Apple Explains Why Only USB-C AirPods Pro Support Lossless Audio With Vision Pro

In a video interview with Brian Tong, Apple's VP of Sensing and Connectivity Ron Huang explained why only the updated second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case support lossless audio with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset.

Vision Pro Person
Huang revealed that the H2 chip in the USB-C AirPods Pro supports the 5GHz band of wireless frequencies for ultra-low latency and less interference, while the H2 chip in the original second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning case is limited to the 2.4GHz band. Apple says it is this 5GHz support that enables the updated AirPods Pro to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro, which is slated for release in the U.S. in early 2024.

The topic is briefly discussed at around the 26-minute mark of the video, as highlighted by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall earlier today:

The updated second-generation AirPods Pro began arriving to customers and launched in stores today. The earbuds are regularly priced at $249 in the U.S., but they are already on sale for $199.99 on Amazon with the USB-C charging case.

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Vision Pro
Related Forums: AirPods, Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

siddavis Avatar
31 months ago
So much foresight! Couldn't have included 5GHz band in the device knowing they were going to announce the Vision Pro 9 months later?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zilchfox Avatar
31 months ago
AirPods Pro 2.5
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ppj845 Avatar
31 months ago
It still doesn’t make sense. If it’s the same chip that can run on both 2.4 and 5, then apple should be able to enable 5 on APP2wL via firmware update. If it’s a different chip, knowing apple they’d probably call it H3 already.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anappleaday29 Avatar
31 months ago
Imagine having to look at someone’s charging port on their AirPod pros to get that feeling of newest device superiority
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abatabia Avatar
31 months ago
This still just…..makes me not thrilled. Sorry. This explanation doesn’t make me feel any better.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reallynotnick Avatar
31 months ago

5 GHz does not seem like an exclusive feature. Even my cheap Chinese smartphone from 2018 supports 5 GHz.
Comparing devices with WiFi to wireless headphones is pointless. WiFi has used 5Ghz for a long time, headphones haven't so it's not going to have the antennas for it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)