AirPods Pro 2 Tidbits: Heavier Charging Case, Lanyards Sold Separately, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple this week introduced second-generation AirPods Pro with improved audio quality, longer battery life, up to 2x as much noise cancellation as the original AirPods Pro, a revamped charging case with Find My support and water resistance, a new extra small ear tip option, the ability to swipe up and down on the stem to adjust volume, and more.

In addition to these major new features, there are some smaller tidbits about the new AirPods Pro that we have gathered below.

The new AirPods Pro will be available to order this Friday, September 9, with pricing set at $249 in the United States, which is the same price as the original. The second-generation AirPods Pro will be available on September 23.

Heavier Charging Case

The new charging case weighs 50.8 grams without the AirPods Pro inside, making the new case around 11% heavier than the original, which weighs 45.6 grams. On the other hand, the weight of the left and right AirPods Pro earbuds is virtually unchanged.

Improved In-Ear Detection

AirPods Pro now feature a skin-detect sensor that can more accurately detect if the AirPods are placed in someone's ears compared to the dual optical sensors in the original AirPods Pro. Apple says the improved sensor more accurately turns on or off audio playback on the new AirPods Pro, contributing to longer battery life.

The skin-detect sensor was first added to the third-generation standard AirPods last year.

Lanyards Sold Separately

The new AirPods Pro charging case features a built-in lanyard loop on the right side of the case for attaching a lanyard, but Apple says the lanyards are sold separately. Apple's online store currently has one lanyard available from Incase for $12.95.

Apple Watch Charger Support

In addition to charging via MagSafe and Lightning, the new AirPods Pro case can now be charged with an Apple Watch's magnetic charging puck.

Memoji Personalization

Apple announced that customers can personalize the second-generation AirPods Pro case with their own Memoji free of charge via the Apple Store app.

Bluetooth 5.3

Like the iPhone 14, the new AirPods Pro support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple's tech specs. Bluetooth 5.3 could pave the way for the AirPods Pro to support LE Audio, which would have several benefits for the wireless headphones, but Apple has not made any mention of the device supporting LE Audio at this time.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 2 Tidbits: Heavier Charging Case, Lanyards Sold Separately, and More

 

[SW3029]

I am in no way surprised the lanyard is sold separately

 

[meltman]

"lanyards sold separately" is the most Apple thing I've read all day.

 

[mansplains]

A travesty, the iPod included its loop /s

 

[mansplains]

The reason Apple is selling them separately is for the upcoming Hermès lanyard

 

[Pirate!]

I’m pretty excited about the watch charger capability. Something I have lying around my desk that’s not used often.

That lanyard seems very handy, but why didn’t they just include it?!

 

[bpeeps]

Having apple watch charger support is pretty cool. Apple was pretty forward thinking there.

 

[elev8d]

Visually identical to the last gen... so I guess we can expect gen 3 to also not offer anything significantly new from a design perspective. I was hoping for shorter stems and color options.

 

[Ant2369]

I was extremely excited for this announcement. Now I’m torn on whether the upgrades are worth the cost of a new pair. I was really hoping for some thing fitness related or some thing really cool added to them to complement all the new features of Apple Watch and iPhone 14.

I do like that they have the U1 chip which will essentially free up an AirTag that I use for mine now

 

[MayaUser]

skin detect sensor ...so if i keep the airpod in my hand it recognised my skin and start playing ?!

 

[Pirate!]

skin detect sensor ...so if i keep the airpod in my hand it recognised my skin and start playing ?!

I think it’s more if you place them in your pocket it shouldn’t start playing any more (have this with my gen 2 AirPods).

 

[Hermes Monster]

I know they never will because white EarPods is their thing, but a different colour would be most welcome

 

[oneMadRssn]

skin detect sensor ...so if i keep the airpod in my hand it recognised my skin and start playing ?!

The same way the proximity sensor sometimes registers a false positive when holding them in your hand. But right now, they'll sometimes start playing when I shove them in my pocket, and hopefully the skin sensor will fix those false positives.

I'll listen to music while walking my dog, and if I run into someone I know I'll quickly take out an AirPod or both and put them in my pocket. Not into the charging case - can't do it one-handed while holding the leash, and it's just for a minute anyway. Just into my pocket. And often they'll start playing because the proximity sensor thinks it's in my ears. Hopefully the skin sensors fixes that.

 

[Phreddyl]

come on Apple... Include the lanyard.

 

[CarpalMac]

come on Apple... Include the lanyard.

Apple say:

"In order to meet our 2030 carbon neutral target, we must, regrettably, charge you for it.

Sorry (not sorry) about that.... "

 

[coffeephile]

Mine case opens up with every small bump, so i would never use this lanyard, its almost guaranteed way to loose earpieces. Last week i bumped case into the wall, it opened up and closed itself after both earpieces flew out. With this lanyard attached to lets say backpack i wouldnt even be aware that i lost them. Really not sure what is the use case here.

 

[tonie walker]

i don’t think i will use the lanyard it’s an invitation to bye bye on your AirPods having treating it as keychain and of course i need case for the new case 😉

 

[Stromos]

So if I have a UAG Case for my current Airpods Pro I can just drop the new shell into it?

 

[Gator5000e]

I am guessing that personalizing the case makes it non-returnable.

 

[MayaUser]

I think it’s more if you place them in your pocket it shouldn’t start playing any more (have this with my gen 2 AirPods).

skin detection only gen 3 airpods have
Does anyone with gen 3 here?

 

[tonie walker]

Mine case opens up with every small bump, so i would never use this lanyard, its almost guaranteed way to loose earpieces. Last week i bumped case into the wall, it opened up and closed itself after both earpieces flew out. With this lanyard attached to lets say backpack i wouldnt even be aware that i lost them. Really not sure what is the use case here.

you are not alone, who would flaunt their Airpods as keychain or handcarry, teenagers? maybe we are not the target customer

 

[FormerAppleExec]

Pretty underwhelming update after 2 years.

Not sure why Apple doesn't implement something like Krisp into the Airpods. If you are in a noisy place, the Airpods amplify your background for the person on the other end, so easy to cut it out.

Apple this week introduced second-generation AirPods Pro with improved audio quality, longer battery life, up to 2x as much noise cancellation as the original AirPods Pro, a revamped charging case with Find My support and water resistance, a new extra small ear tip option, the ability to swipe up and down on the stem to adjust volume, and more.

In addition to these major new features, there are some smaller tidbits about the new AirPods Pro that we have gathered below.

The new AirPods Pro will be available to order this Friday, September 9, with pricing set at $249 in the United States, which is the same price as the original. The second-generation AirPods Pro will be available on September 23.

Heavier Charging Case

The new charging case weighs 50.8 grams without the AirPods Pro inside, making the new case around 11% heavier than the original, which weighs 45.6 grams. On the other hand, the weight of the left and right AirPods Pro earbuds is virtually unchanged.

Improved In-Ear Detection

AirPods Pro now feature a skin-detect sensor that can more accurately detect if the AirPods are placed in someone's ears compared to the dual optical sensors in the original AirPods Pro. Apple says the improved sensor more accurately turns on or off audio playback on the new AirPods Pro, contributing to longer battery life.

The skin-detect sensor was first added to the third-generation standard AirPods last year.

Lanyards Sold Separately

The new AirPods Pro charging case features a built-in lanyard loop on the right side of the case for attaching a lanyard, but Apple says the lanyards are sold separately. Apple's online store currently has one lanyard available from Incase for $12.95.

Apple Watch Charger Support

In addition to charging via MagSafe and Lightning, the new AirPods Pro case can now be charged with an Apple Watch's magnetic charging puck.

Memoji Personalization

Apple announced that customers can personalize the second-generation AirPods Pro case with their own Memoji free of charge via the Apple Store app.

Bluetooth 5.3

Like the iPhone 14, the new AirPods Pro support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple's tech specs. Bluetooth 5.3 could pave the way for the AirPods Pro to support LE Audio, which would have several benefits for the wireless headphones, but Apple has not made any mention of the device supporting LE Audio at this time.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 2 Tidbits: Heavier Charging Case, Lanyards Sold Separately, and More

 

[alexfoxy]

If only the mic quality wasn’t garbage

 

[ELman]

I’m pretty excited about the watch charger capability. Something I have lying around my desk that’s not used often.

That lanyard seems very handy, but why didn’t they just include it?!

I ask the same about the power adapter when purchasing a $1000+ phone.

 

[tkermit]

Having apple watch charger support is pretty cool. Apple was pretty forward thinking there.

You’ll finally be able to charge both an iPhone and AirPods at the same time using the MagSafe Duo charger.