Without making a big deal of it, Apple has announced its new variant of AirPods on their website. The new wireless Bluetooth earphones are called AirPods Pro and will support devices with iOS 13.2 or later.
AirPods Pro
Design
Last two generation of AirPods had the same design language. Without connecting it to an iPhone there was no way to distinguish them. But this time Apple came with a new design, which will surely be appreciated by the customers.
First of all the AirPods Pro comes with swappable in-ear tips which will stay in the ear while doing any kind of physical activity. Apple is also including three different sets of flexible silicone ear tips in the box for a much better grip.
The stick which extends from the main buds is shorter than previous iterations and more angled. The stick holds the ‘force sensor’, more on that later. The charging case also looks different this year. Though it is shorter in height and wider on sides, still you can carry it without any problem. The case has the same Lighting charging port and comes with Qi wireless charging.
Overall the AirPods looks more updated and comparable to other wireless earphones.
Specifications
With the tag ‘Pro’ Apple had to add some extra features to their new AirPods and there are many, to be honest. First of all, the earphones come with the same H1 Chip found with the second generation AirPods but with extra features.
Now you can switch between Apple devices much faster. With the help of the H1 processor and in-ear design, the AirPods Pro has active noise cancellation and adaptive sound equalization features.
If you want, you can block all the noise to enjoy the music in its full potential, or while being outside you can turn on ‘Transparency’ settings. Each EarPod comes with two microphones. One on the outside, listening to the noise.
One in the inside to predict how much of that outside noise is coming in and if any of its needs to be cancelled out. On paper, it means the AirPods will let in the sound of a train whistle, but not the chatter of fellow pedestrians. This system is powered by the ‘force sensor’, mentioned earlier.
The new design also helps the AirPods Pro to be water and sweat resistant, with an IPX4 rating. That means, even if it is OK to walk in light rain with the AirPods, it is not meant to be used in water sports and exercise.
Battery
All these special features make the battery run out faster. While previous AirPods could go on for 5 hours, AirPods Pro’s battery life is expected to be around 4 and a half hours. This battery expectation was tested by Apple with music from iTunes and with 50 volume, so your experience might vary. With additional help from the case, the AirPods can last up to 24 hours.
Price and Availability
AirPods Pro is available to order from Apple’s website and comes with a hefty price tag of $249. Shipping will start on October 30th.
In this price range, AirPods are going to get competition from some of the best alternatives from Sony and Master & Dynamic.
On the other hand, Amazon recently announced their Echo-branded noise-cancelling earbuds costing just $130 on the same date.
Verdict
Apple has included several great features to the AirPods Pro. Although the overall sound quality still needs to be tested after the launch, we are expecting it to be up to the mark. If you want the best audio experience, it might not be the one you should go for.
But with all these features, hands-free Siri activation and the brand value of Apple, AirPods Pro is the best choice for most iPhone users.
