Alongside its USB-C iPhone 15, Apple today also unveiled a version of its second-gen AirPods Pro with a USB-C MagSafe charging case.
The updated wireless earbuds are available to preorder now for $249 and ship on Sept. 22. With the USB-C version, you can charge the new Mac, iPad, AirPods, and iPhone 15 lineup with the same cable, Apple says. You can also charge the AirPods Pro by plugging them directly into an iPhone 15.
The version we reviewed last year had Apple's proprietary Lightning charger and came with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable for wired charging. The case supports wireless charging, too. But as MacRumors notes, Apple is not currently selling the USB-C charging case as a standalone purchase for those who already have second-gen AirPods Pro with a Lightning case.
The USB-C AirPods Pro are now rated IP54, making them dust, sweat, and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, Apple says. Previously, they were IPX4-rated for sweat and water resistance, which we found to be "underwhelming, especially as many competing models offer fully waterproof ratings including the cheaper $199.99 Jabra Elite 7 Pro (IP57)."
When used with the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro, the newest AirPods Pro will support 20-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio to reduce audio latency "for exceptional entertainment, gaming, FaceTime calls, and so much more," Apple says.
When iOS 17 debuts next week, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with the USB-C and Lightning charging cases will get a three more features. The first is Adaptive Audio, a new listening mode that automatically toggles between Transparency Mode with Active Noise Cancellation depending on the sound in a user's environment. This essentially automates having to switch modes yourself. Apple argues it also improves safety by helping users "stay aware of their surroundings" if needed.
Similarly, a new Conversation Awareness feature automatically lowers the volume when someone begins speaking to the AirPods wearer. A third feature, dubbed Personalized Volume, uses machine learning to learn and predict the volume the wearer wants based on past preferences and adjustments.