I am a rare duck in the tech space as I really don't have a preference between Android and iOS. I have traditionally carried an Android phone and used Apple tablets and laptops. I just honestly find Samsung's innovation in hardware more intriguing. That said, I recently bought a new iPhone 15 Pro for a second phone to leave in my house and saw these new Airpods on sale, so I scooped them. The move to USBC convinced me I need to try both. I have used darn near every credible earbud that has come to market in the last four years. Sony, Bose, B&W, Anker, Apple, Beats, Sennheiser, and many others. I have been chasing the perfect set. I think I found them here or, at the very least, found the closest thing there is to perfection. Here are my thoughts on the new Airpods Pro2:
Sound: This is the one area that they don't win hands down, but they sound great. Many of my buds feature larger more well tuned drivers. Some even have dual drivers. Many have the option to upscale to more lossless sound by using AptX. None of that is here, but what Apple has done with sound is commendable. There is good separation between the highs, mids, and lows. Unlike previous Airpods, these things bring a very solid low end that can rumble a bit. I am not an audiophile, but these sound really good. I still think that the new Sony buds and Sennheiser buds are better but it isn't a landslide. Apple has nailed it with active noise cancelling here as well. While the Bose Quiet Comfort buds are still the GOAT for me, these are at least as good as the runner up from Sony. These block out all but the most sudden noises. Really good all around.
Call quality: These are easily the best there is for calls. It really isn't close. They do an unbelievable job of masking background noise so folks on the other end can hear you. I was on a call with a friend who was using them as well and his son was in the background gaming. He was yelling at the game and, occasionally when he spoke, I could pick up on it a bit, but only when he spoke. The processing here is just so good.
Form Factor: I hate stem style buds generally, but these are solid. They are light and have real balance in the ear. I think because the Pro's have silicone tips they just work better for me. The squeeze functionality makes these so accurate to use when compared to others that rely on tapping and the swipe volume control is really outstanding. For my ears, and this is subjective for sure, these are all day comfortable. You get a solid IP54 water and dust resistance, so these will hold up well in the gym.
Battery Life: These are average in this space when compared with their peers. I am getting about five hours on bud. You get another three to four charges from the case. Many others are better here, but I find battery life to be perfectly acceptable for everyday use.
Intangibles: There are almost too many things to mention here. First, the case is, as always, the best in the business. It is tiny, solid, packs a great battery, and has the most satisfying magnetic click when closing. I love the spatial audio. It is gimmicky but really fun when it is executed properly during a show or movie. The speech detection is amazing. As is the easy pairing and use on the iPhone. Find my buds is the BOMB. There is so much more that I will update later. These are very well thought out.
Conclusion: For me, Apple has crushed it here. Having FINALLY moved to USBC (even if it took the EU to force them) makes all Apple things so much better. These buds might not be the best at much, but they are very good at everything. I can honestly say that these are the best buds on the market. Will I use others for different occasions? Yes, but I doubt that as long as I have an iPhone, I will use many of them often. Buy these now with complete and total confidence. Wow Apple, just wow! Well done!
***Update*** So, I am three weeks in with these and I have a couple of other thoughts I should add. First, the thing that jumps off the page to me is the speaker built into the case. I have owned dozens of buds and this is a first to me. It is awesome. The case chimes when the buds are properly returned to the case. You get a low battery notification and it is also used to “find my AirPods.” It is simply brilliant and an example of how thoughtful some of Apple’s designs are. The case is simply next level and that means more than most people think since you interact with it regularly. The other thing that stands out is how much customization there is and how intuitive it is to set up in your settings. Sony offers similar customization and, in some ways more, but it takes a lot more work. Like I said, there are better options for a lot of things, but the polish and attention to detail here from Apple make these a clear winner overall. If you are on the fence, don’t be. I will update with anything else but these are easily the best all around buds on the market. Buy with confidence
| Model Name | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, 2023) |
|---|---|
| Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth, NFC |
| Included Components | Cable, Wireless Charging Case |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Material | Plastic |
| Specific Uses For Product | Music, Sport, Gaming |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Calling, Running, Recording, Exercising, Gaming |
| Compatible Devices | Car Audio Systems, Cellphones, Gaming Consoles, Laptops, Desktops |
| Control Type | Call Control, Volume Control, Media Control, App Control, Voice Control, Noise Control, Siri |
| Cable Feature | With USB-C Cable |
| Item Weight | 0.24 Kilograms |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Style | Pro Gen 2 |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Controller Type | Siri |
| Battery Life | 6 Hours |
| Earpiece Shape | Oval |
| UPC | 195949052484 |
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Product Dimensions | 0.94 x 0.86 x 1.22 inches |
| Item Weight | 8.4 ounces |
| ASIN | B0CHWRXH8B |
| Item model number | MTJV3AM/A |
| Batteries | 3 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Date First Available | September 12, 2023 |
