AirPods Pro 2, all the news of the new Apple headphones

AirPods Pro 2, all the news of the new Apple headphones. As expected, the AirPods Pro 2 were also in the list of the many announcements that characterized the Far Out event with which Apple launched the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple announces the new Apple Watch Ultra

What Apple has unveiled is a significant update to the iconic headphones that since 2015 have contributed to popularizing the world of full wireless earphones. The news comes three years after the launch of the first Airpods Pro, after the launch of the Airpods 3, and given the popularity and widespread use of the first model, it is safe to bet that they will be a reference point for the market.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 design

The Airpods Po 2, which for Apple are officially called Airpods Pro (2nd Generation). they are completely identical at least in the shape of the actual earphones, to the Airpods Pro. They have the classic rounded design and a short stem. There is no shortage of rubber pads, which however become four instead of three, to facilitate the fit and make the earphones more stable.

None of the more “revolutionary” rumors that had been circulating for weeks prior to their launch materialize. We have neither two distinct models of Airpods Pro 2. (hypothesis put forward by some images posted by the “leaker” known as Mr-white who presented as proof two cables of two different sizes) nor the less imaginative button caps, without stems.

The fall of the stem was made probable by the fact that the two out of three Apple earphones, the Beats Studio Buds and the Beats Fit Pro9 (the third ones with the Airpods 3 stem) are devoid of the temples that have characterized the Airpods for years. This hypothesis was actually sent to the archive at the beginning of the summer by a “mega leak” that had revealed several construction details of the new model starting from a very clear rendering of the case.

A second rendering had arrived just before the launch of the Airpods Pro and then finally sealed the fact that the second generation Airpods Pro would have the classic peduncle.

New H2 processor

The main novelty of the second generation Airpods Pro is in the processor. They are the first Apple earphones based on the H2 chip, direct successor to H1 used for years in several products by Apple (among others all the latest Beats earphones, as well as the Airpods Pro, the Airpods 3 and the Airpods Max headphones).

The H2 processor was explicitly mentioned by analyst Ming Chi Kuo in an old report released to his customers. Kuo did not explicitly say that he would make the processor but since H1 manages practically everything about the Airpods: audio playback, noise suppression, sensors, battery, it was clear that he would do the same thing indeed a few more and all better.

Apple now actually explains to us that “compared to its predecessor, the H2 performs even more functions, leveraging computational algorithms to create smarter noise cancellation, generate higher quality three-dimensional sound and improve battery life”

Bluetooth 5.3 support not to Bluetooth LE and Lossless audio

Airpods 2 Pro, thanks to the processor support the new Bluetooth 5.3 technology. Again nothing new: it was learned from the database of the group that implements the Bluetooth standard, that Apple was testing components compatible with Bluetooth 5.3. However, there are no mentions of Bluetooth LE Audio which according to Ming Chi Kuo would have been a feature of the new Airpods Pro.

This implementation of the standard for wireless communication, which can already be used with Bluetooth 5.2 and even more so with Bluetooth 5.3, represents an important step forward. Recall that thanks to Bluetooth LE, the Airpods Pro 2 could

  • Increase the sound quality
  • Improve autonomy
  • Connect to multiple devices at the same time without switching from one to the other manually
  • Connect one headset to one device and the second to another device
  • Accept the connection of a second device to the same source. In practice, you could connect multiple Airpods to an iPhone or a Mac
  • Support for the LC3 codec, superior to the current SBC

In reality, although Bluetooth 5.3 is explicitly mentioned in the specifications, it is not clear what the Airpods Pro 2 use it for. Apparently nothing. In particular, Lossless audio is not mentioned. Support for Bluetooth 5.3 without any of the advantages that Bluetooth LE Audio could bring is the most mysterious and least justifiable of the technical choices of the Airpods Pro 2.

Equally disappointing is the lack of Apple Music Lossless audio support. The Airpods Pro 2 therefore remain in line with other Apple products which, probably due to limitations that prevent playback of the ALAC codec with which the entire Apple Music catalog is encoded, have only AAC support.

In any case, with support for Bluetooth 5.3 and the H2 chip, Bluetooth LE Audio and ALAC could also be activated at a later time with a firmware update.

Adaptive noise cancellation

AirPods Pro 2 introduce adaptive noise cancellation technology. This is a sort of automatic transparency that is deactivated and adjusted as the noise grows and is also present in other competing products.

In the second generation Airpods Pro, adaptive noise cancellation “listens” to the environment and modifies the level of cancellation of the surrounding sound so as to give us the possibility to hear what is happening around us if there is not too much noise but also to give us silence when there is an intrusive noise instead. In practice, says Apple, the noises to be canceled are selected: for example, the siren of an ambulance, construction tools, or even loudspeakers at a concert.

More effective noise cancellation

Apple also mentions twice as efficient noise cancellation, always giving the H2 processor credit for this breakthrough. The Airpods Pro were good but lately not amazing in this sector, since so many competitors have arrived on the market that have sometimes equalized other times, surpassed the Airpods pro.

Apple explains that the increased efficiency in noise reduction also comes from the redesigned driver. A contribution, for some particular categories of users, can also come from the new extra small rubbers which can make a contribution to improving passive insulation.

Improved sound performance and personalized spatial audio

Apple also talks about improved sound rendering. “Thanks to the new low distortion driver – writes Apple – and the custom amplifier, the AirPods Pro now offer richer bass and crystal clear audio over a wider range of frequencies.

There is also the custom spatial audio function, a system that, using the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, reads the size and shape of the head and ears, adapting the sound accordingly with a version cut to size (and synchronized on all devices). spatial audio. Here, too, no extraordinary news. We also mention the Sony WH-1000MX5 headphones which do the same thing to customize the audio (not the spatial audio) by simply using the camera.

Volume control without Siri

The Airpods Pro 2 offer (finally!) Direct volume control. Just swipe the stem up or down to adjust the audio output.

New case with speaker

The case of the Airpods 2 Pro has been redesigned and IPX4 certified for resistance to water and dust and performs functions that were not possible in the previous version, both due to the presence of the U1 chip and the integrated speaker. The new “box” now

  • It is compatible with Precise Position
  • It emits a sound to signal its position (today only the earphones are ringing)
  • Provides sound signals about the battery level
  • Provides sound confirmation of pairing with a device
  • Has a hook for a lanyard (sold separately)

Apple does not mention Live Listening integrated in the case, one of the functions that it was said that would appear with the Airpods Pro 2. In practice it is a system to use the AirPods as environmental sound amplifiers, using the iPhone microphone that allows you to use an iPhone as a microphone that transmits sound to the Airpods. Put the phone near a TV, a radio or any speaker or maybe even in front of one of our interlocutors, it is possible to hear the amplified sound in the Airpods.

Customization also with Animoji and Memoji

It is now possible to customize the charging case with a Memoji, such as Memoji in custom poses, Animoji and a selection of stickers. Previously, Airpods cases were only customizable with Emoji. Touch of refinement: the customization is also reflected in the representation of the case presented by the operating system.

To load the Memoji and have the customization, it is essential to purchase the Airpods Pro 2 from the Apple Store using the iPhone application. This is the only way to upload the image.

Autonomy and recharge

The second generation Airpods Pro offer an improvement in autonomy that goes from 5 to 6 hours with adaptive noise suppression; this is an apparently only recent increase because in reality it represents, as Apple says, a step forward of 33%. It is also the same autonomy as the Airpods 3 which do not have noise suppression. Using the case you can get up to 30 hours of playback.

For charging, Apple continues to take advantage of Lightning. A not too understandable choice given that all the latest products in the audio sector, including Beats earphones, have USB-C ports, a technology that would have allowed to increase the charging speed.

Note that wireless charging is now more flexible: it can also be done with an Apple Watch charger, which simplifies cable management while on the go.

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