Apple has a Christmas bonus for AirPods Professional followers who wish to escape the clutches of Lightning cables. For under $99, you possibly can swap out your outdated AirPods Professional case for a shiny new USB-C model.
Alongside Apple’s legendary change to USB-C on this yr’s iPhone 15 lineup, it additionally launched a refreshed model of its second-generation AirPods Professional with a brand new USB-C charging case.
Nevertheless, sadly, that didn’t assist these of us who already owned a pair; it appeared their solely choice can be to shell out one other $249 for brand new AirPods simply to get the USB-C case since Apple wasn’t promoting it individually — nor had it introduced any plans to take action.
Whereas it turns on the market’s a bit extra to the brand new USB-C AirPods Professional than simply the case, the additional enhancements are far too minor to justify splurging on a brand new pair of AirPods Professional in case you already fortunately personal the second-generation Lightning model.
Aside from the change to USB-C, the brand new AirPods Professional are actually dust-resistant with an improved IP54 score (versus IPX4 on the Lightning AirPods Professional) and also will ship Lossless Audio for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional. That latter one might make them definitely worth the expense in case you plan to purchase a Imaginative and prescient Professional headset subsequent yr, however in case you’re out there for a $3,500 mixed-reality headset, you most likely gained’t have a tough time becoming an additional $250 into your price range.
For folks who merely wish to take away Lightning connectors from their lives, the brand new $99 MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) affords a cheaper approach to get there.
The brand new case gained’t add Lossless Audio for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional since that comes from up to date chips contained in the earbuds that ship contained in the USB-C case. Nevertheless, it appears to be like like you’ll get an improve to IP54 mud and water resistance. It appears the Lightning case was the weak hyperlink that left the earlier AirPods Professional bundle rated at solely IPX4.
Within the wonderful print on its product web page, Apple notes that the “AirPods Professional (2nd technology) and charging case have been examined beneath managed laboratory circumstances, and have a score of IP54 beneath IEC normal 60529.” This means that the earbuds have been dust-resistant all alongside, however for the reason that older Lightning case wasn’t, Apple selected to maintain issues easy by utilizing an IPX4 score for each.
“AirPods Professional (2nd technology) and charging case are mud, sweat, and water-resistant for non-water sports activities and train. AirPods Professional (2nd technology) and charging case have been examined beneath managed laboratory circumstances, and have a score of IP54 beneath IEC normal 60529. Mud, sweat, and water resistance should not everlasting circumstances and resistance would possibly lower because of regular put on. Don’t try to cost moist AirPods Professional (2nd technology).”
The USB-C case in any other case affords the identical options because the Lightning model, simply with a USB-C port as a substitute. Meaning you continue to get a U1 chip for Precision Discovering, a lanyard loop to maintain your AirPods Professional helpful, and MagSafe charging.
The unhealthy information is that you could be not be capable to get a brand new case as a stocking stuffer, because the Apple Retailer is exhibiting post-Christmas supply dates in most areas, they usually don’t look like accessible in-store but. That would change over the following few days, so it’s price holding a watch out in case you’re serious about choosing up a pair earlier than the vacations.