Apple AirPods Pro: Unofficial mod with USB Type-C connector now on sale

Ken Pillonel, the engineer behind the world's first iPhone with a USB Type-C port, has given the AirPods Pro the same treatment. Apple will soon pivot to USB Type-C connectivity across its entire product line, so this project may only apply to current models. Still, the project also highlights how irrepairable the AirPods Pro are, even for an experienced engineer.

For example, opening the AirPods Pro's charging case requires damaging it in the process. As such, Apple does not offer battery replacements. Instead, the company simply replaces the charging case with a new one, even if there are no faults with the case itself. Consequently, Pillonel 3D printed a new case, which can also be customised with different colours and finishes.

Moreover, the engineer was forced to design a small daughterboard in order to swap Lightning for USB Type-C connectivity. The new board fits within the existing charging case though, and is orderable online for CHF 34.90 (~US$37.75). Alternatively, the developer sells a pack of 10 cables for CHF 249 (~US$269) and a single customised charging case for CHF 299 (~US$323). Pillonel has provided all resources on GitHub, should you wish to reproduce the daughter board and charging case yourself.

Purchase the Apple Mac mini (Apple M2/8 GB RAM/256 GB SSD) on Amazon