How to Check which version of AirPods Pro?

[kat.hayes]

I just bought what I thought was the newest version of the AirPods Pro from Costco. I was expecting the case to have a USB-C port, however, it has a Lightning port. How can I tell for sure that I have the newest version of the AirPods Pro and not the last version?

Thanks

 

[fwmireault]

Well if you don't have a USB-C port on the case, you already have an answer to your question. You can go on AppleCare website and enter the serial number to see what exact generation this is.

 

[kat.hayes]

I wasn't sure if it came with two options, one with USB-C and one with Lightning....

 

[fwmireault]

The AirPods Pro 2nd gen was just released with a USB-C port. You can find 2nd gen APP with lightning, and it's the exact same technology than the USB-C one, except the dust resistance rating, the charging port, and the lossless audio compatibility with Vision Pro. So you can look on the box or with the serial number which generation you have, but if I had to guess, you probably have lightning 2nd gen AirPods Pro. I would personally return them to get the USB-C ones, but the technology is 99% the same

 

[xraydoc]

I wasn't sure if it came with two options, one with USB-C and one with Lightning....

Apple no longer actively sells the Lightning version on their website. Stores likely have stock left, but the current latest and greatest are the ones with a USB-C port.

There's minor differences between the "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB-C" and "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with Lightning", but there are differences nonetheless if that matters to you.

My suggestion, as others said above, is to return them to Costco and get the USB-C version if you want the absolute latest version. But if it makes charging more complicated for you (like if your phone has Lightning and the AirPods have USB-C), then the choice is yours.

 

[TokyoKiller]

In Canada, Costco is very deliberate in their naming. Don't mind the pricing, its in CAD not USD.

 

[kat.hayes]

Apple no longer actively sells the Lightning version on their website. Stores likely have stock left, but the current latest and greatest are the ones with a USB-C port.

There's minor differences between the "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB-C" and "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with Lightning", but there are differences nonetheless if that matters to you.

My suggestion, as others said above, is to return them to Costco and get the USB-C version if you want the absolute latest version. But if it makes charging more complicated for you (like if your phone has Lightning and the AirPods have USB-C), then the choice is yours.

I am confused; you said that "There's minor differences between the "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB-C" and "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with Lightning","

Are you saying that the one I just bought that has a lightning port on it is still technically a 2nd generation version? That is what I am trying to figure out, whether I was somewhat mislead by Costco advertising the one I have as a 2nd generation AirPods Pro. I was under the impression that that lighting version was 1st gen and the newer release with USB-C is 2nd gen.

Thanks

 

[msackey]

Yes, both are called 2nd generation. The latest 2nd generation can be considered an update (not a new generation).

Read this Wikipedia article for an overall summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPods_Pro

 

[xraydoc]

I am confused; you said that "There's minor differences between the "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB-C" and "AirPods Pro 2nd generation with Lightning","

Are you saying that the one I just bought that has a lightning port on it is still technically a 2nd generation version? That is what I am trying to figure out, whether I was somewhat mislead by Costco advertising the one I have as a 2nd generation AirPods Pro. I was under the impression that that lighting version was 1st gen and the newer release with USB-C is 2nd gen.

Thanks

Yes.

AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro with MagSafe charging case
2nd generation AirPods Pro (which includes MagSafe charging case)
2nd generation AirPods Pro with USB-C (which includes MagSafe charging case)

*1st gen original AirPods Pro has a wireless charging case but didn’t include magsafe magnets.

 

[kat.hayes]

So the main difference with the new USB-C AirPods is the charging port and compatibility with the Vision Pro? The Apple website only shows features for 2nd generation and does not distinguish between the Lighting port and USB-C.

Thanks

 

[xraydoc]

So the main difference with the new USB-C AirPods is the charging port and compatibility with the Vision Pro? The Apple website only shows features for 2nd generation and does not distinguish between the Lighting port and USB-C.

Thanks

And the Vision Pro feature is not compatibly. They’re both compatible — the USB-C one supports lossless audio while the previous versions do not. Pretty minor difference.

Apple’s website doesn’t distinguish because they don’t officially sell the Lightning model anymore (if you look at the specs, it states USB-C).

If you like the ones you have, that’s fine. Like stated above, the only practical difference is the charge connection.

 

[fwmireault]

So the main difference with the new USB-C AirPods is the charging port and compatibility with the Vision Pro? The Apple website only shows features for 2nd generation and does not distinguish between the Lighting port and USB-C.

Thanks

There is also dust resistance rating for the new gen, although it doesn't mean that there is any dust resistance improvement compared to last gen - Just that this one is rated and approved

 

[MasterControlProgram]

I had this when I was buying mine, the store said they were selling me the USB-C ones but I knew they weren‘t. The back of the box will explicitly say USB-C, so if it doesn’t say it you know it’s the Lightning version. They eventually found the new ones out the back as they hadn’t put them out on the shelves.