AirPods Pro 2 USB-C vs Lightning - Hidden Differences! 🤔
You could be wondering if there is any difference between the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C and the Lightning connecter version beyond what Apple has advertised. Aside from the different connector, the USB-C version supports 20 bit/48 khz lossless audio when paired to an Apple Vision Pro, and the charging case is dust and water resistant now, unlike the Lightning connector version.
Cables have also been updated to a woven fabric type as opposed to rubber, but of course, you can use your own USB-C cable if you’ve got a couple lying around. Otherwise they’re pretty much identical to the Lightning version, even the earbuds are identical. So technically, they are interchangeable with the cases - although you don’t want to mix them up because they’re all paired in unique sets that only recognises the cases they came paired with. Neither does Apple also sell just the case alone, if you want to upgrade from the Lightning AirPods Pro 2 to USB-C.
In this article, I’m not going to go too much into the new features like Conversation Aware because I have already covered those in this video, but I want to know if there are other changes specifically in the area of sound, noise canceling and mic quality. It could be identical to the Lightning port version in these areas, but as a pro, I’m not going to assume that.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound, according to my frequency sweeps it seems that the USB-C version is tuned the same way as the Lightning version sounded on the previous firmware, 5E135. On the new firmware 6A301 though, the Lightning version has more punch in the bass and a bit more crispness in the mids. It’s a small difference that can be hard to tell without comparing side by side. Here are some sound samples comparing both versions of the AirPods Pro 2 as they are right now. Have a listen.
Microphone Quality
In terms of mic pickup, it seems that the new USB-C type is able to deal with background noise effectively, even with recording apps, whereas the Lightning connector version can’t do it as well as it could before the 6A301 update. Samples here.
However, calling apps like Telegram, whatsapp or Zoom have their own noise suppression, which means the Lightning version isn’t going to sound very different from the USB-C version. Furthermore, if you use an iPhone, you do have options to clean up the audio further by selecting Mic Modes, which makes the whole point of having native noise suppresion on earbuds themselves, moot. Listen to this real world test.
Active Noise Canceling
In terms of active noise canceling, you’re not going to notice much of a difference except for maybe a little more mid frequency noise being blocked on the USB-C version. It could be due to the eartips on the USB-C model being newer and stiffer, but otherwise there is no difference in the actual amount of noise being canceled. Have a listen.
Join to compare all sound quality, noise canceling, and microphone samples.
Transparency Mode
In terms of transparency, the USB-C version seems very similar to the Lightning one, but when I put one of each version in my ears, close my eyes and listen, the Lightning one seems to have a bit more passthrough in the midrange, so it feels a little less natural when you begin to notice it. Otherwise, I daresay not many people can hear the difference right away.
Big difference?
Aside from the mic working as it should on the USB-C version able to suppres noise on recording apps, and some small sound quality differences, there seems to be very little else that is different, apart from what has been openly mentioned by Apple. So if you already have the Lightning connector AirPods Pro 2, the new USB-C version is not going to feel like an upgrade, more like a side shuffle.
Unless you desperately want to make everything run on USB-C and USB-C only. Or, you’re planning to buy the Vision Pro when it’s available in 2024. Then you’ll want the USB-C model because it supports lossless, low latency audio.
If you’d like to check the latest prices and availability of the AirPods Pro 2, I’ve included links to their Amazon page below.
Amazon
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) - https://amzn.to/3RCis3o
AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) - https://amzn.to/3VbAmsW
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