Apple selling a standalone second-generation AirPod Pro USB-C case for $99

AppleInsider

You can now pick up a USB-C charging case for your second-generation AirPods Pro -- if you're willing to spend $99.

On Wednesday, Apple added a new item to its online store -- a USB-C charging case for the second generations AirPods Pro. The case is available for $99 -- pricy but cheaper than purchasing a whole new set of AirPods Pro.

As pointed out by The Verge, the delivery estimates are already projected to be after Christmas, so they won't make a great stocking stuffer this year.

In September, Apple brought USB-C charging capabilities to the second-generation AirPods Pro. As a result, the new case can be charged via the iPhone 15 lineup.

Apple mentioned a few new features with the updated AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C. The new case won't grant features to older AirPods Pro that are found in the AirPods Pro that ship with the USB-C case like lossless audio for Vision Pro.

Read on AppleInsider

reginaldgraziyos

Now also offer seperate earbuds. I lost my right earbud months ago.

appleish

We're still 100% Lightning, except for the ports on our MacBook Pros. And all of our devices are basically current.

rmusikantow

Why would someone buy this unless they lost their case?

pancake

ReginaldGraziyos said:

Now also offer seperate earbuds. I lost my right earbud months ago.

That’s been available since they launched. They just need to be bought through the Genius Bar or with AppleCare over the phone. 

tundraboy

I think for the most part Apple makes the best consumer tech products out there but one Apple product that I won't buy anymore after buying it once are the AirPods.  These are disposable products being sold at prices more appropriate for long-lived durables.  You are essentially paying $200 to rent AirPods for about 2 years.  When my AirPods Pro started crackling a little past a year and a half of use, and the Genius Bar said I'm better off buying a new pair, I felt like I got scammed by a two-bit Chinese counterfeiting outfit.  There are decent sounding bluetooth earbuds out there that last at least as long as AirPods but at prices as low as $35.  Yeah, they don't have the fancy spatial whatever and other such gimmickry, but in the end that's just what it is, gimmickry, and most users are not hardcore audio enthusiasts.

racerhomie3

tundraboy said:

I think for the most part Apple makes the best consumer tech products out there but one Apple product that I won't buy anymore after buying it once are the AirPods.  These are disposable products being sold at prices more appropriate for long-lived durables.  You are essentially paying $200 to rent AirPods for about 2 years.  When my AirPods Pro started crackling a little past a year and a half of use, and the Genius Bar said I'm better off buying a new pair, I felt like I got scammed by a two-bit Chinese counterfeiting outfit.  There are decent sounding bluetooth earbuds out there that last at least as long as AirPods but at prices as low as $35.  Yeah, they don't have the fancy spatial whatever and other such gimmickry, but in the end that's just what it is, gimmickry, and most users are not hardcore audio enthusiasts.

After 5 years of using AirPods (2 pairs) I have come back to wired EarPods since their lifespan is much better than wireless ones. Battery degradation is one of the biggest problems for AirPods in my eyes after owning them for 5+ years

davgreg

tundraboy said:

I think for the most part Apple makes the best consumer tech products out there but one Apple product that I won't buy anymore after buying it once are the AirPods.  These are disposable products being sold at prices more appropriate for long-lived durables.  You are essentially paying $200 to rent AirPods for about 2 years.  When my AirPods Pro started crackling a little past a year and a half of use, and the Genius Bar said I'm better off buying a new pair, I felt like I got scammed by a two-bit Chinese counterfeiting outfit.  There are decent sounding bluetooth earbuds out there that last at least as long as AirPods but at prices as low as $35.  Yeah, they don't have the fancy spatial whatever and other such gimmickry, but in the end that's just what it is, gimmickry, and most users are not hardcore audio enthusiasts.

Agreed.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 2 buds are vastly better than the AirPod Pro 2. I own both.
The only disadvantage Bose has is in pairing which is because Apple does not share the chip they use in Beats and Apple Bluetooth devices.

Apple’s are intentionally made to not be repaired. The Beats Studio Pros develop a tear along the ear hook base and there is no way to easily replace it. And the battery is not replaceable.

kirk781

tundraboy said:

I think for the most part Apple makes the best consumer tech products out there but one Apple product that I won't buy anymore after buying it once are the AirPods.  These are disposable products being sold at prices more appropriate for long-lived durables.  You are essentially paying $200 to rent AirPods for about 2 years.  When my AirPods Pro started crackling a little past a year and a half of use, and the Genius Bar said I'm better off buying a new pair, I felt like I got scammed by a two-bit Chinese counterfeiting outfit.  There are decent sounding bluetooth earbuds out there that last at least as long as AirPods but at prices as low as $35.  Yeah, they don't have the fancy spatial whatever and other such gimmickry, but in the end that's just what it is, gimmickry, and most users are not hardcore audio enthusiasts.

This is the part I hate most about Bluetooth headphones. They have more points of failure than a wired headset. Ironically, the Airpods Pro weren't aimed at audio enthusiasts either because whilst Apple Music supports some music in lossless format, the Airpods can't stream them in that quality.