AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Review: Release Date, Price, & More
Every fall, Apple releases a new batch of iPhones, iPad tablets, and other accessories that, for the most part, serve as an evolution and not a revolution. The popular AirPods earbuds, for example, have seen several new versions since their launch in 2016. As with the iPhone and other Apple products, the Pro models tend to offer improved performance and functionality compared to their base-model cousins.
The same can be said for the latest AirPods Pro 2nd generation, as they make several quality-of-life improvements without doing anything groundbreaking. Are they worth the money? Keep reading to find out:
Release Date
Consumers looking to score a new set of earbuds will be happy to know the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are in stores and available on sites like Amazon right now. September is always a big month for new Apple releases, so it should come as no surprise that the AirPods Pro 2 hit shelves on September 23rd.
Price & Availability
With a lot of new tech releases, shoppers are inundated with several different versions, colors, and storage options. As a result, products cover the full gamut of the price spectrum. This is nice for budget-conscious consumers but can certainly lead to some confusion.
With the AirPods Pro 2, there is no such concern. They come in one color — Apple’s trademark white — and are available for one price point: $249.99.
Design & Specs
The AirPods Pro 2 look an awful lot like the first-generation model. This is great news since the problems users had with the original earbuds were mostly software-based and had little to do with the fit and finish. Consumers who love the fit of the original AirPods Pro will be happy to learn that the silicone eartips featured in the latest version will fit just as well.
One beef with the design that was prevalent — the lack of on-device volume controls — has now been fixed: there are now touch controls on the steam of each earbud.
A new H2 chip powers the latest set of AirPods Pro, and this time volume can be controlled via the stem. This was a much sought-after improvement by Apple. Several other improvements were made for the 2nd generation version of the AirPods Pro, which we’ll discuss in detail below.
Audio Features
One benefit of Apple having so many different products in the pipeline? New features and technology always travel down the line. For example, AirPods Pro 2 users will now get the fantastic personalized spatial audio that was first available in last year’s AirPods 3.
While not a new feature, transparency mode has received a significant boost as a result of the adaptive transparency mode. This feature allows the AirPods Pro 2 to give users double the amount of noise cancellation when compared to the previous generation wireless earbuds. The previously mentioned H2 chip makes all of these new enhancements possible, as well as old favorites like active noise cancellation.
Headphone Controls
Gone are the days of having to fumble around with an iPhone to raise or lower the volume on your earbuds. As previously mentioned, touch controls are now located on the stems to provide pinpoint volume control. Users can also play, pause, and skip forward and backward thanks to these touch controls.
Charging Case
The new AirPods Pro 2 charging case looks a bit different than its predecessor. The U1 chip inside the MagSafe charging case makes finding lost wireless earbuds easier than ever. A built-in speaker will allow the user to echo-locate their earbuds.
Perhaps best of all, the case now has a lanyard loop, so users can take their AirPods Pro 2 buds everywhere they go. This entire package — both the earbuds and the charging case — are IPX4 water and sweat-resistant. If for some reason, the charging case is out of reach, the new Apple Watch charger can also be used to charge those new earbuds.
Connectivity
Consumers with a bevy of Apple devices will love the versatile connectivity found in the AirPods Pro 2. Watching a video on an iPad and a call comes in? Audio will seamlessly switch to an iPhone 14.
Bluetooth connectivity powers these wireless earbuds, with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 drivers being utilized. Integration with Siri has also been improved, with the always-on functionality found in the earbuds. iOS 16 integration is flawless, making these the perfect earbuds for users on a new iPhone 14.
Sound Quality
Wireless earbuds have a bad reputation for inferior sound quality. While they will never be able to compete against over-the-ear headsets —especially from companies like Sony and Bose — the sound quality offered up in such a small package is still phenomenal.
Apple has managed to engineer the H2 chip into an audio powerhouse — one that takes full advantage of the new personalized spatial audio features. Apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, and even Youtube videos have never sounded so good on a set of true wireless earbuds.
Call Quality
Conversations come to life with dynamic head tracking — a feature that makes it feel as though every participant is occupying physical space around the user. Again, Apple didn’t skimp, instead giving consumers a fantastic listening experience with their calls.
Battery Life
Thanks to the iterative nature of Apple products, it's not a shocker that battery life has also been improved for the second-gen AirPods Pro. Up to six hours of listening can be enjoyed single charge, even with active noise cancellation enabled. With the MagSafe case, this extends to a full thirty hours.
Are the New AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Worth the Money?
When seeking an upgrade for the iPhone 14, Android device, or iPad, shoppers need to make a few tough choices. Most important of these? Whether it's better to upgrade now or wait for an even better version. In the case of the AirPods Pro 2, are the improvements to active noise cancellation and spatial audio worth the upgrade cost? We think so, especially at the $249 price point.
If you're ready to upgrade, be sure to get your earbuds outfitted with quality skins or wraps from MightySkins. We'll help safeguard your tech investment while also adding a much-needed dose of personal style. Start creating your own today or reach out to learn more.