Apple Not Offering USB-C AirPods Pro Cases As a Standalone Purchase

[fwmireault]

Can't believe there are still people who defend Apple's decision to switch to USB-C. They did it to make us buy all the accessories once again.

Many people rightfully said that USB-C is not worth alone of upgrading, and that they will happily buy new AirPods with USB-C once their current pair dies or if a new generation comes out. Nobody, even Apple, is forcing you to change right now all your devices to usb-c, and your lightning AirPods will still work fine for years.

 

[tobybrut]

I’m not so sure this is correct. I think there’s confusion between what’s in the AirPods Pro 2 section of Apple’s website and the Vision Pro section.

Here’s what the website says under Vision Pro: “And if you want to use headphones with Apple Vision Pro, the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) offer the perfect experience, featuring Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency enabled by the H2 chip in both devices.”

Here’s what the website says under AirPods Pro 2: “Available with Apple Vision Pro (based on country availability) when paired with AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) with the latest firmware.” This statement is mentioned in the footnotes of the AirPods Pro 2 section.

But higher up in the AirPods section, it reads as such: “AirPods Pro will pair with Apple Vision Pro (available early next year in the U.S.) to deliver Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency, for an unprecedented sound experience.1 Both feature the H2 chip, communicating at industry-shattering speed and unlocking a revolutionary new format rendering pure, uncompressed sound in real time.”

I think this is where the confusion comes in. The first sounds like it’s just AirPods Pro 2 without caring what the case is while the second pairs the USB-C case with the AirPods.

Meanwhile in multiple places, it says the pairing of H2 is what makes it possible for the lossless audio. The AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning case has an H2 chip. I don’t think there’s any difference whatsoever between the AirPods Pro 2 that come in the Lightning case versus the USB-C case.

I think this story is flat out wrong. There will likely be a subsequent firmware update that will allow the Lightning case version of the AirPods Pro 2 to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro. When the website is saying it requires the H2 and the Lightning version has the H2, how can this be reconciled?

 

[Davelfc]

But but, you'll be paying with recycled dollars!

I use GBP but digital as it’s better for the environment

 

[crsh1976]

Why does Apple hate their customers so much?

Oh no, you got that wrong - no matter how many greedy moves like this one Apple pulls, more people buy their stuff.

Consumerism is alive and well.

 

[Wanted797]

Mother Nature wont be happy, they’re about as green as my red shirt.

Why? Producing millions of empty cases just so people can have usb C is inherently wasteful.

 

[Chet-NYC]

Many customers do not use a lightning cable to charge their AirPods, or their phones... but use a MagSafe charger, whether it be Apple or another company's.

I have an Otterbox two in one- for my watch and phone. When my APP need charging, I flip the phone pad to horizontal and pop the AirPods on there. They're charged up in less than an hour.

I am convinced that a huge number of people do not look to see what actually has improved, but only look for where they can criticize and vent and complain. Sorry, your iPhone or Mac is never going to wash the dishes, walk the dog, or vacuum the floors.

 

[Neepman]

This illogical fetish for the USB-C connector that is clearly an inferior choice for a mobile device befuddles me.

 

[MuppetGate]

Yeah, they probably don’t want people to rush out to buy new charging cases just for a new connector when they have perfectly fine lightning cases.

Or Apple has AirPods Pro 3 coming soon and don’t want you to buy this to only collect dust after you buy the new ones

That’s just it. Why would anyone spend money to replace just the case? The old case works. You obviously have a lightning cable already, or you charge it wirelessly.

 

[Rychiar]

Who would pay for a standalone case just for USB C? Wirelessly charge them. I’ve never even plugged mine in but i’d rather just buy new ones on sale than pay for that case

 

[braket]

Don’t all the 2nd gen AirPods Pro already include MagSafe? I think I’ve only used the Lightning connector on mine like twice.

 

[Kung]

Can't believe there are still people who defend Apple's decision to switch to USB-C. They did it to make us buy all the accessories once again. It's pure planned obsolescence and you're defending this.

Not defending them...but I literally need no new accessories. I've already got USB-C cables and the like for all my other devices. Only difference is that now the new iPhone 15 will be able to use them. *shrug* Only thing that won't use USB-C is my AirPods 2 Pro...and I can use a USB-C to Lightning cable for those if I want to charge via my phone...and I already HAVE that cable.

 

[randomando]

What a ****** move. Care about preventing waste and the environment at all my a$ s!!!!
When I see stuff like this I disgust myself for actually having liked and still like their products.

So users purchasing a case for something when they already have a case AND they already have a lighting cable is not waste?

 

[tbsteph1]

Apple on Tuesday made second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case available to order, but unlike its move to wireless charging cases, the company isn't offering the USB-C case as a standalone purchase.

Apple's decision not to offer the USB-C case as a separate purchase is likely a marketing one related to the fact that the updated second-generation AirPods Pro feature improved IP54-rated dust resistance, and will support up to 4 hours of lossless audio with ultra-low latency when connected to the Apple Vision Pro headset launching in early 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1701798958723703144

Regardless, the lack of an option to purchase the USB-C case separately is likely to frustrate customers who already own second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning port and plan to upgrade to an iPhone 15, which features a USB-C port for the first time. Those wanting to charge all their devices with one cable will need to buy the new USB-C to Lightning adapter ($29), while those who want to future-proof for Apple Vision Pro compatibility will have to buy a completely new pair of AirPods Pro costing $249.

Article Link: Apple Not Offering USB-C AirPods Pro Cases As a Standalone Purchase

I wonder what Mother Nature has to say about this?

 

[needsomecoffee]

Given the functional battery life of a pair of Airpods is a few years at best, natural turnover means no lightening cases anywhere pretty quick. Good thing Apple is carbon neutral. Couple hundred million Airpods a year into the bin. Octavia (oops MotherN) is proud (she likely is an Apple Shareholder). Where is the Fairphone option Tim/Lisa with a HPJ for those who want it ??

 

[Umacga]

Can't believe there are still people who defend Apple's decision to switch to USB-C. They did it to make us buy all the accessories once again. It's pure planned obsolescence and you're defending this.

Its not planned obsolescence when it's actually obsolete, and Lightning is. They should have switched years ago like they did for Macs and iPads. Now, I'll agree with those who argue that Lightning is physically a more robust design and better for mobile. Maybe in a different world Lightning would have evolved and become the standard that USB-C is, but it didn't. The real world has moved on.

And what are all these accessories you're talking about? For the most part, it's cords, and there are tons of USB-C cords available. The new iPhone comes with one. For the others, there's a cheap adapter.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I charge wirelessly, so I don't care. As a matter of fact, I didn't even know my case used Lightning... lol

 

[Kung]

Its not planned obsolescence when it's actually obsolete, and Lightning is. They should have switched years ago like they did for Macs and iPads. Now, I'll agree with those who argue that Lightning is physically a more robust design and better for mobile. Maybe in a different world Lightning would have evolved and become the standard that USB-C is, but it didn't. The real world has moved on.

And what are all these accessories you're talking about? For the most part, it's cords, and there are tons of USB-C cords available. The new iPhone comes with one. For the others, there's a cheap adapter.

That's what I'm saying. For example, here's the stuff I have:

- Earbuds - they're AirPods Pro 2.
- Cables - I got tons of them for other devices.
- Adapters - only one I had was a lightning to 3/8" jack for a set of Samsung earbuds. Haven't used them w/my iPhone since I got the AirPods Pro 2.

ONLY new accessory I'll need is a stand so I can use Standby...but I haven't had that already, so it's nothing I'll be 'replacing.'

If one only has Lightning cables, I can see the issue...but I routinely read about people complaining about 'how all of their other devices use USB-C' so I'm not sure where all these people are who have tons of Lightning cables and *NO* USB-C cables.

 

[Duncan-UK]

just asking, why do you need AirpodsPro with the Vision Pro? I thought it has integrated speakers and mics?

You stick them up your nose

 

[MLMcMillion]

There are (allegedly) millions of Air pod pro users out there. Did people honestly think that Apple was going to allow these millions of pro users to purchase a standalone USB C charging case (would be less than $100 probably) for their already existing air pods when Apple knows they can restrict by saying users can only gets a USB C charging case with a new pair of air pod pro's ($249). Apple is all about money, do not think otherwise.

Yes, because that's _exactly_ what they did when they released the wireless charging version of the case.

 

[fwmireault]

Yes, because that's _exactly_ what they did when they released the wireless charging version of the case.

They did that only for AirPods 2. When they added MagSafe, and later Apple Watch charging to AirPods Pro, they didn't sell a separate case

 

[ksgant]

Thankfully I waited to upgrade. I'm still on the first generation Airpod Pros. But I would be livid if I had bought the Airpod Pro 2's like two months ago.

Then again, it's just a cable. "Charging everything on one cable" never comes into play for me as I have multiple devices and often have to charge 2 or 3 at the same time as it is.

 

[Roller]

I’m not so sure this is correct. I think there’s confusion between what’s in the AirPods Pro 2 section of Apple’s website and the Vision Pro section.

Here’s what the website says under Vision Pro: “And if you want to use headphones with Apple Vision Pro, the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) offer the perfect experience, featuring Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency enabled by the H2 chip in both devices.”

Here’s what the website says under AirPods Pro 2: “Available with Apple Vision Pro (based on country availability) when paired with AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) with the latest firmware.” This statement is mentioned in the footnotes of the AirPods Pro 2 section.

But higher up in the AirPods section, it reads as such: “AirPods Pro will pair with Apple Vision Pro (available early next year in the U.S.) to deliver Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency, for an unprecedented sound experience.1 Both feature the H2 chip, communicating at industry-shattering speed and unlocking a revolutionary new format rendering pure, uncompressed sound in real time.”

I think this is where the confusion comes in. The first sounds like it’s just AirPods Pro 2 without caring what the case is while the second pairs the USB-C case with the AirPods.

Meanwhile in multiple places, it says the pairing of H2 is what makes it possible for the lossless audio. The AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning case has an H2 chip. I don’t think there’s any difference whatsoever between the AirPods Pro 2 that come in the Lightning case versus the USB-C case.

I think this story is flat out wrong. There will likely be a subsequent firmware update that will allow the Lightning case version of the AirPods Pro 2 to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro. When the website is saying it requires the H2 and the Lightning version has the H2, how can this be reconciled?

I agree. And if there is a difference, Apple should say that there are two different versions of the AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning vs. USB-C charging case).

 

[cyanite]

I find it kinda funny how people actually believe the lack of a USB-C port on these were really for environmental purposes.

The what? Lack of USB-C port?

Mother Nature wont be happy, they’re about as green as my red shirt.

You know what would make Mother Nature more happy? If you just use your existing product and don't buy a new, since the existing one works just fine.

Looks like Apple got really pi$$ed off by their forced move to make devices USB-C compatible and now want to relay part of their anger to the customers…

Everything Apple does pisses some people off. Your existing products didn't stop working.

Why does Apple hate their customers so much?

The drama...

 

[Lakersfan74]

Can't believe there are still people who defend Apple's decision to switch to USB-C. They did it to make us buy all the accessories once again. It's pure planned obsolescence and you're defending this.

They had to switch by the time the 17 came out due to EU regulations. And since you’re against USB-C, I guess you’re not buying any more future phones

 

[CarAnalogy]

For this exact reason I was holding off to purchase the AirPods Pro 2. It would not be that hard for Apple to sell an updated USB-C case for 29$ together with an enclosed apology letter they should have migrated to USB-C 5+ years ago.

Considering the issues I've had with APP1 even though I love them, I too was holding out for 2 for this reason. Hopefully the manufacturing issues are sorted out and they won't start crackling after a few months.