Starting Today, Apple will be offering a standalone option to purchase the AirPods Pro 2 Case with USB-C and MagSafe for $99, as first spotted by The Verge. The case will serve both as a replacement for the revised 2nd generation AirPods Pro model released in September and will also support the AirPods Pro 2nd generation which were launched with the Lightning Case.
According to Apple, “The MagSafe Charging Case (USB”‘C) for AirPods Pro (2nd generation)¹ includes the U1 chip with Precision Finding² to help you quickly identify the location of your case. And if you’re nearby but can’t find it, you can play a sound from the built-in speaker. A lanyard loop³ lets you attach your case to a backpack or handbag, so it’s always within reach. And the MagSafe Charging Case is built to brave the elements, with IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance.â´ Charge the MagSafe Charging Case with an Apple Watch or MagSafe charger. You can also use a USB”‘C connector or Qi-certified charger.”
This is a great chance for users with a pair of AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning case to upgrade to a USB-C Case. If you’ve owned the Lightning pair for over a year, chances are that you will notice an improvement in the battery life of the new case due to normal battery degradation on the old case.
Apple states, “AirPods Pro (2nd generation) product features are determined by the charging case originally shipped with the earbuds and are not impacted by a change in charging case.” This indicates that switching from a Lightning case to a USB-C case will not enable support for Lossless Audio with Vision Pro. To avail of that functionality, customers need to purchase an entirely new set of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C for $249, although they often go on sale, with it recently costing just $189 for a brand new pair.
Apart from the USB-C Port, the new case also comes with an IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance, which is an upgrade from the IPX4 rating on the Lightning case. One more thing to note is that the standalone case does not offer an option to add engraving, which is available when you purchase an entirely new set from Apple.
Will you be getting the new USB-C Charging Case for your AirPods Pro (2nd generation)? Let us know down in the comments or tweet to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!