Apple continues USB-C transition with stand-alone $99 AirPods Professional case

As simple as wi-fi earbuds are to attach, use, and pocket, they’re additionally simple to lose. Whether or not it is the person buds or the charging case that is been misplaced to the ether or destroyed by an errant footstep, each are delicate and simply liable to accident, and the worst half is while you’ve misplaced one piece of the puzzle, it’s important to cough up typically just a few hundred to get your in-ear headset again collectively once more.

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Apple, nevertheless, has excellent news for customers who’ve already purchased – or maybe are shopping for/ receiving the in-ear set for the vacations – a pair of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C support as it’s now providing a sole alternative case.

However there are different individuals who will profit from this quiet product launch, too. This is what you’ll want to learn about getting a alternative case.

This week, Apple simply began promoting the MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) for AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) — that’s, with out the precise earbuds — for $99. Along with USB-C and MagSafe, the case additionally helps wi-fi Qi charging. It is a fairly penny for a pick-me-up, however a far cry from the $249 MSRP for the entire package.

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The case is designed particularly for the AirPods Professional (2nd technology), so whilst you won’t be capable of use your first-gen AirPods Pro with the brand new case (the designs are frustratingly simply totally different sufficient), in case you did buy the 2nd-gen Professionals with the old Lightning-equipped case, now you can improve over to USB-C. You additionally get a tiny bump in IP score from IPX4 to IP54 — the ‘5’ stands for defense in opposition to particulate ingress whereas the ‘4’ is for splashing water, sweat included. The one factor you will nonetheless miss out on even with the brand new case is lossless audio when related to an Apple Vision Pro.

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Virtually talking, if you’ve bought an iPhone 15 series device, you will be extra inclined to purchase the brand new case. Thank the European Union and its legislative heft for pressuring Apple into moving the iPhone away from Lightning and onto USB-C. That mentioned, there’s at all times going to be some ache with such a transition interval and a part of that ache is within the type of electronics waste. A ton of Lightning cables anda good heap of these outdated AirPods Professional 2 charging instances with the Lightning ports could have their helpful lives lower quick. Simply be conscious of that in case you do plan on making the acquisition.

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So, total, it is constructive information for a good few teams of individuals. However those that want to get a alternative case as quickly as attainable are out of luck: The Verge notes that shipments do not start till after Christmas. An order positioned right now might not get onto the doorstep till after the brand new 12 months, relying in your location.

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Apple started promoting alternative charging instances for the AirPods and AirPods 2 back in 2019. The case, which helps Qi and Lightning, is still available from the company today for $79. It might be good to see a alternative case possibility for the AirPods 3, however we’re not holding our collective breath ready for one.