Hands-On With Apple's New Second-Generation AirPods

[Shanghaichica]

I try to stay open minded with new product
Releases, but I agree with you, the second GEN AirPods just are not enough in terms of being an ‘upgrade’ for a transition for me from my first GEN AirPods. The only way I would consider upgrading to the second GEN AirPods, is when the battery life on my first GEN AirPods is completely depleted or can’t sufficiently hold a charge. I think the AirPods are a great product, but I suspect bigger things are coming for the AirPods in 2020 with more dynamic changes. To me, The 2019 AirPods is more of an ‘S’ model to me.

I must say that I am starting to love the always on hey Siri feature. Walking around, being able dictate commands without having to double-tap my AirPods or take out my phone is starting to seem pretty handy...

I think I’m going to love the always on feature. Mine arrived this morning and I’ve used it a lot already.

Decided to upgrade to the series 4 Apple Watch now that ECG feature is available in my country. Just heading to the Appel store now but I want to know if u can use my AirPods to get TV shows to play on my Apple TV. Going to test it out when I get home.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I'm curious as to how someone working at Apple would know.

Do they have different model numbers? Another way to find out is via the serial number, that should tell an Apple employee which is which.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I must be wired differently cause I still can't talk to an electronic gadget/object. I have yet to say "hey Siri or OK Google". But i'm glad you're happy and digging your earbuds.

I’m a bit obsessed with it now lol

I have my two HomePods, 2 echos and 2 google home minis and of course hey Siri on my Apple Watch. I talk to them all everyday. It’s just so convenient.

 

[Abazigal]

Decided to upgrade to the series 4 Apple Watch now that ECG feature is available in my country. Just heading to the Appel store now but I want to know if u can use my AirPods to get TV shows to play on my Apple TV. Going to test it out when I get home.

Well, I am still using my Series 2, and determined to hold out until the next refresh later this year. It's a little slow, but still does what I need it to do well enough (Apple Pay, notifications, Siri watch face, activity tracking, Siri on the wrist for quick actions). Made a little easier by the fact that ECG still isn't available in my country...

I must be wired differently cause I still can't talk to an electronic gadget/object. I have yet to say "hey Siri or OK Google". But i'm glad you're happy and digging your earbuds.

The first few times I tried it, I admit to being quite self-conscious as well. Now, it feels like second nature, and my friends and colleagues and used to me using Siri openly in their presence (it never gets old imitating a phone call or dictating a message in front of them).

Same with using the AirPods initially. Do it enough times, and the awkward stage just passes.

 

[deeddawg]

Who the hell buys in-ear earphones as an investment gadget?!

Those who are financially illiterate.
[doublepost=1553778850][/doublepost]

Does anyone know if there is any way to check if used AirPods are version 1 or 2 without checking for Hey Siri? Just wondering for future reference.

I'm curious as to how someone working at Apple would know.

Seems that pairing them to a phone and looking at the Airpods part of the About page would give a quick indication. As I don't own v2 airpods I can't say what the model # is but would expect it'd be different, and of course the serial number would serve to identify the version.

There's no real way to visually tell the two versions apart, but if you connect them to your iPhone, you can see which version you have by opening up the Settings app, choosing General, and scrolling down to the AirPods section.

 

[JTBing]

From an Electrical Engineer who is also an Econometrician.

Who works for Apple? Because otherwise, he still had no way of knowing that.

 

[alexandr]

Shaved an actual second, once per year. But hey, we can fill the marketing slide with something /s

i guess we don't value time enough.

 

[JeremiahEllen]

And anyone who thinks that these things have good sound quality need to put an actual quality headphone in their ears.
All of this “they sound so much better” and “are faster” is nothing more than people trying to justify spending another $200 on a piece of crap product.

Whenever I see those decals of Calvin pissing on a Chevy or a Ford logo or whatever I'm like "your personality is really centered around hating a certain brand? Really?"

 

[PickUrPoison]

i guess we don't value time enough.

Or maybe don’t realize Apple improved both the pairing process and the time it takes to switch between devices. They are completely different, but the video only talked about the faster pairing.

Reducing the length of an annoying/inconvenient lag when switching devices is a good thing. Hardly earth shattering or worth upgrading for that feature alone, but it’s a welcome improvement. There are a number of improvements to AirPods 1, this is just one of them. And there was no price increase, which is nice.

 

[alexandr]

Or maybe don’t realize Apple improved both the pairing process and the time it takes to switch between devices. They are completely different, but the video only talked about the faster pairing.

clearly. perhaps the video should've focused on an improvement which we'll be benefiting from every day(time it takes to switch) rather than what it highlighted. just saying.

 

[PickUrPoison]

clearly. perhaps the video should've focused on an improvement which we'll be benefiting from every day(time it takes to switch) rather than what it highlighted. just saying.

Agreed, it would have been nice to mention the faster switching and perhaps even demonstrate the improvement.

 

[alexandr]

Agreed, it would have been nice to mention the faster switching and perhaps even demonstrate the improvement.

right, i'd like to see that, as opposed to the pairing, which i cannot even remember doing.

 

[dj8154]

I have just accidentally discovered that on my new second generation AirPods left and right earbuds, serial numbers are engraved together with model number and its so tiny that I had to use magnifier on my iPhone to read the letters and numbers.

It turned out that each has different serial number so now there are total three different serial numbers engraved including the one on the charging case.

First generation only had one on the charging case so without even pairing with the phone you know it's the new one or not so guys, make sure to check if there are little things written or not when you ever get to buy an opened boxed one from a stranger.

SORRY, SCAMMERS OUT THERE!!

So now be aware of buying a used 2nd AirPods, people might swap out a 2nd and sell a 1st as a 2nd and none of us can tell the differences.

Does anyone know if there is any way to check if used AirPods are version 1 or 2 without checking for Hey Siri? Just wondering for future reference.

I'm curious as to how someone working at Apple would know.

Do they have different model numbers? Another way to find out is via the serial number, that should tell an Apple employee which is which.

Those who are financially illiterate.
[doublepost=1553778850][/doublepost]


Seems that pairing them to a phone and looking at the Airpods part of the About page would give a quick indication. As I don't own v2 airpods I can't say what the model # is but would expect it'd be different, and of course the serial number would serve to identify the version.

​

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I returned my V2 with wireless charging case for just the normal case. The guy just checked there were a pair of airpods in there. There must be a way they can tell.

 

[skys15]

My testing shows the range isn’t any better, sadly. WTF Tim Cook! Higher priced BS for very minor upgrades. Low blow!
[doublepost=1553837125][/doublepost]I was expecting quite the range upgrade...not so in my extensive testing. It’s exactly the same as original AirPods. Yet they’re more expensive for such minimal improvement? What the hell is going on over there at Apple?

 

[PickUrPoison]

My testing shows the range isn’t any better, sadly. WTF Tim Cook! Higher priced BS for very minor upgrades. Low blow!
[doublepost=1553837125][/doublepost]I was expecting quite the range upgrade...not so in my extensive testing. It’s exactly the same as original AirPods. Yet they’re more expensive for such minimal improvement? What the hell is going on over there at Apple?

Apple mentioned a number of upgraded features, but I didn’t see anything at all about better range. Also, there was no price increase, they are still $159. Better features at the same price is not a bad deal.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Apple mentioned a number of upgraded features, but I didn’t see anything at all about better range. Also, there was no price increase, they are still $159. Better features at the same price is not a bad deal.

I think people expected it to have better range because they are Bluetooth 5.0.

If you opt for the wireless charging case then they cost $199. Some expected the wireless charging case to be the standard edition and cost €159 as the originals did.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

My testing shows the range isn’t any better, sadly. WTF Tim Cook! Higher priced BS for very minor upgrades. Low blow!
[doublepost=1553837125][/doublepost]I was expecting quite the range upgrade...not so in my extensive testing. It’s exactly the same as original AirPods. Yet they’re more expensive for such minimal improvement? What the hell is going on over there at Apple?

Yeah, I was disappointed to see the EverythingApplePro review where the range was the same, although it was still pretty impressive outdoors with direct line of sight.

 

[iamasmith]

Decided to retire my BeatsX into running sessions only as I always found the sound a little muddle.

These things are awseome, really clear and very easy to get used to!.

 

[DNichter]

I’m returning mine. Just not enough of an improvement over the original AirPods for me. Missed opportunity for Apple to come out with something actually better. Save your money if you have the first gen.

 

[dmunz]

Those who are financially illiterate.
[doublepost=1553778850][/doublepost]


Seems that pairing them to a phone and looking at the Airpods part of the About page would give a quick indication. As I don't own v2 airpods I can't say what the model # is but would expect it'd be different, and of course the serial number would serve to identify the version.

​

Well that doesn't work (I hope.) Mine still report at Hardware Version 1.0.0.

FWIW
DLM

 

[skys15]

Apple mentioned a number of upgraded features, but I didn’t see anything at all about better range. Also, there was no price increase, they are still $159. Better features at the same price is not a bad deal.

I mean with the new case. Shouldn’t even have made that an upsale, just upgrade the whole package and move on! They’re moving away from their simplistic nature that made who they were in the first place. And as far as range...it’s bluetooth 5 and range is supposed to be 150 feet, these new AirPods are nowhere near that kind of range.

 

[deeddawg]

Well that doesn't work (I hope.) Mine still report at Hardware Version 1.0.0.

FWIW
DLM

What's the model number and firmware revision displayed? I have A1523 and 6.3.2 for my gen1 Airpods.

Also be interesting to see the results of plugging the displayed serial number into https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

Mine show up as "Airpods" and no generation designation.

 

[JustCap]

It is hard to notice because the original source is compressed file anyway, unless you are streaming lossless. From my experience first generation AirPods were having hard time transmitting lossless music file without having a frequent sound disconnection or a significant quality drop on sound especially when the iPhone is paired with Apple Watch at the same time, which also uses bluetooth. I have not yet had a time to play lossless long enough to share my experience on 2nd generation, hope it can do the job well this time.

Strange. I only listen to lossless and have not encountered any issues. In my case it is ALAC and played in Music (Apple).

Are you using some other app?
[doublepost=1553883847][/doublepost]

You wanted us to let you know if we only picked up the wireless charging case.
I did .
I habe no Airpods though .
But everyone in the office thinks so
[doublepost=1553691447][/doublepost]
Sorry I cannot hear you over here with my cable

ROFL
[doublepost=1553884105][/doublepost]

I just received my gen 2 AirPods. There is a very noticeable difference in sound. They are much more bass (or low mid) heavy. I did multiple direct A/B comparisons between Jazz (Bryan Ferry’s rendition of The Way You Look Tonight) and metal (Megadeth’s Holy Wars). On Megadeth the low mids are overwhelming. The gen1 sound thinner, and while not audiophile quality, it’s more musical with a more forward presentation.

Maybe the Gen2 will sound better in a noisy environment. I kind of expect the opposite though. It will certainly depend on the genre.

My $.02

On reflection, most people prefer bass over any other quality so they will probably be well received.

I am a sound engineer and there is a good sound and a bad sound. We don't compared sound quality from product using different technology. Now you are comparing a wireless bluetooth ear-phone to an wired headphone. That is not a subjective comparison. That is an ignorance.

Considering the size of the device and also the fact that it is not in-ear style, AirPods have great sound. Second generation sounds better than first one not because the drivers got better but because it uses the faster bluetooth technology. Therefore AirPods can wirelessly deliver wider frequencies now and that is why people with good ear, can definitely feel that deeper and wider range of the sound being transmitted especially in low frequencies.

It is also actually much faster than the first generation if you compare side by side and based on your nonsense comparison and the tone of your words towards people who already using them, I can easily assume that you have never owned an AirPods before.

People don't need to justify why they spent $200 on a product that has the highest customer satisfaction rate of all of Apple products. They buy 'a piece of crap product' because it sounds great and it is really convenient to use it in many ways.

I am sorry to say but you just made yourself look not only unknowledgeable about the sound at all and like one of those bunch haters who leaves such a comment like this because you cannot afford to buy one.

I just picked up second generation AirPods yesterday and I was impressed by minor changes which did not turn out to be minor and I shared with my colleagues at my recording studio and we all appreciated on better sound.

Thank you for letting us know that I just picked up 'a piece of crap' and me and my colleagues at work actually spent time discussing about it during our work time, and I hope you just keep using an actual quality headphone that you might or might not have.

I’m no sound engineer but I too find the sound quality to be better on the second gen. And it is not earwax or battery of the old one. I literally just bought original AirPods a few weeks ago bc I lost my headphones. Got the 2nd gen and there is a noticeable difference in the sound quality. More detail/fuller/better lows & bass.

Thank you.

 

[The Game 161]

I must say that I am starting to love the always on hey Siri feature. Walking around, being able dictate commands without having to double-tap my AirPods or take out my phone is starting to seem pretty handy...

does it activate your phone at all?