Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review: Are They Really Worth the $249 Price Tag?

By Suresh Baskey

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Apple AirPods Pro 2 are premium wireless earbuds offering improved sound quality, enhanced noise cancellation, and Adaptive Transparency Mode for reducing loud external noises. They come with personalized spatial audio for a more immersive experience, better battery life, and convenient features like touch volume controls and a Find My-enabled charging case. With sweat and water resistance, they’re suitable for workouts and outdoor use. However, at $249, they remain pricey, and certain features work best within the Apple ecosystem.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Enhanced Sound Quality

The AirPods Pro 2 are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers a noticeable improvement in audio quality. With this upgraded hardware, users get richer, deeper bass, and crisper highs. The overall sound profile is more balanced, making them ideal for everything from casual listening to critical audio work.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Next-Level Noise Cancellation

The new Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the AirPods Pro 2 is one of its most notable features. According to Apple, the ANC on these earbuds blocks out twice as much noise compared to the original AirPods Pro. Whether you’re in a noisy office, on a busy street, or in an airplane, this enhanced noise cancellation allows for a more immersive, distraction-free listening experience.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Adaptive Transparency Mode

The AirPods Pro 2 introduce Adaptive Transparency Mode, which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings without being overwhelmed by loud noises like sirens or construction. This feature adjusts in real-time to reduce the intensity of sudden loud sounds, giving you a safer and more comfortable way to hear what’s going on around you.

Personalized Spatial Audio

Spatial audio is taken to the next level with a new personalized listening experience. Using your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, the AirPods Pro 2 can map your ears’ shape and deliver a more customized, immersive sound. This enhances the surround-sound effect, making it feel like you’re in the middle of the action, whether you’re watching movies or listening to music.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Longer Battery Life

Battery life has been extended in the AirPods Pro 2, with up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge (with ANC on), and a total of 30 hours when using the charging case. This is a significant boost from the original model, allowing for more listening time between charges.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Upgraded Charging Case

The charging case now includes some thoughtful upgrades. It comes with a built-in speaker that plays sounds to help you locate it using the Find My app. There’s also a U1 chip inside, which further enhances the case’s ability to be found if lost. Another bonus: the case can now be charged using an Apple Watch charger, offering more convenience when on the go.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Touch Controls for Volume

A new addition to the AirPods Pro 2 is the ability to adjust volume directly on the earbuds. By swiping up or down on the stem, you can increase or decrease the volume without needing to reach for your phone or ask Siri. This intuitive feature is particularly useful during workouts or commutes.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Sweat and Water Resistance

Both the AirPods Pro 2 and their case are rated IPX4, meaning they’re resistant to sweat and water. This makes them durable enough for workouts, rain, or outdoor activities without worrying about damage.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Improved Connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3

These earbuds come equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.3, which improves connectivity, range, and power efficiency. This upgrade ensures a more stable and faster connection to your devices, with less battery drain.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Competitive Pricing

Despite all these enhancements, the AirPods Pro 2 are priced similarly to their predecessor at $249. Given the upgrades in sound quality, noise cancellation, and convenience features, they offer strong value for anyone looking to invest in premium earbuds.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a significant upgrade over the original model, offering improved sound, better noise cancellation, personalized audio experiences, and more convenient features like touch controls and enhanced case functionality. They’re a solid choice for both casual listeners and audiophiles alike.

+ points (pros) and – points (cons) of the Apple AirPods Pro 2:

+ Points (Pros)

  1. Improved Sound Quality: The new H2 chip provides deeper bass, clearer highs, and a more immersive sound experience.
  2. Enhanced Noise Cancellation: The upgraded ANC blocks out twice as much noise as the original AirPods Pro, making them excellent for noisy environments.
  3. Adaptive Transparency Mode: This feature reduces loud noises (sirens, construction) while still allowing you to hear ambient sounds, offering a safer and more pleasant listening experience.
  4. Personalized Spatial Audio: Uses the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to customize the audio to your ears, delivering a more immersive, surround-sound experience.
  5. Better Battery Life: Up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC on, and 30 hours with the charging case—an improvement from the original version.
  6. Convenient Charging Case: New Find My feature, built-in speaker, and compatibility with Apple Watch chargers make the case more practical.
  7. Touch Controls for Volume: Allows you to adjust the volume directly from the earbuds by swiping, making it more convenient during use.
  8. Sweat and Water Resistance: IPX4 rating for both the earbuds and the charging case, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
  9. Bluetooth 5.3: Offers improved connection stability, range, and power efficiency compared to older Bluetooth versions.
Apple AirPods Pro 2

– Points (Cons)

  1. Price: At $249, they remain on the expensive side, especially for users who don’t require all the premium features.
  2. Design Similar to Original: While the internal components have improved, the exterior design hasn’t changed much, which might not feel “new” to some users.
  3. Limited Compatibility: Some features, like Personalized Spatial Audio, only work fully within the Apple ecosystem, so Android users may not get the full experience.
  4. No Lossless Audio: Despite the high-end audio quality, they don’t support lossless audio, which may disappoint audiophiles looking for the best sound possible.
  5. Battery Wear Over Time: As with most wireless earbuds, the batteries in the AirPods Pro 2 will degrade over time, reducing their lifespan unless replaced.
  6. Volume Controls Could Be Improved: While swipe volume control is a step forward, some users find it a bit finicky or hard to use while moving.
  7. Not Ideal for All Ear Shapes: Despite the ear tips coming in multiple sizes, the fit might not be perfect for everyone, potentially affecting sound quality and comfort.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer top-tier sound and features, but the high price and some minor limitations may give pause to certain users.