The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Review: A Worthy Upgrade for iPhone Users
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is more than just a minor upgrade of its predecessor. While maintaining the familiar design, it boasts notable improvements in sound quality, active noise cancellation, and features, making it a compelling choice for iPhone users seeking a premium true wireless experience. However, with its deep integration into the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) falls short for Android users, who may find other options with more versatile functionality and a broader appeal.
Design and Features: Familiar Yet Refined
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) retains the recognizable white design of its predecessor, sporting a snug in-canal fit that ensures excellent noise isolation and enhances the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation. The force-touch button on each earpiece remains largely unchanged, allowing for intuitive control of playback, calls, and switching between ANC and transparency modes.
A welcome addition is the integration of volume control directly on the earpieces. Now, users can adjust volume by sliding a finger up or down on the force-touch area, streamlining the listening experience and reducing the need to fumble for the iPhone.
The charging case undergoes a significant transformation. While retaining the familiar shape and size, it features a new looped hook for attaching a lanyard, MagSafe compatibility for wireless charging, and a small speaker at the bottom, which enables unique functionality.
The speaker on the charging case serves a dual purpose:
- Enhanced Find My functionality: The case, equipped with Apple’s U1 chip, emits a loud sound when pinged through the Find My app, making it easier to locate.
- Information chimes: Soft chimes are emitted from the case during specific events, such as initiating a charging cycle.
The ability to view the battery level of both earpieces and the case on iOS devices, even when the earphones are inside the case, is a practical and convenient feature, showcasing the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)’s seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Beyond the core features, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also offers:
- Enhanced active noise cancellation
- Quick pairing with Apple devices
- Seamless switching between multiple Apple devices
- Personalised Spatial Audio, leveraging iPhone’s camera to create a tailored profile for immersive sound
- IPX4 water resistance for both the earpieces and the charging case
The sales package includes a USB Type-C to Lightning charging cable and four pairs of ear tips of different sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for various ear shapes.
Specifications and Controls: Apple Ecosystem Integration Takes Center Stage
While the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) can be used with any compatible device thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, its full functionality and customisation capabilities are unlocked only when paired with an iOS device.
Here’s a breakdown of the key settings accessible on iOS:
- Battery level display: The U1 chip allows for a clear graphical display of the battery level for both earpieces and the charging case.
- ANC/Transparency mode control: Users can easily switch between ANC and transparency modes.
- Press-and-hold gesture customization: The function of the press-and-hold gesture can be set to invoke Siri or cycle between ANC/transparency modes.
- Ear tip fit test: This feature helps optimize the fit for optimal sound quality and noise isolation.
- Adaptive Transparency mode: This feature reduces loud sounds while maintaining environmental awareness, even with Transparency mode active.
- Automatic ear detection: The improved Skin Detect sensor provides accurate recognition of when the earpieces are in place.
- Optimized battery charging: The headset balances battery life and charging efficiency.
- Find My functionality: Users can locate lost or misplaced earpieces and the charging case.
- Charging chimes: Gentle chimes can be enabled to alert users when the charging case is connected to power.
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is also equipped with:
- Apple’s new H2 chip, promising enhanced ANC, audio performance, and battery life.
- Adaptive EQ technology, which dynamically adjusts the sound signature for different tracks.
- Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless and stable connectivity.
Performance and Battery Life: A Symphony of Sound and Convenience
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) excel in the Apple ecosystem. While technically compatible with Android devices, their full potential is realised when paired with an iPhone. The optimized audio codecs and seamless integration ensure a superior listening experience.
Compared to competing true wireless earphones such as the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) might lack the same level of analytical detail and precision. However, they compensate with a carefully tuned sound signature, Adaptive EQ, and Personalised Spatial Audio, which enhance the listening experience.
Here’s a closer look at the performance aspects:
- Sound quality: The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) deliver a full, spacious soundstage, with impressive bass response. Adaptive EQ and Personalised Spatial Audio contribute to a rich, dynamic sound that caters to diverse musical preferences.
- Active Noise Cancellation: The H2 chip significantly improves ANC performance, effectively blocking out a wide range of noise frequencies and creating a tranquil listening environment.
- Transparency mode: The transparency mode provides a natural and immersive experience, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying their music.
- Call quality: Conversation clarity is excellent, even in noisy environments.
- Battery life: The earphones offer up to 5 hours of playtime on a single charge, while the charging case provides an additional four full charges, resulting in a total of 25 hours of battery life.
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support:
- Qi wireless charging, including Apple’s MagSafe standard.
- Wireless charging with an Apple Watch charger.
Verdict: A Premium Apple Experience, But Limited Compatibility
The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are a significant upgrade over their predecessors, boasting refined sound quality, improved ANC, and an innovative charging case with intelligent features. They integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, offering unrivaled convenience and functionality for iPhone users.
However, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) remain deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Their features and capabilities are best realized when paired with an iPhone. This limitation makes them a less appealing option for Android users, who may find equally impressive – or even better – alternatives with greater flexibility and compatibility.
Here’s a concise breakdown of the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)’s strengths and drawbacks:
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality with Adaptive EQ and Personalised Spatial Audio.
- Superior active noise cancellation.
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Innovative charging case with MagSafe charging, Find My support, and a speaker.
- Outstanding battery life.
- Intuitive controls with volume adjustment on the earpieces.
Cons:
- Limited compatibility with Android devices.
- Relatively expensive compared to some Android-centric true wireless earphones.
- Wired charging utilizes the Lightning connector.
In summary, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are an excellent choice for iPhone users seeking premium true wireless earphones with excellent sound, impressive ANC, and convenient features. However, Android users might want to explore other options with greater compatibility and versatility.
