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Second-generation AirPods Pro have USB-C now, too

By Phil Nickinson September 12, 2023

Press image / Apple

In one of the least-kept surprises of today’s iPhone 15 event, Apple announced that the second-generation AirPods Pro are switching to USB-C for their charging case.

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That’s a big deal because they’ll now use the same charger as the iPad and MacBook — and also because they can use any other USB-C cable that you’ve got laying around. And because we’re not talking about a device with a huge battery capacity, you don’t need to worry so much about whether you have the right USB-C cable. Things should charge just fine, and fast enough, given that the battery case only sports a 523 mAh battery.

And, of course, there’s still the ability to charge the case wirelessly.

There’s also a small change in dust and water protection. The new AirPods Pro have been improved from IPX4 to IP54, which gives them some protection against dust, and they retain the same protection against water. (Basically they should be OK if splashed, but don’t dunk them.) And there’s also the promise of better wireless audio, with some caveats.

No word yet on when other versions of AirPods may finally make the switch, but you have to figure it’s on the horizon sooner rather than later. The new AirPods Pro will still cost $249 in the U.S. and 30 other countries and will be available starting September 22.

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Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…

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Apple has upgraded the AirPods Pro with lossless audio, sort of

Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C.

Amid the slew of new Apple products launched today, only the tiniest mention was made of the fact that Apple has also given the AirPods Pro Gen 2 wireless earbuds a not-so-minor refresh. Along with the expected addition of USB-C, making the AirPods Pro the first Apple headphones to ditch the Lightning connector, Apple has also given the iconic white noise-canceling earbuds the ability to do lossless audio wirelessly -- something that has never been seen on the AirPods family before, and is even a rarity among non-Apple wireless audio devices.

There is, however, a catch. The "groundbreaking wireless audio protocol" that allows for lossless audio at 20-bit/48 kHz (a better-than-CD-quality resolution) is powered by the AirPods Pro's H2 chip, but for now, it only works when paired with the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset. At the moment, Qualcomm's aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec (when used with compatible wireless headphones and smartphones) is the only technology that supports lossless audio wirelessly, and even that technology is limited to 16-bit/48kHz.

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This accessory turned my AirPods into a giant mech head

You’ve probably heard of a tech accessory brand called Casetify by now. It’s one of the higher-quality brands of tech accessories out there, and it’s particularly known for having a ton of customizable products, as well as many unique collaborations with artists and well-established brands — including Disney, Star Wars, Peanuts, and more.

The Evangelion x Casetify is one of the latest collaborations that the company has launched, and it should appeal to anyone who is a fan of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime and manga series. There was even an “Impact!” launch event in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, where a 4-meter tall, 7-meter wide EVA–01 bust was put on display, with the mecha holding a Casetify Impact case that features an iconic NERV design.

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A new USB-C case may be in AirPods Pro’s future

The Lightning connection on AirPods Pro may be a thing of the past if Apple finally makes the switch to USB-C. Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

One of the worst-kept secrets in Cupertino, California (if anyone's actually trying to keep it, anyway) is that the iPhone 15 is going to switch to USB-C from Apple's proprietary Lightning connection when it's announced later this year. That's likely due in no small part due to the European Union, and generally speaking, it's a good thing because proprietary cables are bad for you, even if they're great for Apple. (And arguably better for the product.)