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Apple Releases Third-Generation AirPods With Non-MagSafe Charging Case

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In addition to unveiling the second-generation AirPods Pro today, Apple made the third-generation AirPods available with a Lightning charging case that lacks MagSafe wireless charging. This version of the case can be charged with a Lightning cable only.

AirPods-3-Charging-Case.jpeg

Pricing for the third-generation AirPods with a Lightning case is set at $169 in the United States, compared to $179 for the third-generation AirPods with a MagSafe case, so it seems like there is very limited value in choosing this new option.

Apple did not announce any other updates to the third-generation AirPods today, and the second-generation AirPods remain available for $129.

The new AirPods Pro feature an H2 chip for improved audio quality and up to 2x the amount of active noise cancellation, improvements to Transparency mode, a revamped charging case with Find My support and a built-in lanyard loop, Bluetooth 5.3, and more.

Article Link: Apple Releases Third-Generation AirPods With Non-MagSafe Charging Case
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/apple-launches-airpods-3-with-lightning-case/
Last edited:
This is probably the best choice for most mainstream consumers, e.g. those buying from Costco.

If iPhone offered reverse wireless charging, then it would be a different story.
 
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The decision is simple: they wanted to save money and probably physical space by not offering both wireless and wired charging in the same device. It's a user option.

The AP3 wireless case can't charge with a cable (like the Apple Watch).

I will likely buy the one that charges from a cable. Wireless would be yet *another* charger to take on the road. I'd buy the non-wireless-charging version even if they were the same price; the $10 discount is a nice bonus but the decision has nothing to do with price and everything to do with convenience.

ALSO, I suspect (but don't know) that if the EU ever decides to require standardization on USB-C chargers, Apple will just stop selling the Lightning-wired version in the EU.
 
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I would guess this was done to have a cheaper version retailers can put on sale often. The retailer could only put the lightning version on sale effectively making the MagSafe more of a premium. This was done with the AirPods 2. The lightning version went on sale far more frequently than the wireless charging version.
 
FlyMeAway said:
The decision is simple: they wanted to save money and probably physical space by not offering both wireless and wired charging in the same device. It's a user option.

The AP3 wireless case can't charge with a cable (like the Apple Watch).

I will likely buy the one that charges from a cable. Wireless would be yet *another* charger to take on the road. I'd buy the non-wireless-charging version even if they were the same price; the $10 discount is a nice bonus but the decision has nothing to do with price and everything to do with convenience.

ALSO, I suspect (but don't know) that if the EU ever decides to require standardization on USB-C chargers, Apple will just stop selling the Lightning-wired version in the EU.
Click to expand...

You've never seen AirPods cases have you? They all have a Lightning port on them.
 
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Blatzman said:
I would guess this was done to have a cheaper version retailers can put on sale often. The retailer could only put the lightning version on sale effectively making the MagSafe more of a premium. This was done with the AirPods 2. The lightning version went on sale far more frequently than the wireless charging version.
Click to expand...
This assumes that a Magsafe-only option is a "premium."

A version that had *both* wired and wireless charging is a "premium." Picking one over the other is just an "option." Lots of people (especially those of us who travel frequently) prefer non-wireless charging and a single cable for our iPhone and accessories. I love having the option for wireless charging, but if I can only have one I'll pick wired.
 
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brofkand said:
You've never seen AirPods cases have you? They all have a Lightning port on them.
Click to expand...
Read the specs for the new ones. They pretty clearly read as either/or.

Check out footnote 7 on the specs page. The Pro works with either, the AP3 works with one or the other.
 
Saladin12 said:
The standard case has MagSafe and Lightning as standard... This is a new SKU with JUST lightning - nothing else has changed...

So you either get AirPods (3rd Gen) with MagSafe + Lightning or just with Lightning
Click to expand...

Disagree. Read the footnotes:

7: MagSafe charging requires a compatible MagSafe charger. Wireless charging requires a Qi‑certified wireless charger. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charging case also works with the Apple Watch charger or Lightning connector.
Click to expand...

This makes it pretty clear that only the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a Magsafe case that *also* has a Lightning connector. Otherwise, the footnote would read "AirProds Pro (2nd generation) AND AirPods (3rd Generation) charging case also works with..."

Otherwise, why call out Lightning specifically for APP2?
 
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FlyMeAway said:
Disagree. Read the footnotes:



This makes it pretty clear that only the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a Magsafe case that *also* has a Lightning connector. Otherwise, the footnote would read "AirProds Pro (2nd generation) AND AirPods (3rd Generation) charging case also works with..."

Otherwise, why call out Lightning specifically for APP2?
Click to expand...
From this page: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MPNY3AM/A/airpods-3rd-generation-with-lightning-charging-case - in Product Information, and then Highlights

"MagSafe Charging Case can be charged either wirelessly using a MagSafe charger or Qi-certified charger or with the Lightning connector"
 
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