The iPhone 15 has made the transition to USB-C, and it’s not alone—Apple’s wired earbuds that were once included in the box have also adopted the USB-C connection. While this may not come as a surprise, there’s an unexpected twist: Apple’s budget-friendly $19 USB-C EarPods are reportedly capable of supporting lossless audio playback, compatible with Apple Music.
This revelation comes from recent testing conducted by MacOtakara, showcasing the USB-C EarPods’ impressive range of 16bit/44.1kHz to 24bit/48kHz, complete with lossless audio capabilities.
The EarPods, those familiar wired companions:
In the era of AirPods, it’s easy to forget about the humble EarPods, especially since they were removed from the iPhone packaging to reduce waste. EarPods made their debut in 2012 with the iPhone 5, marking the shift from the previous iPhone port. In 2016, they underwent a redesign, replacing the 3.5mm connector with a Lightning connector when the iPhone 7 eliminated the headphone port.
Interestingly, Apple did not introduce USB-C EarPods when they transitioned to USB-C iPads in 2018; instead, they offered a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Now, with the iPhone 15 embracing USB-C, users can enjoy USB-C EarPods on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac equipped with a USB-C port, as confirmed on Apple’s product page for these new earbuds.
Lossless audio support:
What’s truly groundbreaking is the discovery made by MacOtakara—USB-C EarPods are capable of delivering lossless audio playback.
To add to the excitement, the updated AirPods Pro 2, equipped with USB-C charging, also support lossless audio when paired with Apple’s forthcoming $3,499 Vision Pro headset. Furthermore, the $19 wired EarPods with USB-C compatibility offer lossless audio as well.
For those who prefer their music at higher volumes, the new Beats Studio Pro headphones provide lossless support via USB-C. However, Apple’s $549 AirPods Max with Lightning connectivity do not offer this feature, although there is optimism that their first revision, expected next year, may include it.
It’s worth noting that Apple Music has been offering lossless audio at no additional cost for a while now, while Spotify has promised to introduce lossless audio for subscribers willing to pay extra
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Infobeat Today journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.