Video Review: AirPods Pro 2 After Six Months

[chipsandsalsa]

This had me cracking up.

Question - I switched from my APP1 and to Beats Fit Pro because my right APP1 bud would always come loose and fall out of my ear after just a few minutes of usage. No tip size made a difference. I'd like to get back into the APP, maybe after they add USB-C, and I'm wondering if anyone has had poor APP1 fit issues but better success with APP2...?

My APP1 fit pretty okay. Right one would always come loose on a run or if i talked alot. These APP2 seem MUCH better at that, but if im talking a lot they do seem to come out. Theyre much better fit however. They almost feel slightly smaller, if only my a small amount, so they fit more snug.

 

[chucker23n1]

I wish sites like MR would buy products like these brand new when they are released - and DO NOT open them. Leave them sealed until the next hardware version comes out.

Then open them - and test the NC on them against a pair of the same model that hs been used for 1 or 2 years and received the regular firmware updates...

I am 100% that over time - Apple lessens the effectiveness of NC via over the air firmware so that when the newer models are released they sound 'that much better' than the model they are replacing.

So you want sites to spend hundreds of extra dollars to disprove a conspiracy theory when the much simpler answer is: earbuds fill up with earwax and other gunk over time, making the mics and speakers less effective, which also makes NC worse.

 

[iemcj]

Don’t you want to be able to hear things while driving?

You can hear critical stuff just fine. If a car honks you'll still hear it. Bose (who pioneered sound canceling long before apple) originally developed it to cancel out the droning of airplane noise. So in a vehicle it makes the droning of car tires/wind noise etc go away. But if there's something like a police siren you're still going to hear it.

Another thing that makes noise canceling so important is it allows you to listen to music/podcasts at a lower volume. You don't need to have it cranked up to 70%, it saves your ears long term.

I'd argue I'm far more aware of my surroundings in my 2002 pickup truck with these headphones than I was last month when I used a 2013 Lexus as a rental car. You couldn't hear JACK squat of anything outside the vehicle and there could be a siren across the street and you wouldn't know. D:

 

[segfaultdotorg]

So confusing... Are these AirPods 2 Pro or AirPods Pro 2? And isn't there an AirPods 3 now? So, AirPods 2, AirPods 2 Pro, AirPods 2 Pro, AirPods 3, AirPods 3 Pro, and AirPods Pro 3? Was there ever an AirPods 1?

 

[wowee]

Apple released a second-generation version of the AirPods Pro back in September 2022, and the updated earbuds have now been available for six months. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the AirPods Pro 2 regularly in order to update readers and viewers with a longterm review.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

As a refresher, the AirPods Pro 2 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation compared to the original version, along with Adaptive Transparency to cut down on sudden, loud sounds like sirens and construction work without blocking out all noise.

Sound quality has been improved with a new audio driver, there's an H2 chip, and Apple swapped over to Bluetooth 5.3. Touch controls are available for adjusting volume, battery life is up, the Apple Watch Charger can be used to charge the earbuds, and a speaker makes it easier to find AirPods lost nearby. Ultimately, there are a lot of improvements, but are the AirPods Pro 2 worth the upgrade over the original AirPods Pro?

Dan answers that question and more in his video review that covers durability, Adaptive Transparency, battery life over time, ANC, and other quality of life improvements. Make sure to watch the video, and let us know what you think of the AirPods Pro 2 in the comments below.

Article Link: Video Review: AirPods Pro 2 After Six Months

Very disappointed with the microphone call quality - practically useless if any background noise present - also considerably worse than version 1 in this regard. Sound quality and noise cancellation are a lot better than V1 - but why do they need to make the call quality WORSE? My biggest use of the AirPods v1 was to be able to do hands free calling. Sadly v2 is not usable for this

 

[minik]

It's been six months already? I bought three not because I lost any of them 😅

 

[svish]

Good video. 2nd generation AirPods Pro are good!

 

[locoboi187]

Weak microphone plagues this generation

 

[carlsson]

Had them for nearly 3 months (thanks to the generous costco return window) and returned them a few weeks ago. The Bose true wireless 2 are simply better for me.

Those looks interesting!
Are you meaning the QuietComfort Earbuds II? (I can't find any "Bose True Wireless 2")
Do you have an URL?

Thanks.

 

[karranz]

incremental upgrade vs AirPods Pro, and not even that. Noise cancellation was perfect in AirPods Pro until apple decided to reduce it. Battery life is about the same, I don't notice any difference.

 

[Fat_Guy]

Are these that much better than AirPod 3s.

No. They just have noise cancellation and rubber tips. I can’t wear them as they will pop out. I’m one of those where the OG Airpods fit like a dream and never fell out. The Gen 3 are not as secure but I actually cannot feel them in my ear after awhile which is a first for me. I could wear these all day and never be bothered to take them off - many can’t say that about the Pros…


I now have two sets of Gen 3s and my original Airpods.

 

[wanha]

I am truly baffled by all the "it needs to have USB-C" comments.

Don't you already have like 74 lightning cables around the house, car, and office? I mean, what do you charge your iPhone with?

Having USB-C changes NOTHING about the product, it's just a different cable.

What am I missing?

 

[O.N.Y.X]

I am truly baffled by all the "it needs to have USB-C" comments.

Don't you already have like 74 lightning cables around the house, car, and office? I mean, what do you charge your iPhone with?

Having USB-C changes NOTHING about the product, it's just a different cable.

What am I missing?

Now that it’s been mentioned. Compared to USB-C cables Lightning cables not only are way more expensive, they are a rare thing to come by. In most shops there is a huge variety of USB-C cables to choose from in lengths/brands whereas Lightning I usually get standard Apple cables (if at all) at premium prices.

 

[Zmmyt]

But... you can. Go to Airpods settings > Accessibility, then switch off "volume swipe"

Didn’t know that, thanks!

 

[GeoStructural]

Are these that much better than AirPod 3s.

Not in the slightest. AirPods 3 sound better, have longer battery life, and are more comfortable to wear.

The only benefit of AirPods Pro over the 3 is the Active Noise Canceling and FindMy integration, and of those it is the last one that mattered more to me, but I am willing to trade it off.

 

[Alexander_im]

I've been happily using my APP1s for some time although not from original launch. I missed out on the mythical OG ANC but have definitely noticed its gone down in performance over the years. I'm tempted to buy these any time they go on sale for $199 but then keep holding out for revised copy with usb-c. Is that warranted?

Bought 1st Gen on launch day. The ANC was not mythical at all.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Interested to read these positive mentions of BOSE.

I thought BOSE was an acronym:

Buy
Other
Sound
Equipment.

 

[Evagoras2001]

My APP2 have a better range than my APP1. Yours may be defective.

Decrease in range as well. I can only get 4-5 meters whereas 1st gen were way better.

 

[Jutah]

great device for listening music and noise cancelling. Very poor mic quality, same problem that affected the Gen1.
When you speak in a silent romm everything is fine, in any other circumstance the audio quality is so bad that you have to switch to the phone mode.

That's ridicoulus for a 290$ device!

 

[kerr]

disappointing that Apple have not released new colors, even one new colour every 2-3 years. Obvious choices are black and product(red). Would love to replace my iPhone XS and AirPods Pro 1st Gen later this year with a red iPhone 15 and red AirPods Pro 2nd Gen.

 

[Jutah]

great device for listening music and noise cancelling. Very poor mic quality, same problem that affected the Gen1.
When you speak in a silent romm everything is fine, in any other circumstance the audio quality is so bad that you have to switch to the phone mode.

That's ridicoulus for a 290$ device!

No one ever mentions microphone quality on these devices. They're awful if you're outside - everything gets amplified for the person on the other end

THAT

 

[El Dubya]

This had me cracking up.

Question - I switched from my APP1 and to Beats Fit Pro because my right APP1 bud would always come loose and fall out of my ear after just a few minutes of usage. No tip size made a difference. I'd like to get back into the APP, maybe after they add USB-C, and I'm wondering if anyone has had poor APP1 fit issues but better success with APP2...?

It's the silicon tips they just don't grip into the ear canal. Apple should add the wings like the Beats Fit Pro. Also Beats Fit Pro tips are silicon yet not so slippery it seems to me. I grew tired of the APP1 fit as even sitting still they would just work their way out of my ears, losing seal and dropping out.
I have tried twisting them to fit , all the tips and cleaning before using, its a combination of weight and slippery tips they seem unbalanced toward the outside of the lump at the stalk.
Worst earphones i own.
Beats Fit Pro may not have such great case or Noise cancellation but the fit and weight /shape/ balancing is way better.

 

[MacGizmo]

disappointing that Apple have not release new colors...

Agreed. With all the fiddling Apple does with colors on the iPhone, iPad, and laptop line, you would think they would have matching cases (or at least a random set of ever-changing colors). I would love a ProductRed AirPods Pro, or even black!

 

[bookcase]

No. They just have noise cancellation and rubber tips. I can’t wear them as they will pop out. I’m one of those where the OG Airpods fit like a dream and never fell out. The Gen 3 are not as secure but I actually cannot feel them in my ear after awhile which is a first for me. I could wear these all day and never be bothered to take them off - many can’t say that about the Pros…

I loved my AirPod Pro 1, but the second time one fell out of my ears while walking, I bought the AP3 and love them. I've considered trying the Pro 2, but before dropping the money, I just ordered the XS tip for $8 from Apple and will try them on my original Pros to see if they offer a better fit.

 

[TwoBytes]

The APP2 are such an integral part of my life that it would be a major factor in deciding to stay in the mac ecosystem. The switching, speed, simplicity and integration into everything else apple I have is amazing.
Big upgrade coming from the APP1 - much better soundstage. It's not perfect, the mic sound be better, it could have sound profiles etc but it's a really solid product overall.