Apple Now Selling Standalone USB-C AirPods Pro Case for $99

[MacRumors]

Apple today began selling a MagSafe USB-C AirPods Pro 2 Case on a standalone basis, allowing customers who own the Lightning charging case to upgrade to USB-C.

The standalone USB-C AirPods Pro Case is priced at $99 from Apple's online store, and the listing was first noticed by The Verge.

Orders placed today for the USB-C charging case will deliver to customers between December 27 and January 2, which is after the Christmas holiday.

Apple introduced a new version of the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Charging Case in September, but at the time, there was no option to buy a USB-C case on its own. Customers with the Lightning-based AirPods Pro 2 had no upgrade path, but those who want to have USB-C charging across all of their devices can now pay a $99 fee to get the new version.

The USB-C Charging Case is compatible with the second-generation AirPods Pro. It continues to offer MagSafe charging as well, just like the Lightning model.

In addition to a USB-C port, the USB-C Charging Case also provides improved IP54 dust resistance, but it will not add lossless audio for the Vision Pro, which is a feature added to the updated AirPods Pro 2 that come with the USB-C Charging Case.

Article Link: Apple Now Selling Standalone USB-C AirPods Pro Case for $99

 

[magicMac]

Does the new case allow users to get lossless support on Vision Pro?

 

[xraydoc]

Does the new case allow users to get lossless support on Vision Pro?

I can’t imagine that’s possible.

 

[Djones96]

About time, Apple. I think anyone that bought the 15 series and had the lightening version was waiting for this. (Including me)

 

[coachgq]

Now we need all the other accessories converted. And a case for $99 when you can have the full setup with updated pods for $189 as they've been on sale many times already. Also not available until after Christmas so people will just buy the whole set.

 

[vegetassj4]

Would be interesting if I could check what the remaining battery capacity/lifespan is on my AirPods Pro. Not to mention the lifespan of the device itself, one of my AirPods Pro is failing (it was purchased at initial releas time though).

 

[CarAnalogy]

Does the new case allow users to get lossless support on Vision Pro?

I can’t imagine that’s possible.

To my knowledge Apple has never publicly commented on this in the first place. The only mention was a WWDC developer session which I believe is technically not meant as public facing announcements. Apple may never explain. It may have always been possible with the second generation.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Would be interesting if I could check what the remaining battery capacity/lifespan is on my AirPods Pro. Not to mention the lifespan of the device itself, one of my AirPods Pro is failing (it was purchased at initial releas time though).

It does seem to be the last device without a battery health display in settings. That and ironically the Mac as well I believe.

 

[DougTheImpaler]

I was excited when I started reading this headline, but pricing on this is kinda ridiculous. It's 40% of the price of the current Air Pods Pro. $50, sure it'd be a no brainer. But I suppose if it was a no-brainer, people with older 1st Gen Pros (which I have) wouldn't get tempted to just upgrade.

 

[rwilliams]

Looks like they’re not gonna be ready before Christmas. December 27th is the earliest date I’ve seen.

 

[dz5b609]

Interesting, still have enough lightning devices but there may come a point in the future when my Airpods would be my only lightning device and then maybe I would be interested in this. Although at that point I'll probably need new airpods because of battery issues on the pods themselves.

 

[sw1tcher]

Does the new case allow users to get lossless support on Vision Pro?

No. The updated H2 chip found in the new AirPods Pro that supports the 5GHz band for lossless audio is in the AirPods Pro itself, not the USB-C case.

Apple Explains Why Only USB-C AirPods Pro Support Lossless Audio With Vision Pro

In a video interview with Brian Tong, Apple's VP of Sensing and Connectivity Ron Huang explained why only the updated second-generation AirPods...

www.macrumors.com

Huang revealed that the H2 chip in the USB-C AirPods Pro supports the 5GHz band of wireless frequencies for ultra-low latency and less interference, while the H2 chip in the original second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning case is limited to the 2.4GHz band. Apple says it is this 5GHz support that enables the updated AirPods Pro to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro, which is slated for release in the U.S. in early 2024.

 

[techno-Zen]

I have zero need for this with wireless charging

 

[ned1]

Over priced and will result in yet more landfill from discarded lightening cases - great green credentials Apple

 

[wabisabizo]

So will this case be compatible with 1st Gen AirPods Pro?

 

[msackey]

This is a surprising development! Anyhow, I wonder if an AirPods Pro case (Lightning) were replaced under warranty, would Apple at this point replace it with a USB C version? Or, better yet, ask the customer which one they prefer.

 

[victorvictoria]

Why would anyone buy these? AirPods Pro have wireless charging. Put the $99 toward something nice for the spouse!

 

[cateye]

yaaaaaas. Die, Lightning. Die, die, die.

Why would anyone buy these? AirPods Pro have wireless charging. Put the $99 toward something nice for the spouse!

I might buy this. Or may just wait a little bit until the batteries in my Lightning APP2's start to fail and buy a whole new set with USB-C. I don't wireless charge them because they're in a case that's thick enough to prevent a good connection, and most everything else I have is already USB-C. Really, of the things I use with any regularity, it's just my APP2's, my 13 Pro, and my wife's older iPad Air 3 that's left.

See? Everyone's happy now! Well, of course, except for the Church of Lightning acolytes, sobbing into their vestments.

 

[Alendrix]

You also can't engrave the standalone case purchase, not seeing any option to do so.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

100$ to upgrade to USB C 😆

 

[deebinem]

I was excited when I started reading this headline, but pricing on this is kinda ridiculous. It's 40% of the price of the current Air Pods Pro. $50, sure it'd be a no brainer. But I suppose if it was a no-brainer, people with older 1st Gen Pros (which I have) wouldn't get tempted to just upgrade.

Yeah I started to get excited as well BUT dig a little deeper and even at $99, it is pointless for us with 1st Gens as it does state AirPods Pro 2 Case.

 

[JPack]

Good thing I chose the USB-C version instead of trying to save $10 by buying the old Lightning version.

The pricing is nuts. The case costs the same as the entire set of regular AirPods.

 

[scrapesleon]

at that price might as well buy some new AirPods

 

[Vaporbaked94]

It does seem to be the last device without a battery health display in settings. That and ironically the Mac as well I believe.

No, it’s been on Mac for a little while. It’s AirPods and iPads that don’t have battery capacity in settings.

 

[name99]

About time, Apple. I think anyone that bought the 15 series and had the lightening version was waiting for this. (Including me)

Honestly I think you're better off instead buying the Apple Magsafe Charger. It's cheaper (you will need a wall plug that can deliver more than 5W, but those aren't very expensive, and plenty already have one or two; if not get an Anker one from AMZ).

End result is you will have easier charging than Lightning OR USB-C (just place the case on the Magsafe charger) and at lower cost...