Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro are now in users’ hands, and a notable new announcement is that the MagSafe charging case can broadcast its charge status to the iOS battery widget even when the AirPods are in your ears. For other AirPods models, including the first-generation AirPods Pro, users must place the earbuds in the charging case to get a battery status reading on the charging case itself.
With the AirPods Pro 2, the battery widget will now show the status of the charging case and AirPods, whether or not the earbuds are in the case.
The AirPods Pro 2 case includes a built-in U1 chip that uses the pinpoint feature to find where the device is so it can be pinpointed. So it seems possible that the U1 chip could allow the charging case to broadcast its battery status over high-frequency ultra-wideband without having to rely on a Bluetooth connection via the AirPods.
The $249 AirPods Pro 2 are now available for order on Apple’s website and for pickup at the Apple Store.
