Apple Releases Standalone USB-C Charging Case For Airpods Pro At $99

In a recent development, Apple Inc. AAPL has begun to offer the USB-C charging case for its second-generation AirPods Pro as a separate purchase. The standalone case comes with a price tag of $99.

What Happened: The immediately available MagSafe-compatible case is a more affordable alternative for those wanting to convert all their devices to USB-C, The Verge reported on Wednesday. This, however, requires them to already possess a second-gen AirPods Pro with a Lightning case.

Delivery estimates suggest a post-Christmas arrival date. Yet, if local Apple stores get their stock in time, the case could be a feasible holiday gift option.

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The USB-C AirPods Pro, which were rolled out earlier this year, are resistant to dust and water splashes. This IP54 rating is retained by the standalone case. Moreover, when these AirPods Pro are paired with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset, they can provide lossless audio wirelessly.

Owners of the second-gen AirPods Pro can enjoy Apple’s latest software features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Detection, regardless of the charging port in use.

Why It Matters: Back in September, during the ‘Wonderlust’ launch event, Apple introduced the much-anticipated USB-C port to the AirPods alongside the iPhone 15. However, to avail of the USB-C charging case, customers had to pay $249 for a new pair of AirPods Pro 2. This left existing owners of AirPods Pro 2 at a disadvantage if they wished to upgrade to the USB-C charging case. Now, with this new offering, Apple has provided a more cost-effective option for users wanting to transition to USB-C.

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