Apple: AirPods Pro with USB-C work with Vision Pro via 5GHz protocol

Apple has shared for the first time why only the AirPods Pro with USB-C are suitable for lossless audio on the upcoming Vision Pro-VR headset. The new version of the AirPods can communicate via a 5GHz connection.

Other than the connector, the second-generation AirPods Pro with USB-C appear similar to the Lightning version, but Apple CEO Ron Huang says in an interview with Brian Tong that the USB-C version supports an audio protocol developed by Apple that works at 5GHz. The Lightning version of the earbuds does not support this and works on the regular Bluetooth frequency of 2.4GHz.

The Lightning version will work with the upcoming Vision Pro headset, but the new version is required for lossless and low-latency audio. Both sets of earbuds have Apple’s own H2 chip on board for communication, just like the Vision Pro. Apple provided few details about its self-developed audio protocol. Apple announced the Vision Pro in June, while the company presented the new version of the AirPods Pro a few weeks ago as part of the iPhone 15 keynote.