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It has been over two years since Apple launched the AirPods Pro, and while the wireless earbuds haven't been updated since then, rumors suggest that second-generation AirPods Pro will finally be released next year.

airpods-pro-black-background.jpg

Key features of the current AirPods Pro include silicone ear tips, improved sound quality over standard AirPods, active noise cancellation, and a Conversation Boost feature that raises the volume of a person talking in front of you. AirPods Pro compete with the likes of Google's Pixel Buds, Samsung's Galaxy Buds, and Amazon's Echo Buds.

We've been hearing rumors about the second-generation AirPods Pro since shortly after the original ones launched, so keep reading to find out when the new AirPods Pro will likely be released and what new features we can expect.

AirPods Pro 2: Release Timeframe

While new AirPods Pro were initially rumored to launch within the first six months of 2022, this no longer appears to be the case.

In a research note earlier this month, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he now expects Apple to launch the second-generation AirPods Pro in the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December of the year.

Apple announced the original AirPods Pro with a press release on its website on October 30, 2019, which was also in the fourth quarter.

Should you buy AirPods Pro now or wait until the new ones are released? Catch up on rumored features below and decide for yourself.

AirPods Pro 2: Rumored Features

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu have previously reported that Apple has tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems that drop below the earbuds. If this ends up being the final design, the new AirPods Pro could look similar to Apple's Beats Studio Buds released in June 2021.

AirPods-Pro-Gen-2-Feature2.jpg

Gurman and Wu also claimed the new AirPods Pro will feature motion sensors for fitness tracking capabilities alongside the Apple Watch.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new AirPods Pro will have a "significantly upgraded" wireless chip compared to the H1 chip in the current AirPods Pro. The chip powers audio-related functions like active noise cancellation, and improvements to this technology could result in improved battery life for longer listening time per charge. Kuo also expects the new AirPods Pro to support lossless audio available through Apple Music.

The new AirPods Pro charging case will be able to emit a sound to help users find it when misplaced, according to Kuo. It is likely that the next AirPods Pro will also have a water-resistant charging case, like the third-generation AirPods charging case.

If you ultimately decide to purchase the AirPods Pro now instead of waiting, keep in mind that they are often on sale on Amazon for significantly less than Apple's regular $249 price, so be sure to monitor our Apple Deals roundup.

For more details, check out AirPods Pro 2: Everything We Know So Far.

Article Link: When to Expect New AirPods Pro to Launch in 2022
 
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Reactions: SurferPup
Airpod pros are the worst headphones I've ever owned simply because I cannot disable the touch functions. Change my mind.

update: After getting a new pair of airpod pro's, it turns out I've had a faulty pair. I take back not being able to disable touch, since they now aren't hyper sensitive and changing/pausing tracks with a graze of a finger...
 
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I like my Air Pod Pros. I would have sent them back otherwise. No need to change my mind.
 
Hoping for better battery life this time round. Buying earphones at over $200 a go only to find that after three years the battery has degraded to a point they’re barely usable is very disappointing.
 
Maybe I'm the minority but I absolutely LOVE my Airpod Pros. Was checking the site as soon as the rumors went up and ordered ASAP once it did that suprise release during the middle of the week.
I have one of those ears where the original Airpods don't fit. Even at the slightest movement, the headphones would fall out.
The Pros are a god send. Was begrudingly using Jabras 75T and Galaxy Buds.
The Pros 2 will also be an instant purchase for me.
 
I think this article should be updated to mention the MagSafe update to the AirPods Pro back in October:


At the very top of this article, it says “and while the wireless earbuds haven't been updated since then”

Updating that sentence to reflect this minor update would be prudent
 
The priorities for the APP 2 should be:
1. Better ear tips… wider with better base clip so it stays on the device
2. ANC/Transparency mode needs to be Much better as it’s relatively weak in the current APP ever since all the upgrades appear to have reduce the noise reduction functionality
3. Better battery life
- This may be more difficult because of the ANC/Transparency mode but if even cheaper brands can make a decent ANC version at a lower price with longer battery life, so can Apple.
4. High Cost if offputting considering the issues with fit, battery life and noise reduction.
 
  • Lossless - I buy them instantly
These features would make me consider them
  • 8 hour battery life
  • Improved ANC
  • Choice of what the functions on the headphones are i.e volume control / mic mute
  • Better anchor in the ear - I really like the Beats Fit Pro (I have the BeatsPro ear hooks but they will not be this design)
  • Better audio quality
  • USB C and magsafe
 
I really wish Apple would release headphones that worked with Spatial Audio *AND* High Resolution Lossless. Since all of Apple headphones are bluetooth, and bluetooth only supports AAC, not lossless. Wired third party headphones could support lossless, but not Spatial Audio. Really wish Apple could make either wired headphones, or maybe wifi headphones that can handle both things.

I also wish Apple would upgrade its builtin DAC, since its high resolution lossless songs on Apple Music can't even be played without an external DAC.
 
Hopefully we will see a newer H2 SoC to replace the current H1 used in most Apple and Beats wireless headphones and maybe that can support the Apple Lossless Audio Codec. Qualcomm recently released their aptX Lossless technology that offers CD-quality lossless (16-bit 44.1KHz) over Bluetooth so if H2 can do ALAC at 16-bit 44.1KHz that would be nice.

A claimed Late 2022 release implies it will launch alongside the iPhone 14.
 
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Airpod pros are the worst headphones I've ever owned simply because I cannot disable the touch functions. Change my mind.
Don’t touch them so much? I don’t know, never had a problem. I have the opposite problem, sometimes I think I’ve held it down long enough to trigger, but missed slightly.
 
All these features don’t matter. Fix goddamn microphones, that’s gonna be enough for me to buy the new version. Overall even the 1st gen after I got them replaced is okay, but this microphone quality is just killing me
 
All these features don’t matter. Fix goddamn microphones, that’s gonna be enough for me to buy the new version. Overall even the 1st gen after I got them replaced is okay, but this microphone quality is just killing me
Do people tell you that you sound muffled as well? I've had 2 sets of airpods (originals and pros) and I might as well not even use them for phone calls
Don’t touch them so much? I don’t know, never had a problem. I have the opposite problem, sometimes I think I’ve held it down long enough to trigger, but missed slightly.
Maybe its just me. Maybe mine are jank, but I cant even get the noise canceling to turn off. I move the slider and then it just slides itself back to noise canceling and then if i dont take my headphone out i cant hear someone. Could just be the way I use them, or that there is actually something wrong with them. I want to love them, i really do :(
 
Do people tell you that you sound muffled as well? I've had 2 sets of airpods (originals and pros) and I might as well not even use them for phone calls

Maybe its just me. Maybe mine are jank, but I cant even get the noise canceling to turn off. I move the slider and then it just slides itself back to noise canceling and then if i dont take my headphone out i cant hear someone. Could just be the way I use them, or that there is actually something wrong with them. I want to love them, i really do :(
It’s not that people are just telling me, I’m using voice memos quite frequently, and every time i have the pros in my ears I immediately remember about that, and forcing myself to switch to wired ones. Annoying as hell. And also im muffled in calls, any kind of calls, cellular, via telegram etc. first thing I hear after I say hi be “oh god, what a great mic you got” lol. So yeah, take all my money and give me good mics
 
What to expect?

Well, if they are anything like the first-gen APPs (which I've had replaced six times under warranty), then you can expect:

A) The noise cancellation to be fantastic at launch, then forever nerfed by mysterious firmware "updates."

B) Random rattling, thumping and squealing noises after a couple of weeks of use.

C) Battery drain issues that see the APPs lose a significant amount of their charge while they are in the charging case.

D) Another Apple Service Program For Sound Issues that Apple support employees claim they know nothing about and insist to you must pay the AppleCare deductible if you wish to have your APPs repaired.
 
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Maybe I'm the minority but I absolutely LOVE my Airpod Pros. Was checking the site as soon as the rumors went up and ordered ASAP once it did that suprise release during the middle of the week.
I have one of those ears where the original Airpods don't fit. Even at the slightest movement, the headphones would fall out.
The Pros are a god send. Was begrudingly using Jabras 75T and Galaxy Buds.
The Pros 2 will also be an instant purchase for me.

you are NOT alone, AirPod Pros are the best compact wireless earphones I've ever used.

LOVE 'EM PROS. :)
 
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