This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice about Apple’s most popular product.
The long-rumored AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are official. Apple unveiled its latest true wireless noise-cancelling headphones as part of its “Far Out” iPhone 14 event. They’re available for pre-order on Friday and will ship from September 23 for $249 (£249, AU$399).
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The new AirPods Pro follow the original noise-canceling model that debuted in October 2019. They’re powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which provides more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that should offer better clarity and depth. Noise cancellation has also been improved – Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise cancellation of the original AirPods Pro.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET
Pre-orders for the 2022 AirPods Pro model begin on September 9, with the first sets of the new headphones starting to ship on September 23.
My early hands-on impressions
I got a chance to try the AirPods Pro 2 for a limited time at the launch event in the noisy demo area, with hundreds of people around me. The noise canceling does seem to have improved, though it did manage to drown out the room noise that much. I also thought the headphones sounded cleaner and clearer than the original AirPods Pro while listening to a few songs on Apple’s iPhone 14 demo phones. (I wasn’t able to use the headphones with my own iPhone and the songs I usually use to test headphones.)
I think it’s really important to get a tight seal to achieve optimal noise reduction and sound quality. Apple hasn’t changed the design of its ear tips—with the original AirPods, I use the oversized ones and also use third-party foam tips—but it will now include a fourth, extra-small ear tip for those with smaller ears.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip.
An apple
Some people were hoping that the new AirPods Pro would be able to stream Apple Lossless songs wirelessly. Apple hasn’t mentioned anything about it, but it’s possible that some features will be revealed at a later date. With the original AirPods Pro, for example, Apple didn’t introduce Spatial Audio for months after their release.
As for spatial audio, Apple says AirPods Pro now have Custom Spatial Audio, which creates a more personalized listening experience for your ears. Transparency mode has also been improved and adapts to the ambient noise you encounter, and there’s a new custom surround audio feature, along with touch-slide controls on the stems to add to the pinch controls.
Battery life is now up to six hours on a single charge (up from five), and the case gives you an extra four charges. Additionally, the box now has a built-in speaker that allows it to play sounds for use with Apple’s precision Find My feature.
The new case has a place to attach a strap, but Apple doesn’t include one with the new AirPods Pro.
David Carnoy/CNET
While some people may be disappointed that Apple didn’t do more to upgrade the design of the AirPods Pro 2 (there are some tweaks to the microphone configuration and some other small improvements, including the vents), the second-generation AirPods Pro are largely what I expected them to be: better-sounding AirPods Pro with better noise cancellation, better battery life, and a wireless charging case with some improved features.
I’ll have a lot more to say about them in my full review — stay tuned — in which I’ll compare them to some other top noise-cancelling headphones, including Bose’s new QuietComfort Earbuds II, which were also unveiled this week.
Key features of AirPods Pro 2
- Same design as previous AirPods Pro
- Powered by Apple H2 chip
- Improved sound with new low distortion drivers
- Improved noise cancellation (Apple says double the amount of ANC)
- Adaptive transparency mode
- Custom surround audio
- The charging case now has a built-in speaker on the bottom that allows it to play sound using the Precision Find My feature
- 6 hours of built-in battery capacity (1 hour more than the original AirPods Pro) with an additional 24 hours in the charging case
- Touch drag controls added to stem pinch controls
- It can now be charged with an Apple Watch charger along with Qi wireless chargers
- The link can be connected to the case (the link is not included)
- Price: $249, £249, AU$399
- Ship Date: September 23rd (Available for pre-order September 9th)
The second-generation AirPods Pro are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip.
An apple
Read more: Best wireless headphones of 2022
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