Apple Introduces Updated AirPods Pro and EarPods With USB-C and More

In addition to the iPhone 15 models getting a USB-C port, Apple today announced that the second-generation AirPods Pro are now available to order with a USB-C charging case for $249, and the wired EarPods now come in a USB-C version as well.

AirPods USB C Port
The updated second-generation AirPods Pro ship with a USB-C charging case, but the case is not sold separately at this time on Apple's online store. Additionally, the updated second-generation AirPods Pro include improved IP54-rated dust resistance for the earbuds and case, and will support lossless audio when connected to the Apple Vision Pro headset launching in early 2024. No other changes were announced.

Apple said the updated second-generation AirPods Pro will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Friday, September 22.

Apple continues to sell EarPods with a Lightning connector and with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Launch Is Just One Month Out – Here's Everything We Know

Saturday August 10, 2024 5:00 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series in the fall, and a possible September 10 announcement date has been floated this year, which means we are just one month away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design...
macbook pro bb cyber

Apple's M3 MacBook Pro Gets Up to $1,000 Off In Major New Sales, Starting at $1,299 [Updated]

Sunday August 11, 2024 1:54 pm PDT by
Apple's M3 MacBook Pro is seeing multiple high value discounts on Best Buy and Amazon today, with up to $1,000 off select models. This includes a new all-time low price on the entry-level M3 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro at $1,299.00, down from $1,599.00, and a massive $1,000 discount on the high-end 16-inch model exclusively for Best Buy members. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best...
iPhone 16 Pro Right Side Feature

The iPhone 16 is Getting a New Button: Here's What It Can Do

Tuesday August 13, 2024 4:01 pm PDT by
Multiple rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode. Apple calls the button the Capture Button internally, and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that's been introduced to date with support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to ...
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18.1 Beta 2 and iOS 18 Beta 6

Monday August 12, 2024 2:32 pm PDT by
Apple is beta testing iOS 18 and the first update to iOS 18 concurrently, and we got the second betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 today alongside the sixth betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15. Many of the changes in iOS 18.1 are focused on bringing the .1 betas in line with the standard betas, which recently received updates to Photos and Safari, while...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Thursday August 8, 2024 4:40 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 2

Next Year's Slim iPhone 17 Could Be an 'iPhone Air'

Monday August 12, 2024 8:43 am PDT by
Apple's rumored iPhone 17 "Slim" could be positioned as an iPhone "Air" to boost sales, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained how the "fourth" model in the iPhone lineup since 2020 (the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus) has largely been a commercial failure. In the case of the Plus model,...

Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
12 months ago

Such a stupid change. Keeping lightning would have been better. Delusional.
Why? The new iPhones feature USB-C charging cables; and most AirPod users will own an iPhone.
MacBooks and iPads are now charged via USB-C.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
12 months ago
USB C should be very nice!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arsenikdote Avatar
12 months ago

Such a stupid change. Keeping lightning would have been better. Delusional.

First of all, having one cable for Mac, iPad, iPhone, AirPods is waaay better.
Second of all, it wasn't Apple's choice. The EU forced their hand

Then remove Apple Watch wireless charging and include a USB-C port.

And also remove the MagSafe port from MacBook.

Using your logic...
The point you are intentionally ignoring or are not understanding is that consolidating the types of cables someone needs to posses is considered a benefit by most people. Consolidation down to no choice might not be, but reduction to redundant types is a benefit. For example, wireless charging and wired charging are different methods each having different benefits/trade offs. Lightning has become redundant to USB C and is a layer deeper now splitting the wired options. Since fewer Apple products use lightning than USB C, it makes sense to remove this redundancy in wired charging options, also thereby reducing the number of physical cables a user needs to have.

From a consolidation perspective it is not delusional, it is helpful. Plus as you have also conveniently ignored, they were forced to make the change on the iPhone, further increasing the need to consolidate the redundancy of wired charging/data cable options.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2010mini Avatar
12 months ago
Thank you European Union for forcing Apple to switch to USB-C.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
12 months ago
https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/12/23870476/fyi-apples-usb-c-airpods-pro-are-more-durable-than-last-years-pair
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thejadedmonkey Avatar
12 months ago
Any word on the regular Airpods?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)