It’s at all times irritating whenever you purchase an costly tech product after which a brand new model comes out just a few months later. That sensation could also be acquainted to those that purchased the AirPods Professional earlier this 12 months, then noticed a USB-C model roll out alongside the iPhone 15 in September.
The excellent news for remorseful patrons is that the headphones themselves aren’t completely different; they’re nonetheless the 2nd-gen mannequin. It’s simply the case that’s been up to date to switch the Lightning port with USB-C (alongside MagSafe wi-fi charging, as on the earlier case). And higher nonetheless, Apple has now–as noticed by The Verge–began promoting that up to date case by itself, with out the annoyance of one other pair of AirPods Professional to litter up your own home and drain your checking account.
Not that the case is precisely low cost. It’ll set you again $99/£89 in the event you purchase direct from the Apple Retailer (the place it’s obtainable proper now within the (U.S) and (U.Ok.). Those that are ready to attend just a few months might discover that third-party resellers low cost it a bit of, though we’re not presently seeing a lot by the use of financial savings on the wi-fi charging case for the usual AirPods which Apple has been promoting for $79 for some time.
The timing of all this, by the way, is traditional Apple. For the primary three months of its life the USB-C case was obtainable solely as a bundle with the 2nd-gen AirPods Professional, to maximise income from early adopters; now that the vacation gross sales rush is basically over, it’s time to provide the product a lift by unveiling the cheaper deal. Very similar to the annoying technique of ready six months earlier than launching a brand new coloration for the latest-generation iPhones.
Subsequent 12 months we hope to see some precise new AirPods, from the long-awaited 2nd-gen AirPods Max to the broadly rumored AirPods Lite. Examine Apple’s plans for 2024 in our information to upcoming AirPods launches.