Apple has begun offering customers the opportunity to buy the second-generation AirPods Pro charging case with a USB-C port as a standalone option without having to buy the actual earphones themselves. The standalone charging case with a USB-C port is being sold for $99 (via The Verge).
The MagSafe-enabled charging case can be ordered directly from Apple, with shipping set to begin in two weeks at current estimates. In addition to the charging case itself, Apple also includes a USB-C cable in the box. The new USB-C charging case is fully compatible with the second-generation AirPods Pro that shipped with the old charging case that featured the Lightning port. However, the new charging case is not compatible with the original first-generation AirPods Pro.
Besides the USB-C port, nothing else has changed compared to the original charging case with a Lightning port which debuted with the second-generation AirPods Pro in 2022. Both charging cases feature the U1 chip for Precision Finding through the Find My network, a lanyard loop attachment, water and dust resistance, and up to 30 hours of battery life to charge the AirPods Pro.
Apple announced a refresh to the second-generation AirPods Pro that included the USB-C charging case in September alongside the iPhone 15. The move is part of the company’s push to replace Lightning across the board after a new mandate by the European Union requiring a universal connector for all mobile devices and accessories.
At the time, it was thought that there was no difference between all second-generation AirPods Pro units irrespective of whether they shipped with a Lightning or USB-C charging case. However, the company revealed that USB-C AirPods Pro offer improved dust resistance and Lossless Audio compatibility with Vision Pro. Apple later confirmed that the USB-C AirPods Pro comes with an updated H2 chip that enables a higher bitrate for Lossless Audio.
Customers can still buy the second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case for the full retail price of $249.
