AirPods Pro Launching on October 30 for $249

[cardfan]

As the old story goes there’s a new toy. You gotta have it. It’s msrp now. You could wait a bit as it’ll inevitably go on sale (and you’ll still think it costs too much). But no you gotta have it. This week preferably.

Oh and AppleCare. Only 29. Sure why not. You might step on them or something. Could happen.

Whew. You did it congrats. Now it’s time to try to feel better. Let’s go justify our purchase. That noise canceling is expensive. Look at competitors. In fact you probably saved money. And it’s your money. Why shouldn’t you spend it like you want.

Should you excitedly tell your wife about it? What? That’s nuts. You want a beating or something? In fact you hope that she won’t realize they’re not your old airpods. (Better be home on 31st to get package). Let’s go to macrumors instead.

 

[jmpage2]

This talking point is moot if you consider and purchase Apple care @29+ this covers one free battery replacement And I believe it’s good for two years? Someone can correct me. If you’re spending 249$, 29 more dollars is not bad for something that can add 2 more years of use

I don’t know how AirPods fare but historically Apple products have better than average lithium batteries.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Exactly! It seems to be that folks are jealous about the haves and have-nots on the internet. As if 98% of us on the forum (to include myself) understand how we can set up a pair of AirPods on one device and it appears on the rest of the devices for use with just a tap? Or how Sony and Apple have shrunk what used to only be available in $350+ Bose over the ear headphones into the form factors that are out now?

I can’t imagine anyone who complains about the price of the AirPods Pro was going to shell out the cash for a decent pair of ANC headphones made by any company—let alone a tiny version.

I think a lot of it comes from people who are too young to remember the world before everything was available at their fingertips. I mean look at these things! Noise cancelling speakers, microphones, batteries, antennas, microprocessors etc. etc. etc. All in a tiny bud that fits in your ear. And we get "MEH TOO EXPENSIVE!!!!11234" 🤣

 

[Frabjous7]

Folks need to read about the automatic self-test these pods do, to verify which size tip is exactly right for the user. And they are silicone, not plastic...
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Pro. Laughable. Higher tech shouldn’t cost more money. Pro should not mean “more advanced technology.” I shouldn’t have to pay more for a house with more bathrooms or heated floors.

Lovely sarcasm, and see how many missed it!

 

[clerkpalmer]

Jabra Elite Active 65t.

This is not correct. Jabra 65t does not have ANC. After being disappointed in the sonys I am hoping apple can do this right. Sony sound quality was mediocre and lack of sweat proofing is unacceptable.

 

[ErikGrim]

Just got my shipping notification and they will indeed be delivered tomorrow instead of the 31st. Hooray!

 

[FelixDerKater]

It really grinds my gear when they quote usage time including recharges in the case.

 

[44267547]

I don’t know how AirPods fare but historically Apple products have better than average lithium batteries.

The AirPods have proven exceptionally well with the battery longevity. What you’re really paying for aside from the technology, is the ‘quick charge’ feature where you can charge the AirPods for 15 minutes, which is equivalent to three hours of usage. At least that’s how it was with the first GEN AirPods.

On a side-note: Lithium ion technology has come along way, it’s matured to the point where you can still achieve a decent range of battery life through the assistance of components that don’t draw an extreme amount of battery.

 

[Ladybug]

PRO as in Priced Really Out there...love my AirPods but I will pass on these for now. I’m disappointed there isn’t a black option.

 

[bluecoast]

To those complaining that they are too expensive:

It’s the noise reduction functionality that makes them ‘pro’ ie expensive.

If you don’t live or work in a noisy city and you don’t commute on noisy public transport, you probably don’t need the pro model.

I do - and currently use some Sony NR ear buds & I would likely go crazy without them.

If you commute by car, live in the burbs and listen to music whilst out and about - get/stick with the current AirPods and save yourself the money.

The only place that you might need the AirPods is the gym, then again you can get work out headphones with noise isolation/reduction for cheaper.

 

[davidec]

Ordered and shipped, will have these bad boys tomorrow. Looking forward.

 

[bluecoast]

The battery life is horrible... I’ll pass

The noise reduction circuitry is doing way more than the regular AirPods, so it draws more power. All NR earbuds have worse battery life than their non NR equivalents.

 

[MBX]

Can someone please explain what is "PRO" about these?

The price.

 

[BomexM3]

I just bought the PowerBeats Pro, and I don't know if I should return them for these?

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

As the old story goes there’s a new toy. You gotta have it. It’s msrp now. You could wait a bit as it’ll inevitably go on sale (and you’ll still think it costs too much). But no you gotta have it. This week preferably.

Oh and AppleCare. Only 29. Sure why not. You might step on them or something. Could happen.

Whew. You did it congrats. Now it’s time to try to feel better. Let’s go justify our purchase. That noise canceling is expensive. Look at competitors. In fact you probably saved money. And it’s your money. Why shouldn’t you spend it like you want.

Should you excitedly tell your wife about it? What? That’s nuts. You want a beating or something? In fact you hope that she won’t realize they’re not your old airpods. (Better be home on 31st to get package). Let’s go to macrumors instead.

Spot on with the wife really hoping she doesn’t notice my frivolous spend on AirPod pros. But it’s always better to ask for forgiveness then permission.

 

[playspeed]

The price.

pro(2)
/prō, proʊ /
▸ noun
(plural pros)
An advantage of something or an argument in favor of a course of action:
the pros and cons of joint ownership.
▸ preposition & adverb in favor of:
[as preposition] they were pro the virtues of individualism.
– ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun): from Latin, literally ‘for, on behalf of’.
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Can someone please explain what is "PRO" about these?

 

[bluecoast]

You expected less? By now everyone knows Tim Cook's love of price stacking.

1. AirPods: $149
2. AirPods w/ Wireless Charging: $199
3. AirPods Pro: $249

Giving consumers better value is still a foreign concept to Apple executives.

Indeed. A roughly compatible product is the Sony WF-1000XM3 NR headphones which in the U.K. are £220.

They claim a little better battery life (6 hours NC music playback, over the AirPod Pro’s claimed 4.5).

However, they don’t have the same level as integration into iOS as the AirPods Pro.

And that’s always been Apple’s USP - you always pay a little (proportionally) more than equivalent products, as you’re paying for the design and software/hardware integration.

TDLR: this is a reasonable price.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I am definitely trying to get them on day one, but that said, I must say I remain highly annoyed with the media coverage of Air Pods (and Apple's marketing) for not even addressing the actual audio quality of these things. When the Air Pod's 2 update came earlier this year it was the same thing. NEW FEATURES. Yet almost no mention of the actual audio fidelity improvements (if there even are any?). With the Pro's, I realize they are touting this adaptive EQ, but that's software. I want to know about drivers. Sonic range. Frequency response. It's entirely bewildering to me that Apple has seemingly changed the narrative on a product that should first and foremost sell on it's actual audio quality. And it bugs me because they don't need to sell me on the convenience or other features. I own Shure SE 535's ($500+ in ear's) and I barely use them because the Air Pod's are that much more convenient. All I really want from Apple is an audio upgrade. I hope the Air Pod Pro's are it, but good god can someone actually make this a point of conversation? (looking at you Mac.rumors)

that’s the thing with Apple audio ever since they killed the iPod Hi-Fi. SQ fans need not apply

 

[bluecoast]

What a ugly design! I'll pass.

Funny, because when the original AirPods launched, loads of people laughed over the stalks and said they looked embarrassing - not too mention that they were way to expensive.

Then by early this year, it seemed that the AirPods were ubiquitous in London & I’m sure NYC, SF etc too.
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In my case, the original AirPods design fit my ear perfectly so I'm not sure whether or not it would be worth it to buy these. I never really liked the in-ear tip design because it always felt weird and I was always paranoid they were never sitting in my ear properly no matter how I adjusted them.

Anybody in the same boat? I'd love the active noise cancelling but I honestly feel like I'd end up not liking the tips.

I do need an upgrade since I have the 1st generation AirPods. Should I get these or AirPods 2nd generation?

If you need noise cancelling, yes. You’ll know if you need it or not.

If not, the 2nd gen AirPods are now pretty cheap because of the Pro models. Everyone wins.

Comparable products to the Pro are of roughly the same price but without a wireless charging case and deep iOS integration. The Pros are actually keenly priced.

 

[HOTBOBA]

Assuming the ANC and transparency modes work regardless of what OS your device is running on? Need it to work on android too.

 

[Silver78]

How about a water proof rating?? AirPods are known to fail with a lot of sweat. I don't dare run or indoor bike with mine since I'm a heavy sweater.

oops.. missed the footnote

AirPods Pro are sweat- and water- resistant for non-water sports and exercise and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529.

I did not know that! I am a heavy weight sweater from Scandinavia currently living in Saigon .. there is a lot sweat going on here and i even wear them while showering. I try not to put water on them but they get wet daily. Also swimming with mine but never dive with them.
i actually thought they were water proof

 

[smoking monkey]

So do they come with a traditional USB-a to lightning cable as well as the newer USB-c to lightning???

 

[bobob]

I am a heavy weight sweater from Scandinavia

If even articles of clothing are interested in the new Airpods Pro, I think Apple has a hit on their hands!

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The naming is odd, AirPod Plus would have been good enough AFAIK.

Note to self: Do not hire MacBird for marketing department.

 

[mattsaroni]

i bought mine and they have been shipped, will arrive in about 14 hours from now. Can't wait.

 

[iLLUMI]

Wow no color options beyond white.

Oh what?!!! Really? Darn!! I thought these were coming in 4x colors?
I don't get Apple.
I just want a nice pair of black or space gray ones.