If you’re a devoted iPhone, iPad, MacBook or even Apple TV user, you’ve likely purchased some of the best Apple headphones to assure an optimal listening experience. For those who prefer their audio in true wireless form, nothing beats the AirPods Pro 2.
These cordless porcelain danglers boast a ton of functionality, including adaptive active noise cancellation, spatial audio and various smart features that streamline usability across Apple’s cohesive ecosystem of products. However, the first-gen AirPods Pro 2 caught serious flack for not adopting modern technologies standard on most, if not all, wireless earbuds — USB-C being the most crucial.
Apple finally changed course after some legislative pressure, leading to the creation of the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C. The announcement was met with praise, but was also a gut punch to those who already purchased the original model. Not every Apple user is comfortable spending an extra $250 on buds that perform so similarly to their predecessor, at least according to the spec sheet.
I’m here to tell you that the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are a much bigger deal than you think and a significant upgrade to one of the market’s best true wireless earbuds. It’s not just the new charging specification that makes a difference. Apple implemented several other tweaks that haven’t received much publicity, but are greatly beneficial and well worth the purchase.
Here are three reasons why existing AirPods 2 owners may want to consider upgrading to the new USB-C model.
With a universal charging port, improved durability and slightly enhanced sound design, the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are a notable upgrade over the Lightning model.
Read our review
Universal charging
USB-C is currently the most accepted charging technology for portable electronics, from headphones to portable speakers to smartphones. It delivers a faster charge and higher power (up to 4.5 watts) than Apple’s Lightning connector. Furthermore, USB-C makes these buds reverse-charge-compatible with the latest iPhone models, meaning you can juice up the charging case by absorbing power from your Apple smartphone. It’s also just convenient, as you can charge your AirPods case with the same cable you’re probably already using for your MacBook and iPad, rather than dig around for a specific Lightning cord.
This version of the AirPods Pro 2 offers the same battery life (up to 30 hours) and supplementary charging options as its Lightning counterpart, including MagSafe wireless charging, Qi-enabled wireless charging, and Apple Watch charging.
If USB-C is the only upgrade you’re interested in, Apple sells the charging case with USB-C port separately on its website for $99 — saving you some serious cash over buying a brand new pair of $250 buds.
More durable than the previous version
Apple doesn’t advertise it much, but the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C have been given a stronger durability rating. The previous entry only provided sweat and water resistance (IPX4), whereas the newer model adds increased dirt resistance (IP54) to the equation. This applies to both the charging case and earbuds. You’re given enough protection to keep these buds kicking a little longer, depending on how much you use them daily.
For comparison, category leaders such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM5 come with IPX4 certification.
Advanced sound design
According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C feature improved acoustic architecture. Some experts say the buds’ audio quality is cleaner and more refined. Truthfully, it takes a listener with detailed hearing to identify the intricacies in sound. No one outside of Apple knows whether these modifications were made on the hardware or software end.
Apple also announced 20-bit/48kHz lossless audio support for the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, bringing ultra-low latency to the Apple Vision Pro. We didn’t notice a massive difference in quality when going from our iPhone to our Vision Pro during testing, but those who already splurged on Apple’s pricey mixed reality headset and want to future-proof themselves for the best wireless audio performance possible should consider the USB-C AirPods Pro.
What to do with your old AirPods Pro
Apple doesn’t accept AirPods as part of its trade-in program due to sanitary reasons. That being the case, your best bet is to keep them. The AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning connector still deliver high performance in terms of connectivity, noise cancellation and sound, and serve as an excellent backup.
Another option is selling them via third-party marketplace like Back Market, Decluttr or eBay. Back Market and Declutter are currently offering up to $48 and $32 respectively for a pair of AirPods Pro, but that’s if they’re in excellent condition. Something else to consider is passing them along to a family member or friend in need of premium buds for their new iPhone.
What the future holds…
Don’t expect the AirPods Pro 3 to debut anytime soon. In the meantime, Apple has done a magnificent job of making the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C future-proof. The operational enhancements help extend the model’s shelf life by about 2 years.
Apple consistently rolls out iOS updates that add new functions and listening modes to their flagship buds. Adaptive Audio was one of the big ones introduced via iOS 17 and combines ANC and Transparency modes to create the best sound profile based on noise levels.
Apple’s H2 processor and remarkable ecosystem integration leave the door open for extended functionality over the coming months, and the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C certainly put you at the front of the line.
