New AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) vs AirPods Pro 2 (lightning)

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  Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)

  The updated AirPods Pro (second generation) have a USB-C charging port, allowing you to charge using USB-C cables you already have for other devices, or even from a USB-C iPhone. You get the same stunning sound quality and active noise cancellation features that you do with the original Lightning version.

  Pros

  • Can charge from your USB-C iPhone
  • Lossless audio support for Vision Pro
  • Dust resistant

  Cons

  • Almost identical to older version
  • Won’t work with your Lightning cables

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  Apple AirPods Pro 2

  The Lightning Apple AirPods Pro (second-generation) offer the same high-quality sound and active noise cancellation features as the new USB-C version, making them (jointly) Apple’s best sounding in-ear headphones. The Lightning cable may be on the way out, but it will still probably be around longer than your AirPods will.

  Pros

  • Works with your existing Lightning cables
  • Likely to see significant discounts
  • Same great audio and features as the new version

  Cons

  • Won’t support lossless audio with the Vision Pro
  • Lightning connector being phased out

When the iPhone 15 models were launched, one of the biggest stories was that they were the first iPhones to feature a USB-C charging port instead of the proprietary Lightning port that has appeared on all previous iPhone models since the iPhone 5. Apple has leaned into the change and is adding USB-C charging to other products that previously featured a Lightning port, too.

That’s the case with the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) wireless earbuds, which have been updated to a USB-C charging port. However, the changes are so minimal that the updated model doesn’t even have a new name, leaving us to have to deal with unwieldy phrases such as ‘Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)’ to differentiate between the models.

Price, availability, and specs

The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with the Lightning port launched in September 2022, at a price of $249. Since the update to the USB-C version, it’s no longer possible to buy new Lightning AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from the Apple website, although you still get a pair of certified refurbished Lighting AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from the Apple website for $209.

The USB-C AirPods Pro are $249 from Apple and you can currently get your hands on a pair from Amazon for just $189.

As you might have guessed, the biggest change between the two versions of essentially the same product is the type of port in the charging case. There are some other differences, however, some of which are significant. How do the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation USB-C compare to the old 2nd Generation AirPods Pro from 2022? And if you currently own the Lightning version, is it worth upgrading? Let’s find out.

Price, availability, and specs

The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with the Lightning port launched in September 2022, at a price of $249. Since the update to the USB-C version, it’s no longer possible to buy new Lightning AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from the Apple website, although you still get a pair of certified refurbished Lighting AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from the Apple website for $209.

The USB-C AirPods Pro are $249 from Apple and you can currently get your hands on a pair from Amazon for just $189.

As you would expect, the vast majority of the specifications are the same between the two models, but let’s take a look at some of the key specs.

• 	Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)	Apple AirPods Pro 2
  Battery Life	4.5 hours talk time, 6 hours listening, 30 hours with case	4.5 hours talk time, 6 hours listening, 30 hours with case
  Noise Cancellation	Yes	Yes
  IP rating	IP54	IPX4
  Supported codecs	SBC, AAC, Lossless Audio with Vision Pro	SBC, AAC
  Charging	Wireless, USB-C	Wireless, Lighting
  Dimensions	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 / 50.8g (Charging Case), 30.9 x 21.8 x 24mm / 5.3g (Earbuds)	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7mm / 50.8g (Charging Case), 30.9 x 21.8 x 24mm / 5.3g (Earbuds)
  Color	White only	White only
  Chip	H2 Chip, U1 Chip in Charging Case	H2 Chip, U2 Chip in Charging Case
  Spatial Audio	Yes, Personalised Spatial Audio with Head Tracking	Yes, Personalised Spatial Audio with Head Tracking

The sound quality is also exactly the same for both models of AirPods Pro (2nd Generation). A custom driver and amplifier help to reduce distortion when compared to the original AirPods Pro, so you get clearer highs and deeper bass, no matter the volume level. The Active Noise Cancellation is excellent and can reduce intrusive sounds such as screaming babies or power tools, as well as background noise like general conversation. Your Apple Watch can even show you how much the sound level has been reduced thanks to your AirPods Pro (2nd Generation).

Both models use the same H2 chip that enables features such as improved noise cancellation and overall better sound quality than the original AirPods Pro that use the H1 chip. It also gives the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) better battery life than the original AirPods Pro were able to offer. Apple claims that the H2 chip enables twice the level of noise cancellation as you got with the original AirPods Pro. Both models use the same H2 chip that enables features such as improved noise cancellation and overall better sound quality than the original AirPods Pro that use the H1 chip. It also gives the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) better battery life than the original AirPods Pro were able to offer. Apple claims that the H2 chip enables twice the level of noise cancellation as you got with the original AirPods Pro.