Apple
During their Tuesday "Wonderlust" event, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) — their popular wireless earbuds with noise-cancellation features — are receiving a new USB-C compatible case. This means that they'll use the same charging cable as the iPhone 15, iPad Pro and iPad Air, MacBook, and most Android devices.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will still retail at $250, even with this new USB-C case. They're available to order from Apple starting today, and they'll be officially available to buy online and in-person from retailers like Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy starting Friday, September 22.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C: price
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are available now from Apple for $250. That's the exact same price as they were before, when the case only had a Lightning connector.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C: release date
You can order a pair of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with a USB-C case from Apple right now, but they won't ship until Friday, September 22.
September 22 is also the day they'll officially go on sale both online and in-person from Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C: new features
The AirPods Pro earbuds themselves aren't changing — only the case is. But there are still a few important new features that are coming with the release of iOS 17, which releases September 18.
These include a new noise cancellation mode called Adaptive Audio that cancels more or less noise depending on your environment, and excels at blocking distracting noises; and an optional feature called Conversation Awareness that can detect when someone starts talking to you, and automatically pause whatever you're listening to so you can hear them.
iOS 17 also introduces Personalized Volume, an AI-powered feature that lets your iPhone learn over time what volume you like music to play at, and will automatically adjust to that volume.
These features are all coming to the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), whether you have the new USB-C case or an older Lightning case.