Airpods Pro vs Pro 2: Which Apple Earbuds Reign Supreme?
Are you ready to elevate your audio experience? The world of premium earbuds has a new champion, but the competition is fierce. We’re diving deep into the battle between the original Apple AirPods Pro and the upgraded AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
This comparison will help you decide which pair is the perfect fit for your lifestyle. We’ll explore everything from sound quality and noise cancellation to battery life and design. Get ready to discover which Apple earbuds truly deserve a spot in your ears.
The AirPods Pro promised a revolution in personal audio, and the Pro 2 aims to build upon that success. We’ll examine the key differences, highlighting the advancements and improvements that make the newer model stand out. Let’s find out if the upgrade is worth it!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | AirPods Pro | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | H1 | H2 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes (Improved) |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes (Adaptive) |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes (Personalized) |
| Charging Case | Wired, Wireless | Wired, Wireless, Speaker, Lanyard Loop |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Custom Ear Tips | 3 sizes | 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes (Swipe for Volume) |
| Find My Support | Yes | Yes |
| Case Speaker | No | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Audio Quality
- Apple Airpod Pro: Offers good audio quality with a balanced sound profile and decent bass. It provides a generally pleasant listening experience, but may lack the detail of higher-end headphones. The sound isolation is effective, enhancing the overall audio quality.
- Pro 2: Upgrades the audio experience with improved sound clarity and enhanced bass compared to the original AirPods Pro. It features a new low-distortion driver and customized amplifier, leading to a more immersive and detailed soundstage.
- Winner: Pro 2
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Apple Airpod Pro: Features effective ANC that significantly reduces ambient noise, making it suitable for noisy environments. However, the ANC performance might not be as advanced as the latest generation. Some users may experience slight pressure in their ears.
- Pro 2: Boasts improved ANC performance, offering a greater reduction in background noise compared to the original AirPods Pro. It leverages advanced processing to adapt to the environment, providing a more immersive and quiet listening experience.
- Winner: Pro 2
Transparency Mode
- Apple Airpod Pro: Provides a natural-sounding Transparency mode, allowing users to hear their surroundings while wearing the earbuds. It’s useful for conversations or staying aware of the environment, but can sometimes sound slightly artificial.
- Pro 2: Enhances Transparency mode with Adaptive Transparency, which reduces loud noises like sirens or construction while maintaining the ability to hear surrounding sounds. This offers a more refined and comfortable experience.
- Winner: Pro 2
Fit and Comfort
- Apple Airpod Pro: Offers a comfortable and secure fit with interchangeable silicone ear tips. The design is generally well-received and suitable for various ear shapes, but some users may still find the fit less than perfect.
- Pro 2: Maintains the same overall design with improved ear tip options and a more secure fit, as the new XS ear tip is available. This can improve comfort and stability during workouts or other activities.
- Winner: Tie
Charging and Battery Life
- Apple Airpod Pro: Offers a decent battery life with the charging case providing multiple additional charges. The charging case supports wireless charging, adding convenience. Overall battery life is good for typical use.
- Pro 2: Improves battery life slightly compared to the original AirPods Pro, offering a bit more listening time on a single charge. The charging case is upgraded, and also supports wireless charging.
- Winner: Pro 2
Controls
- Apple Airpod Pro: Features touch controls on the stems for playback control, call handling, and activating Siri. The controls are responsive and easy to use, but may require some getting used to.
- Pro 2: Retains the touch controls on the stems, but also adds swipe controls for volume adjustment. This provides more intuitive control over the audio experience.
- Winner: Pro 2
Water Resistance
- Apple Airpod Pro: Offers an IPX4 water resistance rating, which provides protection against splashes and sweat. This makes them suitable for workouts and light rain.
- Pro 2: Maintains the IPX4 water resistance rating, offering the same level of protection.
- Winner: Tie
Connectivity and Features
- Apple Airpod Pro: Integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, offering features like automatic device switching and spatial audio. Connection is generally fast and reliable within the Apple ecosystem.
- Pro 2: Improves connectivity with faster pairing and more stable connections. It also introduces features like personalized spatial audio, further enhancing the listening experience.
- Winner: Pro 2
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall Performance | AirPods Pro 2 |
| Noise Cancellation | AirPods Pro 2 |
| Sound Quality | AirPods Pro 2 |
| Features | AirPods Pro 2 |
| Value | AirPods Pro |
| Battery Life | AirPods Pro 2 |
What They Have in Common
- Active Noise Cancellation: Both AirPods Pro models feature Active Noise Cancellation, designed to block out external noise for a more immersive listening experience. This technology uses microphones to detect and counteract ambient sounds.
- Transparency Mode: Both offer Transparency mode, allowing you to hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. This is useful for conversations or remaining aware of your environment.
- Spatial Audio: Both support Spatial Audio, which creates a three-dimensional listening experience that makes it feel like the sound is coming from all around you. This feature enhances the immersion, especially when watching movies.
- Water Resistance: Both AirPods Pro models are rated IPX4 for water resistance, meaning they can withstand splashes and sweat. This makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
- Seamless Integration: Both models seamlessly integrate with the Apple ecosystem, including easy pairing with Apple devices and access to Siri. This allows for simple setup and use across all your devices.
- Comfortable Design: Both AirPods Pro models share a similar in-ear design with silicone ear tips, providing a comfortable and secure fit for most users. This design helps to block out external noise.
Apple Airpod Pro Vs Pro 2 Buying Guide
Design and Comfort
Both the AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 boast a similar design, prioritizing comfort and a secure fit. The original AirPods Pro introduced the now-iconic stem design. The Pro 2 refines this with a slightly updated shape and added ear tip sizes, aiming for improved fit and stability. Consider your ear shape and preferences; if you found the original comfortable, the Pro 2 is likely an improvement. Both offer a comfortable experience, making them suitable for extended listening sessions. Try both if possible to determine which fits your ears best.
Audio Quality and Performance
The AirPods Pro 2 significantly enhances audio quality compared to the original. The Pro 2 features an upgraded H2 chip, delivering improved noise cancellation, and a more immersive soundstage. The original AirPods Pro provides excellent sound, but the Pro 2 offers a noticeable upgrade in clarity and detail, especially in bass response. The sound quality is richer and more balanced. For audiophiles, the Pro 2 will be a better choice. Casual listeners will still enjoy the excellent audio of the original Pro.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Noise cancellation is a key feature, and the Pro 2 excels here. The upgraded H2 chip in the Pro 2 provides significantly improved noise cancellation, blocking out more ambient sound than the original. The transparency mode on the Pro 2 is also superior, allowing you to hear your surroundings more naturally. Both offer effective noise cancellation, but the Pro 2 is a clear winner in this category. This is crucial for noisy environments. The ability to switch between modes is a key advantage.
Battery Life and Charging Case
Battery life is improved in the AirPods Pro 2. The Pro 2 offers slightly longer battery life than the original, particularly with the charging case. Both offer good battery life, suitable for a day’s use. The charging case of the Pro 2 has also been updated, featuring a lanyard loop and a speaker for easier location using Find My. The original’s case is still functional. The Pro 2’s case improvements add convenience. Evaluate your use case before determining which is sufficient.
Features and Functionality
The AirPods Pro 2 introduces several new features, including personalized spatial audio, volume control directly on the stems, and a more refined user experience. The original AirPods Pro is still feature-rich, offering features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode. The Pro 2’s new features enhance the overall user experience. The personalized spatial audio creates a more immersive sound experience. These additional features justify the price difference for many users. The Pro 2 provides more value.
Price and Value
The original AirPods Pro is often available at a lower price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. The AirPods Pro 2 comes with a higher price tag, reflecting its improved features and performance. While the Pro 2 offers superior performance, the original AirPods Pro still provides excellent value for its price. Consider your budget and priorities; if audio quality and features are paramount, the Pro 2 is worth the investment. However, the original offers excellent value.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy AirPods Pro If…
- You want a great pair of noise-canceling earbuds at a lower price point.
- You are satisfied with the existing feature set and don’t need the latest upgrades.
- You prioritize a balance between performance and value.
Buy AirPods Pro 2 If…
- You want the best possible noise cancellation and sound quality.
- You value the improved battery life and the upgraded H2 chip.
- You desire the additional features like personalized Spatial Audio and the case speaker.
- You want the latest advancements in audio technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 boasts several improvements over the original, including an upgraded H2 chip for enhanced audio quality, superior noise cancellation, and a more immersive soundstage. The Pro 2 also features longer battery life, personalized spatial audio, and volume control directly on the stems. The charging case has also been updated. The original is still a very capable option.
Which AirPods Pro is better for noise cancellation?
The AirPods Pro 2 offers significantly improved noise cancellation compared to the original AirPods Pro. The upgraded H2 chip in the Pro 2 allows for more effective blocking of ambient noise, making it a better choice for noisy environments like airplanes or busy streets. The original offers good noise cancellation, but the Pro 2 is a clear step up.
Does the AirPods Pro 2 have better sound quality than the original AirPods Pro?
Yes, the AirPods Pro 2 delivers a noticeably improved sound quality compared to the original. The H2 chip enhances clarity, detail, and bass response, resulting in a richer and more balanced audio experience. The soundstage is also more immersive. The original AirPods Pro still sounds great, but the Pro 2 offers a more refined listening experience.
How is the battery life different between the two models?
The AirPods Pro 2 offers slightly longer battery life than the original AirPods Pro, particularly when combined with the charging case. Both models provide sufficient battery life for a full day of use. The Pro 2’s case also provides more charge cycles. The Pro 2 provides a slight advantage, allowing for more time between charges, which is a key advantage for frequent travelers.
What are the new features of the AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 introduces several new features, including personalized spatial audio, volume control directly on the stems, and an updated charging case with a lanyard loop and speaker. The Pro 2 also boasts improved noise cancellation and transparency mode. These features enhance the overall user experience and add convenience compared to the original AirPods Pro.
Which AirPods Pro is the best value for the money?
The original AirPods Pro often provides better value, as it is typically available at a lower price. While the AirPods Pro 2 offers superior performance and features, the original AirPods Pro still delivers excellent audio quality, noise cancellation, and a comfortable design. Your budget and priorities will determine which is best for you.
Can I use the AirPods Pro 2 with my older iPhone?
Yes, the AirPods Pro 2 is compatible with older iPhones and other Apple devices that support Bluetooth. However, you may not be able to access all the advanced features, such as personalized spatial audio, if your device doesn’t support the latest software updates. Check your device compatibility to make sure it will work with the latest features.
Final Verdict
The AirPods Pro 2 emerges as the superior choice, offering significant improvements in audio quality, noise cancellation, and features. While the original AirPods Pro remains a strong contender with excellent value, the Pro 2’s enhanced performance and added functionality make it the better overall investment for those seeking the best possible listening experience. The Pro 2’s upgrades justify the cost for most users.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2