by Juli Clover
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirPods Pro, which are equipped with an all-new H2 chip. The H2 is the successor to the H1, and it enables new features like improved noise cancellation, a new transparency mode, and better sound.
- Active Noise Cancellation - The H2 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 cancels twice as much noise compared to the original AirPods Pro.
- Adaptive Transparency Mode - The H2 chip allows for on-device processing that reduces loud environmental sounds like a siren, construction work, or loud speakers at a concert without silencing noise entirely.
- Improved Acoustics - Apple says the H2 chip provides an "exceptional acoustic experience" when paired with the new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier. The AirPods Pro offer richer bass and clearer sound across a wider range of frequencies.
- Personalized Spatial Audio - Apple touted personalized spatial audio as an AirPods Pro 2 highlight, with the feature being introduced in iOS 16. This isn't an AirPods 2 exclusive as it uses the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone, but it does work with the AirPods Pro 2.
Other AirPods Pro 2 features include touch controls for adjusting volume right on the AirPods themselves, an improved skin detect sensor that more accurately turns playback on and off, and an improved battery that lasts for a total of 6 hours, up 1.5 hours from the prior-generation model.
The AirPods Pro case also features IPX4 sweat and water resistance along with a lanyard loop, Memoji customization, Find My improvements, and a built-in speaker for locating the case should it be lost.
Notably, the AirPods Pro 2 do not feature support for lossless audio as was rumored because they still use Bluetooth functionality that does not offer the ability to play Apple Lossless Audio Codec files.
Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods
[ 104 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
dannys1
19 months ago
Someone will mention lossless audio and that means they won't buy it. Ignore them, you can't hear the difference. You can't hear the difference on a £10,000 mastering studio setup with golden ears, it's been proven time and time again by the worlds best ears. No one here has the worlds best ears, despite what placebo they think - the upgrades to the drivers and processing are much much much more important and impactful.
If they tell you otherwise, they're wrong.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero
19 months ago
The volume control is the feature I care most about. The others are nice-to-haves, but that alone is worth the upgrade.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Phuz01
19 months ago
This is a major disappointment. Apple used to be on the cutting edge with hardware development, but now a competitor is going to beat Apple to market with headphones that take advantage of advancements in Bluetooth technology. Given the bandwidth Apple Music has devoted to making its library lossless, it’s a bit strange that the only piece of hardware that allows listeners to fully take advantage of this upgrade is the Apple TV.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pfchangsgavemethesh*ts
19 months ago
They didn't even go with the contact sensor to know its in your ear. Bugs me when things start playing when I put the AirPods into a pocket or on a table
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan
19 months ago
I find it hilarious that people here think they can hear the difference of lossless with a tiny ear bud.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lozion
19 months ago
Any new codecs supported?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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