Apple is reportedly working on wired EarPods with a USB-C cable ahead of the iPhone 15 lineup as an AirPods alternative, covered under the “Made for i” program.

As part of the Made for iPhone (MFi) certification program, Apple approves accessories, sells certain parts, and provides a chip to companies for authentication. It’s a way for Apple to ensure that accessories that connect to its iPhone meet quality standards.

ShrimpApplePro says that USB-C MFi cables and a new version of EarPods are in mass production. Apple may release them ahead of the iPhone 15 lineup in the fall of 2023, along with a possible AirPods charging case with a USB-C port.

Apple still sells wired EarPods headphones even though the wireless AirPods have been wildly successful. They’re less expensive, don’t require charging, and a new version will connect to a USB-C iPhone without an adapter.

ShrimpApplePro was responding to another Twitter user — @analyst941 — who claimed that there weren’t going to be any MFi limitations on USB-C iPhones. That rumor refers to a previous rumor which said only the iPhone 15 Pro models would get high-speed data transfer rates through the USB-C port.