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Apple lets AirPods Pro owners upgrade to USB-C

By Simon Cohen December 13, 2023

Apple AirPods Pro Second Gen charging case with USB-C. — Caleb Denison / Digital Trends

Apple now sells the USB-C version of its AirPods Pro Gen 2 charging case on its own, which is good news for anyone who wants to switch to USB-C charging for their existing second-gen AirPods Pro. However, the switch from lightning to USB-C will come with a hefty premium: Apple is asking $99 for the , as noted by the Verge, or half the price that’s currently advertised on Amazon for a new, complete set of AirPods Pro second-gen with USB-C.

Apple AirPods Pro Second Gen charging case with USB-C and charging case with Lightning. — Apple AirPods Pro second-gen charging case with USB-C (left) and the second-gen charging case with Lightning. Caleb Denison / Digital Trends

The bad news for folks who own the earlier AirPods Pro Gen 2 earbuds (and who like their Lightning-equipped charging case) is that Apple is now all-in on USB-C. It no longer sells replacement AirPods Pro Gen 2 cases with Lightning, and after some quick googling, it looks like very few retailers carry them either. You may still find it as a refurbished item on sites like Walmart.

Still, the USB-C variant of the case — which has UWB for more accurate location tracking, plus a built-in speaker — is fully compatible with any version of the AirPods Pro Gen 2 earbuds (though not the first-gen, so buyer beware), even if you originally bought yours with an Apple Lightning connector. It also has the benefit of being dust and water resistant with an IP54 rating. The Lighting version was only water resistant at IPX4.

If you’re thinking of switching to USB-C right away, or perhaps you’re thinking the standalone case might make for a good holiday gift, you may want to adjust your plans. Arrival ship dates for most major U.S. cities appears to be starting on December 26 as of today (December 13).

Alternatively, you might simply want to wait. There’s a good chance that Apple will offer a full revamp of the AirPods Pro sometime in 2024, and if they come with some of the features we’re hoping for, they’ll likely be some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy.

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Contributing Editor, A/V

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CASETiFY Evangelion Type-01 AirPods Pro 2 case front side view.

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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 the AirPods Pro case.

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.)

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Skullcandy’s new earbuds mimic the AirPods Pro for just $100

Skullcandy Rail in charging case.

Skullcandy's latest wireless earbuds are packed with features, and in typical Skullcandy fashion, they're priced much lower than the competition. The new Skullcandy Rail ($80) and Rail ANC ($100) look very similar to Apple's AirPods Pro 2, and in the case of the Rail ANC, they possess many of the same features. Both models are available on Skullcandy.com starting June 13.

Each Rail model uses the same shape and silicone eartips to seal your ear canal, with touch controls on both earbuds, however, the Rail ANC use transparent plastic for the inside half of the earbud, and they have an extra set of microphones. Here's what you can expect from each Rail version.
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