Apple Updates AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C and Upcoming Lossless Wireless Audio Protocol

As expected, on September 12, Apple announced the new iPhone 15 series models, which now all have USB-C connectors (but only use USB3). More importantly, Apple introduced new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C charging capabilities and anticipated new audio experiences to all AirPods Pro models with iOS 17 updates. Between the lines there is an announcement about an upcoming "groundbreaking wireless audio protocol" supporting lossless audio over 5GHz.

The aftermarket headphones segment continues to attract consumer spend, with 2019 shaping up to be another industry high point, according to the new Headphones Market report from Futuresource Consulting. The headphones market continues its recent trend of solid growth in volumes - 5% year-on-year - and substantial growth in revenue (14%). True wireless and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) are the main engines of growth in the total value of the headphones market accompanied by the rising ASP's, as consumers demand for new premium features remains strong.

Beats is an Apple-owned company. As Beats benefits increasingly - and exclusively - from Apple's own technologies and developments, this also means that we get new Beats products after Apple's own releases. So, the new Powerbeats Pro are unveiled after the second-generation AirPods, because they use the same H1 wireless chip. Otherwise, they are Beats first true wireless, and a totally different product.