Apple Explains Why Only USB-C AirPods Pro Support Lossless Audio With Vision Pro - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Explains Why Only USB-C AirPods Pro Support Lossless Audio With Vision Pro

In a video interview with Brian Tong, Apple's VP of Sensing and Connectivity Ron Huang explained why only the updated second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case support lossless audio with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset.

Vision Pro Person
Huang revealed that the H2 chip in the USB-C AirPods Pro supports the 5GHz band of wireless frequencies for ultra-low latency and less interference, while the H2 chip in the original second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning case is limited to the 2.4GHz band. Apple says it is this 5GHz support that enables the updated AirPods Pro to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro, which is slated for release in the U.S. in early 2024.

The topic is briefly discussed at around the 26-minute mark of the video, as highlighted by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall earlier today:

The updated second-generation AirPods Pro began arriving to customers and launched in stores today. The earbuds are regularly priced at $249 in the U.S., but they are already on sale for $199.99 on Amazon with the USB-C charging case.

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Vision Pro
Related Forums: AirPods, Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

33 months ago
So much foresight! Couldn't have included 5GHz band in the device knowing they were going to announce the Vision Pro 9 months later?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zilchfox Avatar
33 months ago
AirPods Pro 2.5
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ppj845 Avatar
33 months ago
It still doesn’t make sense. If it’s the same chip that can run on both 2.4 and 5, then apple should be able to enable 5 on APP2wL via firmware update. If it’s a different chip, knowing apple they’d probably call it H3 already.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
33 months ago
This still just…..makes me not thrilled. Sorry. This explanation doesn’t make me feel any better.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anappleaday29 Avatar
33 months ago
Imagine having to look at someone’s charging port on their AirPod pros to get that feeling of newest device superiority
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
33 months ago

5 GHz does not seem like an exclusive feature. Even my cheap Chinese smartphone from 2018 supports 5 GHz.
Comparing devices with WiFi to wireless headphones is pointless. WiFi has used 5Ghz for a long time, headphones haven't so it's not going to have the antennas for it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)