Snag Apple AirPods Pro 2 with Secret Upgrades for Just $189

Apple’s most recent event focused on two product lines: iPhone and Apple Watch. But Apple also low-key announced another new product: AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case. At first glance, it would appear that other than the new charging port, these new AirPods Pro were the exact the same as the second-generation AirPods Pro that Apple just released a year ago — but that’s not quite true.

These new USB-C AirPods Pro indeed are mostly the same as the predecessors, but they’ve been upgraded in two other key ways.

First, the newest AirPods Pro support lossless audio! But only when paired with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset (set to be released “early” next year). Apple developed a new wireless protocol that works specifically on the newest AirPods Pro and allows them to play lossless up to 20-bit/48kHz. So if you buy Apple’s $3,000 headset, you’ll be able to rock out to the best audio quality that any AirPods to date have been able to deliver.

Second, the USB-C AirPods Pro have an IP54 water-and-dust resistance rating compared to the IPX4 rating of last years’ AirPods Pros — this marks the first time that any of Apple’s wireless earbuds have had a dust-resistance rating. For context, Apple’s AirPods 3 have an IPX4 rating and the entry-level AirPods (2nd generation) don’t have an IP rating at all.

The IP54 rating of the new Pros doesn’t change its resistance to water or sweat, but it means they are slightly more guarded against dust and other smaller particles. With IP ratings, the first number represents its dust resistance and the second number represents its water resistance. The “4” means that the AirPods Pro are splash-proof, which in our eyes is the bare minimum grade for wireless earbuds you can workout in. If you’ve killed a number of AirPods Pro by running or working out with them, you’ll unfortunately have the same issue with these newer Pros.

Additionally, Apple is rolling out some new features to its AirPods Pro line that last year’s and this year’s models will both take advantage of. A new Adaptive Audio feature will automatically adjust the AirPods Pro noise-canceling and transparency settings based on your environment. And there’s a new Conversation Awareness setting that, when turned on, automatically lowers your music’s volume and enhances voices around you when your AirPods Pro detects that you are talking.

Apple has stopped selling last year’s AirPods Pro that charge via Lightning, though you can get them at Amazon, along with the USB-C version. Both versions are on sale today for just $189, the cheapest we’ve ever seen the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB‑C Charging Case

• $49.95 at Apple
  $249.00 (80% off)

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