Apple has announced the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The biggest change is charging via the USB-C cable, but there are also new features such as Adaptive audio, Call detection and Personalized volume.
By Megan van der Wagt
After the presentation about the new series of iPhone 15 and Apple Watches (such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2), the latest generation of the Apple AirPods Pro was also announced. Apple claims that with the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) you will experience audio like never before.
Charging with USB-C cable
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) can now be charged via the USB-C connector. This allows the new AirPods as well as the Mac, iPad and iPhone 15 models to all be charged with the same cable. In addition, the AirPods Pro can even be charged directly with the new iPhone 15 models.
Noise reduction, dust resistance and transparency mode
In addition to charging via the USB-C cable, there are some differences, such as noise reduction and dust resistance. The new variant has twice as much active noise cancellation as in the previous version. This ensures that unwanted outside noise is filtered out even better. Both the earphones and the case have better dust resistance according to the IP54 (splash-proof and dust-free) standard.
New Losless audio with Apple Vision Pro
Lossless audio is the form of compression that retains all the original data. The AirPods Pro (2nd generation), together with the MagSafe charging case, enables Lossless audio with less delay. A collaboration with the Apple Vision Pro can therefore be very nice. By combining the H2 chip of the AirPods Pro and Apple Vision Pro with the wireless audio protocol, this results in less audio delay.
New features with Adaptive Audio and Call Detection
• Adaptive audio: This is a new listening mode that adjusts noise cancellation to your environment. This is done by dynamically using both transparency mode and active noise cancellation. This is possible through advanced computational audio. This means you are not completely isolated from your environment, but at the same time you are less bothered by disturbing noises.
• Call detection: As soon as you start talking to someone, Conversation Detection reduces the volume of the content. The voice of the person you are talking to is then amplified.
• Personalized volume: This feature reads your environment and volume preferences and gradually learns how you often use your headphones. The headphones can then adapt to this.
Environmentally conscious
The new AirPods Pro are designed with different materials and features that have minimal impact on the environment. For example, they use 100% recycled rare earth metals in all magnets and 100% recycled gold in the gold plating of several circuit boards. The case is also 100% recycled tin which is used in the solder on the motherboard with 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are free from substances that may be harmful, such as mercury, brominated flame retardants, PVC and beryllium. Thanks to new packaging, there is no plastic covering. The packaging is therefore made of at least 90% fibres.
Price and availability
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe charging case will be available from September 22 for €279.00 via Apple’s website.
