Lossless audio is finally coming to AirPods Pro 2… but only with the Apple Vision Pro

What a loss

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During today’sApple September event, which if you missed check out ourApple event 2023 live blogto read about all the news, it wasannounced that the AirPods Pro 2 and EarPods would be getting USB-C charging. But there was an even bigger update that was revealed in the press release that was launched soon after. Sort of.

Turns out, lossless audio is set to be added to the AirPods Pro 2 in this new USB-C-toting version, but only when they’re used with the upcomingApple Vision Provirtual reality headset… Not when used with your shiny newiPhone 15 ProwithApple Music.

Lossless audio means far less compression of the sound as it’s transmitted, so details remains sharper, and songs can be more dynamic. It’s highly sought after by audiophiles, and is something that we’ve beenpatiently waitingfor from AirPods here at TechRadar. We evenexplained how Apple could do it. But this isn’t exactly what we had in mind.

Is Apple at a loss?

Applesays that the Lossless Audio codec will enable the AirPods Pro 2 to deliver ultra-low latency with the Apple Vision Pro – both of which use the H2 chip – as well as 20-bit 48kHz lossless. Now, this isn’t actually that impressive for Hi-Res Audio. It’s not enough for the full quality of Apple Music, for example, which can deliver 24-bit 192kHz. And to compare it to other wireless transmission tech,Snapdragon Soundcan do 24-bit 96kHz.

We’ve beenshocked that Apple’s new AirPods Pro still can’t support losslessfor a while now, because it means that listening to the higher quality levels of Apple Music is possible on Android with headphones from rivals, but not on iPhone with headphones from Apple.

And withiOS 17already announced without any lossless upgrades, followed by iPhone 15 models also without all this, we remainleft to use Apple’s wired EarPods if you actually want lossless sound from its phones, ridiculously.

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Amelia became the Senior Editor for Home Entertainment at TechRadar in the UK in April 2023. With a background of more than eight years in tech and finance publishing, she’s now leading our coverage to bring you a fresh perspective on everything to do with TV and audio. When she’s not tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and travelling.

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