AirPods Pro 2 review – are the upgrades worth it?
Introduction
The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s latest upgrade to their popular wireless earbuds lineup. As an avid AirPods user myself, I was eager to get my hands on the new AirPods Pro 2 to see how they compare to my AirPods Pro. In this review, I will go in-depth on the design changes, sound quality improvements, Noise Cancellation updates, and other new features to help you decide if the upgrades are worth it.
Design
The overall design of the AirPods Pro 2 remains similar to the original AirPods Pro. They have the same in-ear design with silicone tips and short stems. However, Apple has made some subtle but useful changes.
Size and Fit
The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds and charging case have nearly identical dimensions as the originals. I found the new earbuds to have the same comfortable and secure fit when using the right size eartips. The earbuds are still lightweight and easy to wear for extended periods.
Water Resistance
One new addition is that the AirPods Pro 2 now have an IPX4 water resistance rating. This means they can withstand splashes of water from any direction. I tested this by wearing them during intense workouts and even in the rain. The water resistance provides peace of mind that sweat or rain won’t damage them.
Touch Controls
The touch controls on the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are mostly the same as on the original AirPods Pro. You can still squeeze the force sensors on the stems to play/pause music, skip tracks, answer calls, etc.
One useful upgrade is the ability to adjust volume by swiping up or down on the stems. Having volume control directly on the earbuds is very convenient.
Charging Case
The charging case got a major redesign. It now has a lanyard loop so you can easily attach it to bags, keychains, etc. This was a popular request from AirPods users.
The case also has a built-in speaker and Find My integration. You can play sounds from the case speaker to help locate it when misplaced nearby. Or use Find My app to track the case’s last known location.
Overall, the case upgrades make the AirPods Pro 2 much harder to lose while out and about.
Sound Quality
Now let’s get into the most important upgrades – the sound quality improvements.
Speakers
The AirPods Pro 2 feature newly designed, low-distortion speakers. Combined with a new amplifier, the speakers deliver improved audio with clearer vocals and richer bass.
I tested my favorite songs across various genres and definitely noticed a bump in sound quality. The bass hits harder on EDM and hip hop tracks. Acoustic guitars sound fuller and more lifelike. Vocals are clearer and have better presence.
Personalized Spatial Audio
A standout new feature is Personalized Spatial Audio. It uses the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone to create a personalized sound profile based on the size and shape of your head and ears.
This custom profile delivers a more immersive listening experience with Spatial Audio tracks. Music feels like it’s coming from all directions in a very natural way.
I was impressed by how well Personalized Spatial Audio worked. It made Spatial Audio content sound significantly better compared to the generic profile used on the original AirPods Pro.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has also been improved thanks to the new H2 chip. It blocks external noise 2x better than the original AirPods Pro.
I tested ANC in noisy environments like coffee shops and trains. It did an excellent job reducing background chatter and engine noise. The improved ANC makes it easier to focus on your music or calls without distractions.
The AirPods Pro 2 also have Adaptive Transparency mode. It dynamically adjusts the level of external noise let in based on your surroundings. This is great when you need to be more aware of traffic, announcements, etc.
Other Features
There are a few other worthwhile upgrades found on the new AirPods Pro 2.
Localization and Find My Integration
As mentioned above, the AirPods Pro 2 now have built-in Find My network integration. This makes it easy to locate a lost earbud or case using the Find My app.
There is also a localzation feature called Precision Finding. It uses directional audio and haptics in the Find My app to guide you precisely to an AirPod Pro 2 when in Bluetooth range.
Enhanced Audio Sharing
Audio Sharing has been upgraded to automatically account for differences in headphone type. When sharing audio with a friend, it will optimize the audio mix based on if they are using AirPods, Beats headphones, or a different audio device.
Touch Controls Customization
You can now customize the touch controls in iOS settings. For example, you could set a long press on the left earbud stem to skip tracks instead of summoning Siri. This added flexibility is handy.
Extended Battery Life
Thanks to efficiency gains, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver longer battery life – up to 6 hours playback on a charge. Combined with the case, you get over 30 hours total listening time. This is about 1.5 hours better than the original AirPods Pro.
Conclusion
So are the upgrades worth it? As an avid AirPods user, I can confidently say yes.
The improved sound quality with richer bass and clearer vocals makes music and calls sound better. Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive ANC are game-changing features that provide a more immersive listening experience. And the design tweaks like water resistance, lanyard loop, and Find My integration add everyday practicality.
While not revolutionary, the upgrades across audio, design, and features make the AirPods Pro 2 a worthwhile investment for both new and existing AirPods users. I highly recommend upgrading if you want the absolute best wireless listening experience on Apple devices. The second generation AirPods Pro earn their “Pro” name and justify the premium price tag.
