Concurrent with the new iPhone 15, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will come with a new case that uses USB-C instead of a Lightning cable. This new case provides additional dust protection (up to IP54) and lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro.

This move will not only reduce the amount of cables you bring to charge your device, but also reduce the amount of e-waste that goes into landfills each year, according to the European Union.

Apple's move to USB-C precedes by almost a year the European Union's mandate that all electronic devices sold on the continent use one standard universal charger.

The AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) is available for order today and will be in stores on Friday, September 22.

While this move does not mean anything in terms of battery life or charging time (both standards allow for fast charging), it does mean that a new lineup of USB-C accessories will be available for the iPhone, the first of which is the EarPods.

That said, AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max will remain the de facto headphones for Apple device owners, but the switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15 will allow for more choices regarding audio hardware will allow for more choices when it comes to audio hardware.

While it is clear that a number of high-end headphones can be connected wirelessly, better sound quality can be achieved by connecting directly via USB-C. A good example of this would be the Bowers & Wilkins Px8, which won the Tom's Guide Awards 2023.

Another new avenue that USB-C opens up is compatibility with portable amplifiers: by connecting USB-C to an iPhone, one can experience a more nuanced sound and connect higher impedance wired headphones.

In short, adding USB-C to the device lineup may not be the biggest announcement of today's Wanderlust Apple event, but it certainly opens up new possibilities in terms of iPhone accessories.