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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest Buy’s reported $189 promotion on Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case was a genuine $60 discount from the $249 comparison price when reported on September 4, 2024. It was a strong price for a first-time buyer who wanted Apple’s noise-cancelling earbuds, but not a major upgrade for someone who already owned the Lightning-case AirPods Pro 2. The promotion is historical, not a current deal.
What was on sale?
The promotion was for the white, second-generation Apple AirPods Pro with a MagSafe Charging Case that has a USB-C port—not the first-generation AirPods Pro, the earlier AirPods Pro 2 with a Lightning case, or standard AirPods. The September 4, 2024 report identified Best Buy as the retailer and described the $189 price as $60 below its $249 comparison price. The report did not establish that the promotion is still available. The original deal report also mentioned trade-in credit for eligible headphones; eligibility and credit depended on the device and Best Buy’s terms.
Retail listings can combine new, open-box, and refurbished options or show more than one AirPods Pro generation. For any similar listing, confirm that the product is AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C case, check the condition, and verify the seller, checkout price, return terms, and warranty before buying. The reported promotion should not be confused with an open-box or refurbished price.
Was $189 a good price?
For a buyer entering the AirPods Pro line, $189 was a worthwhile discount on Apple’s premium earbuds, especially if USB-C charging and Apple-device integration mattered. It was not identified as the lowest price ever: the original report said a lower price could return around Black Friday, but that was an expectation, not a guarantee or a documented price-history record.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
The value depended on what the buyer already owned. For someone with older earbuds, the combination of active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, and Apple integration made the discount more compelling. For an owner of AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning, the USB-C edition offered a much narrower reason to replace a working pair: a more convenient case connector, rather than a substantially new listening experience.
What USB-C changed—and what it did not
The practical change was the case connector
The USB-C case was easier to charge using the same cable as newer USB-C iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices. That convenience mattered most to people who had already moved away from Lightning accessories. USB-C did not mean the earbuds could be used as ordinary wired USB-C headphones.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
Lossless audio had a narrow use case
The deal report associated the USB-C model with lossless audio in connection with Apple Vision Pro. That should not be read as a general lossless Bluetooth capability for every phone or computer, or as a sound-quality upgrade for routine iPhone listening.
The core AirPods Pro 2 experience remained
This was still the second-generation AirPods Pro platform, with Apple’s H2 chip, silicone ear tips, active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Spatial Audio features, and Find My support through the case. Apple-rated battery life was up to about six hours of listening per charge and about 30 hours with the case, as reported in the deal coverage. Those are maximum claims, not guaranteed results: volume, listening modes, calls, software, temperature, and battery wear can affect actual runtime.
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Rank #3
- Active Noise Cancellation reduces unwanted background noise
- Adaptive Transparency lets outside sounds in while reducing loud environmental noise
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Multiple ear tips (XS, S, M, L)
- Touch control lets you swipe to adjust volume, press to direct media playback, answer or end calls, and press and hold to switch between listening modes
Who was a good fit for the deal?
- First-time AirPods Pro buyers: The discount made Apple’s noise-cancelling, in-ear option more accessible than its reported comparison price.
- USB-C Apple-device owners: A shared charging standard could reduce the need to keep a Lightning cable available.
- Commuters and travelers: ANC and Transparency mode offered useful ways to manage noise and remain aware of surroundings.
- Apple Vision Pro owners: The model’s specialized lossless-audio support could be relevant in that specific context.
- Eligible trade-in customers: Best Buy’s reported trade-in offer might have reduced the cost further, depending on the old headphones and retailer assessment.
Who was better off waiting?
- AirPods Pro 2 Lightning owners: If the earbuds worked well and Lightning remained convenient, the USB-C case alone was a limited reason to upgrade.
- Price-first shoppers: The report said a lower Black Friday price might appear, but there was no guarantee. Waiting made sense only if the buyer could tolerate that uncertainty.
- Buyers anticipating Apple’s September event: The sale ran ahead of the 2024 event, so waiting could have revealed new-product or pricing changes.
- Android users: They could use the earbuds, but would not get the full Apple ecosystem experience.
- Shoppers comfortable with Lightning: A genuinely cheaper Lightning-case AirPods Pro 2 could be a better value if USB-C compatibility and Vision Pro use were unimportant.
How the deal compares with Apple’s current lineup
The $189 figure belongs to September 2024. As of August 18, 2026, Apple’s U.S. store listed AirPods Pro 3 at $249, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at $179, and AirPods 4 at $129. These are current alternatives, not products available in the same form when the 2024 promotion ran. Apple’s store lineup identifies AirPods Pro 3 as the current Pro model.
| Model | Apple U.S. store price | Best fit | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | $249, listed August 18, 2026 | Buyers seeking Apple’s current premium in-ear option | Apple lists heart-rate sensing, hearing-related features, Live Translation support, and up to eight hours of ANC listening. |
| AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | $179, listed August 18, 2026 | Buyers who want ANC at a lower current list price | Open-style fit rather than the Pro line’s silicone-tip seal. |
| AirPods 4 | $129, listed August 18, 2026 | Buyers who mainly want basic AirPods features and Apple pairing | Lower-priced option without active noise cancellation. |
Prices and features in the table are Apple U.S. store listings viewed August 18, 2026; they are not a claim about other countries or retailer promotions. Choose between the open-style AirPods 4 and in-ear Pro models based on fit and isolation needs, not price alone.
Rank #4
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Why the $189 offer is not a current deal
The promotion was reported as a September 2024 Best Buy sale. A historical report cannot confirm today’s price, inventory, or checkout terms. The Best Buy product page does not, by itself, verify that the $189 offer remains active. Check the live listing for the exact model, condition, seller, stock, and final price before relying on any similar offer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enhanced Audio Experience with H2 Chip
- Immersive Spatial Audio for Concert-Like Sound
- Advanced Noise Cancellation & Adaptive Transparency
- All-Day Battery Life with Wireless Charging
- Intuitive Touch Controls and Always-On Siri
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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