AirPods Pro sport the same design …but pack a truckload of new features (Image: APPLE)
Apple has announced its second-generation AirPods Pro, the priciest wireless earbuds on offer from the company. Apple revealed that AirPods Pro are its best-selling earbuds during the latest event, teased with the tagline “Far Out” that also saw the reveal of iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.
The second-generation AirPods Pro will hit store shelves in the UK from September 23, 2022 with a slightly higher price tag of £249 (the original AirPods Pro cost £239 at launch). if you’re quick, it’s possible to secure some of the best AirPods Pro deals around as retailers try to sell off their remaining stock of the first-generation ‘buds. Of course, by doing that, you’ll miss out on some of the newest features.
For those who regularly lose their AirPods, there’s a lot to like about the second-generation AirPods Pro.
That’s because the redesigned case includes a U1 ultrawide band chipset, so those with a U1-enabled iPhone (that’s anything from the iPhone 11 onwards) will be able to track down their misplaced AirPods Pro with an arrow pointing you in the right direction and a countdown of the total distance still left to travel.
If that doesn’t do the trick, Apple has added a small speaker into the case, so it can play a sound when lost. Like the first-generation AirPods Pro, released back in October 2019, each earbud can play a sound when lost too – helping you locate a misplaced ‘bud.
And if all of that wasn’t enough to stop you from losing your shiny new wireless earbuds …Apple has added compatibility for a lanyard loop, so you can attach your AirPods Pro to your keyring or belt. So, now that you can never lose your AirPods Pro (touch wood), what about the sound?
The built-in loophole for a lanyard lets you attach your AirPods Pro to a bag or keyring (Image: APPLE)
Apple says users can expect improved audio performance, thanks to a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier tucked inside each ‘bud. But the real secret sauce of the AirPods Pro is the software that’s constantly altering and tweaking the sound. Spatial Audio, which places sounds within the physical space around the listener – giving the impression of being sat in the middle of a surround sound system, has been upgraded with the AirPods Pro.
Apple will now personalise the performance of Spatial Audio based on your personal attributes. This new software feature is only possible thanks to the more powerful H2 system-on-a-chip tucked inside the AirPods Pro, the Californian company says. To do this, Apple uses the front-facing camera on iPhone to scan your facial features to generate an individual profile for Spatial Audio that delivers a listening experience precisely tuned for you.
Personalised Spatial Audio works across music, movies, and TV shows. Dynamic head tracking tweaks the performance – keeping sounds mapped out around you even as you turn your head and move in physical space.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are powered by the all-new H2 system-on-a-chip (Image: APPLE)
The improved H2 chipset is also behind the upgraded noise-cancellation, which Apple says quashes twice as many disruptive background sounds as the first-generation AirPods Pro. Transparency mode, which made its debut with the original AirPods Pro, lets the real-world penetrate through your music or podcast – so you can listen out for an important tannoy announcement at the airport or railway station.
With the new AirPods Pro, Apple has introduced Adaptive Transparency which reduces loud environmental noise – like a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, or even loud speakers at a concert – in real-time for a more comfortable everyday listening experience.
AirPods Pro now include touch controls on the stem of each earbud, so that a light swipe up or down adjusts the volume.
Apple has fitted a small speaker into the bottom of the case, so you can play a sound to find it (Image: APPLE)
The H2 chipset is more efficient, boosting battery life in the new AirPods Pro. Each earbud can last 6 hours (that’s a 33% increase compared to its predecessor) between charges. Pop the ‘buds back into the case to recharge the battery, with a total of 30-hours of listening time available before you’ll need to plug-in the carry case. For more flexibility when travelling, customers can charge AirPods Pro with an Apple Watch charger for the first time …in addition to a MagSafe charger, Qi-certified charging mat, or the Lightning cable.
Finally, there’s a new Extra Small ear tip size in the box to deliver an improved fit to more customers.
AirPods will be available to preorder from September 9, with the wireless ‘buds hitting store shelves on September 23.