Apple is expected to hold an event in late March according to Buzzfeed, although new hardware announcements are up in the air. Buzzfeed says the event will focus on services — namely, a new subscription-based Apple News and possibly a video streaming service — and it’s unlikely the rumored AirPods 2 and iPad mini 5 will be announced.

If you’re on the fence for buying AirPods, now might be a good time to wait. If the new AirPods don’t materialize by the time the event wraps, go right ahead and buy a pair because new ones probably won’t be coming until the fall.