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AirPods Pro with USB-C are here, but where's the love for other AirPods models, Apple?
With Apple's announcement yesterday of the iPhone 15, it's now official: The new iPhone isn't Apple's only product to receive a USB-C makeover.
Also: Everything Apple just announced: iPhone 15, Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods
During the company's annual hardware event, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) were rereleased with a USB-C charging port. But a USB-C port promises more than universal charging for the AirPods Pro 2.
The new AirPods Pro 2 have additional dust resistance. The new IP rating is IP54, which is a significant upgrade from the original IPX4 rating.
The updated AirPods Pro 2 also supports 20-bit, 48kHz lossless audio with ultra-low latency when they are connected to the Vision Pro, Apple's mixed reality headset. Listeners can also plug their upgraded AirPods Pro 2 into any iPhone 15 model to charge them.
However, the base model AirPods and the high-end AirPods Max weren't mentioned, and they likely won't be USB-C compatible until sometime next year, according to Bloomberg.
In addition to missing out on USB-C charging compatibility, AirPods Max and base model AirPods are also missing out on the new iOS 17 features coming to AirPods Pro: Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
Also: Should you buy an iPhone 15? Here's how my wife and I are deciding
The most likely reason is that all three generations of the base model AirPods and the AirPods Max use Apple's H1 chip. The AirPods Pro 2, on the contrary, uses Apple's updated H2 chip, the same chip found in the Vision Pro, and are the only Apple headphones equipped with the newer processor.
The AirPods Max relied on a companion case to switch between sleep and active modes.
Still, it's disappointing to see more expensive audio options like the AirPods Max be left behind when it comes to feature upgrades. Hopefully, we'll get more AirPods news early next year.
Also: Apple iPhone 15 hands-on: New features left me with no Pro model envy at all
The upgraded AirPods Pro 2 will be available for $249, so there's no increase in price from the original model. They are available for pre-order on Apple's website and will ship starting September 22.