Apple has finally announced the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), or AirPods Pro 2, as a successor to the AirPods Pro released three years ago, but what makes the new pair of earbuds different from the original? AirPods are practically the most popular earbuds in the world, with Apple selling millions of units yearly. One of the reasons why they sell so many units is because they easily get lost, just like any pair of earbuds.
Thousands of AirPods are reported missing every year worldwide, with a fair amount being just a single earbud. Apple charges $69 for a replacement left or right AirPod and $89 for a replacement AirPod Pro. Some lose their charging case, and for that, Apple charges $79 for the wireless charging case or MagSafe charging case for the AirPods 3 and older and $10 extra for the AirPods Pro.
The AirPods Pro 2 doesn’t look different from the original. They still have stems and an in-ear design and are rated IPX4 (including the case) for sweat and water resistance. However, the charging case has received some new additions, such as a speaker and a lanyard loop. The new AirPods Pro 2 are also a tiny bit lighter at 5.3 grams per earbud compared to the 5.4 grams weight of the previous generation. Furthermore, Apple is still sticking to a single color option, so buyers will only be able to purchase the new AirPods Pro 2 in white.
AirPods Pro 2 Vs. AirPods Pro: ANC, Spatial Audio & Battery
The new AirPods Pro 2 has the same dynamic drivers and amplifiers as the AirPods Pro. However, a new H2 chip replaces the H1 chip inside the AirPods Pro. This new chip brings improvements to several features of the AirPods Pro, such as active noise cancelation, improved 3D audio (spatial audio) and better battery life. In addition, Apple says users will be able to create ‘Personalized Spatial Audio,’ based on the geometry of their head using the TrueDepth camera on their iPhones.
Like the AirPods Pro, the new earbuds have a force sensor for controlling playback and calls. There is also a touch sensor that users can swipe up and down to adjust the volume, a feature missing from the first-generation model. Another significant change is the charging case. Apple has added a speaker to the case so that it can emit a sound and be easily found using the Find My app, and with a U1 chip inside, just like in the AirTag, there is precision finding. The case also emits a sound when the battery is low and when pairing is complete. In addition, it retains the Lightning port for charging. It also supports MagSafe wireless charging.
The new AirPods Pro 2 also pairs instantly with the iPhone via Bluetooth 5.3, has hands-free “Hey Siri” support, as well as Audio Sharing and automatic switching between Apple devices connected to the same account. Concerning battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 last up to six hours on a single charge and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. This is an improvement over the 4.5 hours of the AirPods Pro and 24 hours total with the MagSafe charging case. As expected, there is support for fast charging — a five-minute charge will provide up to one hour of use. Despite all the new features, Apple has kept the price of the AirPods Pro 2 unchanged at $249. Apple also ships the AirPods Pro 2 with four pairs of silicone tips, including a new extra-small size.