The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.?Why trust us?

Apple AirPods pro 2’s noise cancelling is so impressive, I couldn’t hear myself type this review

The latest iteration may not look wildly different, but there’s battery life and extra features to unpack

David Phelan
Thursday 22 September 2022 14:00 BST
Apple claims the new buds can deduct twice the noise compared with the previous model
Apple claims the new buds can deduct twice the noise compared with the previous model (The Independent)

The latest AirPods release from Apple is an update to its premium in-ear offering – the AirPods pro. This is the second-generation version (Apple’s not calling the new earbuds ‘AirPods pro 2’ as, not least, the earlier model will no longer be produced).

The new version offers extra features related to audio quality, noise-cancelling performance and, just as importantly, battery life. What the new earbuds don’t have is a strikingly different design or even extra colours to choose from. Even so, the benefits are significant, and come at the same price as the previous model (?249).

The updated processor promises something called “personalised spatial audio”, which even asks to take a look in your ear with the iPhone camera (so perhaps make sure you’ve washed before you do this).

How we tested

I tested the new AirPods pro in various environments, to check out the new adaptive transparency mode, which aims to ensure you can hear the outside world while reducing environmental noise that’s unpleasant to hear. Yes, that’s right, the AirPods pro are now meant to make real life sound better, too.

I listened at length, to check for comfort and to see how long the battery really did last. I also tested call quality (for the wearer and for the person at the other end of the line).

Apple AirPods pro 2nd gen

Apple AirPods pro 2nd gen.jpg
  • Active noise-cancellation: Yes
  • Spatial audio: Yes
  • Sensors: Dual beam-forming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, speech detecting
  • Processor: Apple H2, Apple U1 chip in charging case
  • Battery: Up to six hours of listening and up to four and a half hours of talk time
  • Battery including charging case: Up to 30 hours listening time and up to 24 hours talk time
  • Weight: Earbuds 5.4g, charging case 45.6g

Design

There are no easily spotted differences between the new AirPods pro and the previous model, though the acoustic vents on the edges of the buds have been slightly rearranged.

You can tell the AirPods pro apart from the latest, third-generation AirPods because the pro earbuds have silicone tips on the end, to ensure a decent seal in the ear, which helps with noise-isolation.

There are now more of those tips on the latest pro model – along with the small, medium and large tips supplied before, there’s an extra-small option, to ensure the perfect fit. This is good not just for noise reduction but to help ensure they don’t fall out of your ears.

Read more: Do the AirPods pro earbuds beat the originals?

This being Apple, there’s even an ear-tip-fit test in the iPhone software (go to ‘settings’ and if the AirPods pro are connected, you’ll see them appear as an item on the first page. Tap the ear test (while you’ve got the earbuds in your ears) and you’ll hear a tune, so the software can work out if the AirPods are fitting well.

Setup, by the way, remains as sublimely easy as ever with AirPods. Just bring the AirPods pro (still in their case) near your iPhone or iPad, for instance, open the case and you’ll see a picture of them appear on screen. You choose to connect them and, well, then you’re done.

The biggest change in design applies to the charging case, which now has a loop on the side to enable you to attach a lanyard to it. There’s now a speaker on the underside of the case too. No, no, that’s not for playing music, that would be ridiculous. The case now includes Apple’s U1 chip, which means you can use the Find My app on your iPhone, say, to locate it when you’ve misplaced it. The speaker means the case can make sounds to let you know you’re close to it, like a game of hide and seek that only gadgets can play.

There’s one other change to the case – it has a MagSafe connector in it, so you can charge the AirPods pro in their case from the same MagSafe charger that works with compatible iPhones. You can also charge them using the Apple Watch charging puck, a feature that is exclusive to the new AirPods pro.

Engraving on AirPods cases is nothing new, but you can now get more personal than ever. Memoji is the name for the cartoony identity you can create for yourself to go with your Apple ID. Now, you can have this engraved on the case. This new feature is available on previous generations of AirPods cases, too.

Sound quality

The new Apple H2 chip is central to the performance of the second-generation AirPods pro – it has twice the transistors found on the previous H1 chip (if you’re counting, the number has gone up from 500 million to 1 billion).

So, what does that mean in audio terms? It’s pretty impressive. To start with, noise-cancelling is noticeably better than on the first-generation pro earbuds, and that was industry-leading.

Apple claims the new headphones can deduct twice the noise the previous model was able to, partly because the new chip is faster and can run more advanced algorithms. Apple says it’s been tuned to work better in environments such as cafes or busy offices.

In practice, noise-cancelling was good enough to reduce continuous sounds such as engine noise on a train, and, spookily, meant I couldn’t hear my fingers typing out this review.

Then there’s personalised spatial audio. First, use the front-facing camera (the TrueDepth camera) to provide the software with a front-on view of your face, followed by a view of each side of your face, to capture the shape of your ears. It takes less than a minute to do. The idea is that, when you’re done, the personalised audio sounds a lot better than non-personalised. Note that you can turn this off any time you like, but you will need to go through the set-up process again if you want to turn it back on at a later stage. The personalised settings carry across to your other devices as well, and this feature is also available on third-generation AirPods and AirPods max.

Read more: The best iPad deals to shop this month

Some other headphones have systems that can modify the sound quality, though rarely as easily as this, and the difference here between personalised and non-personalised is certainly noticeable. I can’t describe how it would be for you, but for me the higher notes were more articulated and vocals seemed more alive. Turning it off again meant the music seemed flatter. Some notes that seemed less present while the personalised setting was turned off then became punchier and clearer when it was on. It’s a subtle but effective improvement.

There’s a new control mechanism for adjusting the playback volume – swiping the stem of the earbud. It’s tricky to learn but effective once you have.

Adaptive transparency worked well. It’s for those situations where you need to have contact with the real world, for a conversation perhaps, but don’t want to turn off the music. It’s hard to assess how much better this is, though it felt like some noises, such as road drills or sirens, were just a little less horrible, though they certainly still cut through.

It’s worth noting that even these new AirPods pro don’t let you play music in lossless quality, but the audio here is stunning nonetheless.

Performance and battery life

The improvements in audio quality are mostly down to the new H2 chip, which is highly effective. Things that AirPods users take for granted, such as good call quality, are as good as ever, while using the Find My app to locate the case was simple.

Battery life is better – not something you always hear with an updated gadget. The original AirPods pro managed four and a half hours with active noise cancellation turned on. That’s now up to six hours in the latest pro. This is more than the previous version managed with noise cancelling turned off (five hours). Talk time for phone calls is up by an hour, Apple says, to four and a half hours. And, while the new feature of personalised spatial audio reduces listening time, at five and a half hours, this is still more than the longest listening time available on the first-generation pro.

These are Apple’s claims, but real-world testing suggested these figures are accurate.

Back to top

The verdict: AirPods pro second generation

The new AirPods pro are a significant improvement over the already-splendid first-generation model. Though there’s no major design change, except to the charging case, the improvements to audio are worth having. Even if they weren’t, the increase in battery life is useful. And, if you bought your AirPods pro when they first came out in late 2019, it’s likely those batteries won’t be as long-lasting any more.

Since the first-generation AirPods pro aren’t on sale now, the comparison is with the AirPods third-generation (?179) and AirPods second-generation (?139). While there’s no doubt the entry-level AirPods are great value, and the third-generation model includes personalised spatial audio, AirPods pro remain the go-to for audiophiles or those who relish the joys of great noise-cancelling.

AirPods pro are Apple’s priciest in-ear headphones but they are feature-packed, comfortable and, above all, they offer sensational audio.

Not entirely convinced? Find out if Google Pixel’s buds pro are worth a listen

Read more: Best VPNs

Look through the best mobile deals to link up with airpods

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
TUI Discount Code
?300 off a 7 night stay with the deal of the week - TUI discount code
ASOS Discount Code
ASOS Discount Code
Extra 20% off selected sale orders with this ASOS discount code
Travelodge Discount Code
Travelodge Discount Code
5% off bookings with this Travelodge voucher code
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Get 15% off + Extra 5% on select products with this Cult Beauty voucher code
The Body Shop Discount Code
The Body Shop Discount Code
Save 20% on orders with The Body Shop discount code
Currys Discount Codes
Currys Discount Codes
Over 30% off in the Currys tablet sale, includes iPads

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top