Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have solidified their position as a leading choice in the premium wireless earbud market. Building on the success of the original AirPods Pro, this second-generation model introduces significant upgrades in audio quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and health-focused features.
With a sleek design, seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, and innovative technologies like the H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 2 offer a compelling package for both casual listeners and audiophiles.
Design and Build Quality
The AirPods Pro 2 retain the iconic design of their predecessor, with a compact, stem-based form factor that fits snugly in the ear. Available in a glossy white finish, the earbuds are lightweight at 5.3 grams each, ensuring comfort during extended use.
The IPX4 water and sweat resistance rating makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities, though they’re not designed for submersion.
The charging case has been subtly refined, now featuring a lanyard loop and a built-in speaker for easier location via Apple’s Find My network. The case supports multiple charging methods, including MagSafe, Qi wireless, and Lightning, with USB-C compatibility added in later updates.
A new U1 chip in the case enables Precision Finding, allowing users to locate it with directional guidance on compatible iPhones.
The earbuds come with four silicone tip sizes (XS, S, M, L), an upgrade from the three sizes offered previously. This ensures a better fit for a wider range of ear shapes, improving both comfort and noise isolation. The design remains understated yet functional, blending style with practicality.
Audio Performance
At the heart of the AirPods Pro 2 is Apple’s custom H2 chip, which delivers significant improvements in audio processing, connectivity, and power efficiency. The chip enhances sound quality through advanced computational audio, offering a richer and more detailed listening experience compared to the original AirPods Pro.
The AirPods Pro 2 feature a new low-distortion driver and a custom amplifier, resulting in crisp highs, deep bass, and a balanced midrange. Whether listening to classical music, hip-hop, or podcasts, the earbuds deliver impressive clarity and dynamism. The adaptive EQ automatically tunes the sound to the user’s ear shape, ensuring consistent performance across genres.
Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking remains a standout feature, creating an immersive, theater-like experience for supported content. When paired with Apple Music or streaming platforms like Netflix, Spatial Audio makes music and movies feel more three-dimensional. The feature is particularly effective for Dolby Atmos tracks, where instruments and vocals seem to surround the listener.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The AirPods Pro 2 boast twice the noise cancellation power of their predecessor, thanks to the H2 chip and improved acoustic architecture. The ANC effectively blocks out ambient sounds, such as traffic, office chatter, or airplane noise, making them ideal for commuters and travelers. Real-world tests show that low-frequency sounds, like engine rumble, are almost entirely eliminated, while mid- and high-frequency noises are significantly reduced.
The Adaptive Transparency mode is another highlight, allowing users to hear their surroundings while filtering out harsh sounds, such as construction noise or sirens. This mode uses real-time processing to adjust audio levels, providing a natural and safe way to stay aware of the environment.
Health and Accessibility Features
One of the most groundbreaking additions to the AirPods Pro 2 is their health-focused capabilities, particularly for hearing health. In 2024, Apple introduced a software update that transformed the AirPods Pro 2 into a clinical-grade hearing aid for users with mild to moderate hearing loss.
This feature, approved by the FDA, uses personalized hearing profiles based on audiogram data or self-administered tests via the iPhone.
The hearing aid mode amplifies specific frequencies to enhance speech and environmental sounds, making conversations and media more accessible. Users can adjust settings through the iOS Health app, which also tracks hearing health metrics over time.
This functionality positions the AirPods Pro 2 as a dual-purpose device, combining premium audio with medical-grade utility.
Additionally, the earbuds include a Hearing Protection feature that monitors environmental noise levels and reduces exposure to loud sounds. This is particularly useful for concertgoers or workers in noisy environments, helping to prevent long-term hearing damage.
Connectivity and Ecosystem Integration
The AirPods Pro 2 are designed to work seamlessly within Apple’s ecosystem. Pairing with an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch is instantaneous, thanks to the H2 chip and iCloud syncing. Switching between devices is smooth, with no need to manually reconnect.
The earbuds support hands-free Siri, allowing users to control music, send messages, or check notifications with voice commands. Personalized Spatial Audio, introduced with iOS 16, uses TrueDepth camera data to create a custom sound profile, further enhancing the listening experience.
The Find My integration is a practical addition, enabling users to locate misplaced earbuds or the case with precision. The charging case’s speaker emits a chime to aid in recovery, and the U1 chip provides visual and haptic feedback on compatible devices.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a strong point for the AirPods Pro 2, offering up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled (7 hours without) and up to 30 hours total with the charging case. This is a noticeable improvement over the original AirPods Pro, which provided 4.5 hours per charge.
Quick charging delivers an hour of playback from just 5 minutes in the case, making them convenient for on-the-go use.
The case’s multiple charging options add versatility. MagSafe and Qi wireless charging are ideal for users with compatible pads, while the USB-C port aligns with Apple’s shift away from Lightning. The case’s compact size makes it easy to carry, though some users may find the glossy finish prone to scratches.
Software and Customization
The AirPods Pro 2 are deeply integrated with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, offering extensive customization through the Settings app. Users can adjust ANC and Transparency modes, enable or disable Spatial Audio, and fine-tune touch controls.
The earbuds support on-ear detection, automatically pausing playback when removed and resuming when reinserted.
A new touch control feature allows users to swipe on the stem to adjust volume, complementing the existing tap and press gestures for playback and call management. The controls are intuitive, though some users may need time to adapt to the swipe gesture’s sensitivity.
Over-the-air software updates ensure the AirPods Pro 2 remain future-proof. The 2024 hearing aid feature, for example, was delivered via a firmware update, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to adding value post-purchase.
Comparison with Competitors
The AirPods Pro 2 compete in a crowded market with rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. While Sony offers superior sound quality for audiophiles and Bose excels in ANC, the AirPods Pro 2 strike a balance between performance and ecosystem integration. The hearing aid feature is a unique differentiator, unmatched by competitors at the time of writing.
Price-wise, the AirPods Pro 2 retail at $249, positioning them in the premium segment. Discounts are common, with prices often dropping to $199 during sales. Compared to Sony’s $299 WF-1000XM5, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better value for Apple users, though Android users may prefer alternatives with broader compatibility.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional ANC and Transparency modes
- Rich, immersive sound with Spatial Audio
- FDA-approved hearing aid functionality
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Improved battery life and versatile charging
- Compact, comfortable design
Cons
- Limited codec support (AAC only, no aptX or LDAC)
- Some features exclusive to Apple devices
- Glossy case prone to scratches
- High price for non-Apple users
The AirPods Pro 2 are a triumph of engineering and design, offering a blend of premium audio, cutting-edge health features, and unmatched ecosystem integration. The H2 chip powers best-in-class noise cancellation, immersive Spatial Audio, and a groundbreaking hearing aid mode, making these earbuds a versatile choice for a wide audience. While their full potential is realized within Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 still deliver strong performance for non-Apple users.
