Apple Introduces Updated AirPods Pro and EarPods With USB-C and More

Tuesday September 12, 2023 10:56 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

In addition to the iPhone 15 models getting a USB-C port, Apple today announced that the second-generation AirPods Pro are now available to order with a USB-C charging case for $249, and the wired EarPods now come in a USB-C version as well.

AirPods USB C Port
The updated second-generation AirPods Pro ship with a USB-C charging case, but the case is not sold separately at this time on Apple's online store. Additionally, the updated second-generation AirPods Pro include improved IP54-rated dust resistance for the earbuds and case, and will support lossless audio when connected to the Apple Vision Pro headset launching in early 2024. No other changes were announced.

Apple said the updated second-generation AirPods Pro will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Friday, September 22.

Apple continues to sell EarPods with a Lightning connector and with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3

Tags: EarPods, September 2023 Apple Event

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by Juli Clover

With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...

• 116 comments

Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]

Thursday October 22, 2026 11:01 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple has temporarily removed Keynote, Pages, and Numbers from the App Store, just after releasing an update that added iPhone Duo support and a new Intelligent Assistant. It is not clear if the apps were removed intentionally, or if it is a bug. Apple has not said when the apps will be reinstated, but if it was in error, they should return soon. Update: The Mac versions are back without...

• 64 comments

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...

• 165 comments

Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator

41 months ago

Such a stupid change. Keeping lightning would have been better. Delusional.

Why? The new iPhones feature USB-C charging cables; and most AirPod users will own an iPhone.
MacBooks and iPads are now charged via USB-C.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Arsenikdote

41 months ago

Such a stupid change. Keeping lightning would have been better. Delusional.

First of all, having one cable for Mac, iPad, iPhone, AirPods is waaay better.
Second of all, it wasn't Apple's choice. The EU forced their hand

Then remove Apple Watch wireless charging and include a USB-C port.

And also remove the MagSafe port from MacBook.

Using your logic...

The point you are intentionally ignoring or are not understanding is that consolidating the types of cables someone needs to posses is considered a benefit by most people. Consolidation down to no choice might not be, but reduction to redundant types is a benefit. For example, wireless charging and wired charging are different methods each having different benefits/trade offs. Lightning has become redundant to USB C and is a layer deeper now splitting the wired options. Since fewer Apple products use lightning than USB C, it makes sense to remove this redundancy in wired charging options, also thereby reducing the number of physical cables a user needs to have.

From a consolidation perspective it is not delusional, it is helpful. Plus as you have also conveniently ignored, they were forced to make the change on the iPhone, further increasing the need to consolidate the redundancy of wired charging/data cable options.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

_Spinn_

41 months ago

USB C should be very nice!

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)