You seen aftermarket wireless charging solutions for Apple AirPods, now meet the official wireless charging solution straight from.. no, not Apple. Sorry to disappoint. But it is Bang & Olufsen that we are talking about. The Danish high-end audio/visual equipment maker has updated its Beoplay E8 True Wireless Earbuds to include a wireless charging case, along with some improvements here and there. With the E8 2.0, as it is called, Bang & Olufsen becomes one of the first companies to offer wireless charging for a pair of true wireless in-ear headphones.
In addition, the new E8 also the case also gets added battery life, capable of charging the true wireless earbuds up to 3 times for a total of 16 hours. In contrast, the current E8 only makes 12 hours. Also new are new LEDs that lets you in on the remaining charge and the presence of USB-C. But what is a wireless charging case without matching charging pad, right? And for that, B&O also announced a new wireless charging pad with support for up to 10W wireless fast charging, dressed in the unmistakable B&O style of brushed aluminum and cowhide leather.
Beyond that, it is not known if there’s any changes under the hood of the pair of earbuds. Looking at the $350 sticker it is asking in return, it gotta have some improvement in the audio reproduction department, right, right? I mean, after all, it is a 50-buck premium over the current E8. Granted, 50 dollars could be just a drop in the ocean for B&O target market, it is still a significant bump in the price. Knowing Bang & Olufsen, I’d think price definitely does not include the said wireless charging pad. Like, duh… obviously, right?
If you belong to B&O targeted segment (i.e. rich with quite some disposable income), then look out for the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 Wireless Earbuds starting February 14, 2019, when it becomes available at Bang & Olufsen website, brick and mortar stores, and authorized retailers. Existing E8 only will not be left out in the cold; B&O will be selling the wireless charging case separately for $200. It is not known how much the wireless charging pad will cost.
Images: Bang & Olufsen.
Source: 9to5Mac.
