https://www.techradar.com/news/brand-new-airpods-wireless-charging-case-discovered-in-ios-12-beta-images

We’ve long suspected that AirPods 2 would be AirPower-compatible – in fact, we’re almost surprised it’s taking this long for it to happen. But it appears the wait for wireless charging AirPods will soon be over as a new image from the iOS 12 beta clearly shows a new case alongside a new version number for the AirPods. 

The obvious change here is the addition of an external LED – a small but important change over the current iteration of the charging case which packs the LED inside the case. The likely reason for this is to give users a visual indication when the case is fully charged after it’s been laying on an AirPower charging pad.