Apple announced the new AirPods Pro 2, successor to the AirPods Pro, during the Far Out event. AirPods Pro 2 comes with new features making it more attractive.
However, if you’re planning to get a new pair of AirPods Pro, you might be confused between the AirPods Pro 2 and the old AirPods Pro. If that’s the case with you, I’ve prepared a detailed comparison between the two to help you make a better purchase decision.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Design
There’s little to no change in the size and shape of the AirPods Pro 2 compared to the AirPods Pro. However, there’s a minor change in their weights. The AirPods Pro 2 weighs 5.3 grams, while the AirPods Pro weighs 5.4 grams.
The only significant change you’ll see in terms of design is with the charging case. The AirPods Pro 2 case has a lanyard loop on the case’s side, allowing you to attach it to anything and carry it around. Also, a speaker grill on the bottom of the case would help you locate it by playing a sound through the Find My app. The new charging case has also shrunk in terms of thickness.
There’s no design change with the stems of the AirPods Pro 2, but they’ve picked up new touch controls. Apart from the existing controls on the AirPods Pro, you can now control your volume by swiping on the AirPods Pro 2 stems. Also, the dual-optical sensor got replaced with a new skin-detect sensor in the AirPods Pro 2 stems that you can also see on the third-generation AirPods but not on the first-generation AirPods Pro.
Another change comes out with the silicone ear tips. You get an extra pair of XS silicone ear tips to fit better.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Key features
| Specifications | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | H2 | H1 |
| IPX rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| U1 Chip in charging case | Yes | No |
| Size and weight (buds) | 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches, 0.19 ounces, 5.3 grams | 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches, 0.19 ounces, 5.4 grams |
| Size and weight (charging case) | 1.78 x 0.85 x 2.39 inches, 1.79 ounces, 51 grams | 1.8 x 0.9 x 2.4 inches, 1.6 ounces, 45 grams |
| Battery life | 6 hours, 30 hours with charging case | 4.5 hours, 24 hours with charging case |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
As for the features, the new AirPods Pro 2 comes with the new H2 chipset. It improves the audio quality compared to the previous generation. The AirPods Pro 2 also supports the Personalized Spatial Audio feature that arrived with iOS 16. It maps your ears and enables the best head-tracking possible for you.
The first-generation AirPods Pro has Active Noise Cancellation, its biggest USP. The newer AirPods Pro 2 can cancel twice the noise as the last AirPods Pro. The latest AirPods Pro 2 uses Bluetooth 5.3 technology compared to Bluetooth 5.0 for all previous AirPods.
There’s also enhanced precision for Find My since there’s a U1 chip inside the case. On top of that, you have Adaptive Transparency on the new AirPods Pro 2, which switches between the transparency mode and noise cancellation depending on your situation. In addition, you get features like Adaptive EQ, automatic switching, Live Listen, and more that are also available on the AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Audio quality
The audio quality is heightened on the new AirPods Pro 2nd Generation, thanks to the new H2 chip, better Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive Transparency, and Bluetooth 5.3.
While I’ve explained the latter features above, the H2 chip comes with a low-distortion driver and a new custom amplifier, enabling deeper bass and better highs. So I can say the sound quality on the AirPods Pro 2 is slightly better than its predecessor.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Battery life
According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 2 will last 6 hours on a single charge and 30 hours of listening time with the MagSafe charging case. It’s a 1.5-hour increase on the AirPods and a 6-hour increase with the charging case over the previous generation.
You can charge the second-generation AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe accessories. If you opt for wired charging, it still has the Lightning port instead of USB Type-C, contrary to the expectations of many.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro: Pricing
The new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is available at $250. Thankfully, the pricing remains the same as the debut price of the previous generation AirPods Pro.
However, the AirPods Pro has been discontinued on the Apple website but is still available from third-party sellers for around $200 (or less in some sales).
Which AirPods Pro should you get?
The $50 price difference over the first-generation AirPods Pro is justifiable for the new AirPods Pro. You get the latest H2 chip, better touch controls, audio, improved Spatial Audio, and more.
I can make any comments on the audio or call quality without getting my hands on it. However, I expect not to get any disappointing results. Watch out for this space, as I will be updating about the same soon.
In conclusion, if you’re planning to get the new AirPods Pro and have the budget to spend, go for it and have fun with the new features. However, if you plan to save that extra $50, you can get the previous generation AirPods Pro for $200 or less.
Read more:
- How to connect AirPods to iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and more
- AirPods Pro keeps disconnecting? How to fix it
- How to change AirPods settings on iPhone or iPad
- How to Enable or Disable Charging Case Sounds on AirPods Pro 2
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