Review | AirPods Pro 2: the perfect companion for the ecosystem

With the introduction of the AirPods Pro in 2019, Apple set a standard for the market. Companies like Samsung, Sony and Bose quickly followed with rock-solid competitors that evolved over the years. In 2022, Apple will come up with an answer in the form of the AirPods Pro 2.

The wow factor from 2019 seems to be achieved again and Apple is once again putting itself at the top. It’s just not quite what most of you might expect. The power of these AirPods Pro 2 is in… the chip?

The new Apple AirPods Pro 2

The design hasn’t changed much since 2019. The -still bright white- earplugs and its charging box have only been adjusted on a number of points.

Apple has provided the AirPods Pro 2 with an extra grille. These provide an improved noise reduction and transparency mode that I will come back to later in this review.

The boxes largely look the same, although there are also a number of pleasant changes to be discovered here. One of these is the option to attach a loop, so that you lose the earplugs less quickly.

Apple has understood that well. Losing AirPods is one thing in practice. Exactly why the AirPods Pro 2 has improved Find My functionality. As with the AirTags, it is possible to navigate to the earbuds or have the case play a sound as soon as it is nearby.

The sound comes from the speaker grill that can now be found on the charging box. In addition to the Find My¬ functionalities, it also plays a sound as soon as you place it, for example, on the charger. That could be a standard, MagSafe, or even Apple Watch charger.

4 Rock-solid AirPods Pro 2 features

So the AirPods Pro 2 really has to rely on the functionalities. I’ll discuss the power of the H2 chip in a moment, but first I’ll explain four additions or changes that I think are particularly useful:

#1 Directly adjust the volume

It is striking that it took a long time, but the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are finally able to control the volume. Until now, this had to be done with the Apple Watch or the iPhone.

Grab the stem with two fingers. Then slide up for a higher volume and down for a lower volume. It may take some getting used to, but very useful.

#2 Battery life 33% improved

Apple has also significantly improved the battery life with the AirPods Pro 2. With 33% compared to the previous model, no less.

The result is that you can use the earphones for six hours on a full charge, while the active noise cancellation is switched on. If you charge the earbuds with the case, it is even possible to enjoy them for 30 hours.

#3 Smaller tips

It won’t be for everyone, but Apple’s decision to include smaller tips is a good one. This time the medium tips are standard on the earbuds and you have the option to replace them with large, small or even extra small tips.

Handy tip: also do the fit test on your iPhone. You can do that within Settings -> AirPods Pro. If you need smaller or larger tips, your phone will make that clear.

#4 Sound quality is better

The sound quality of the AirPods Pro 2 has improved, although Lossless Audio support is still nowhere to be seen.

However, it is possible to make optimal use of Personalized Spatial Audio. You scan your own ears via your iPhone, so that Spatial Audio is completely tailored to you. Ideal.

H2 the great power of AirPods Pro 2

Good. Now to the point where Apple really knows how to make a difference: the H2 chip. Don’t worry, I’m not going to put up a technical story about how exactly this one operates. Well, I’ll tell you what’s in it for you.

The H2 chip provides two things: better active noise cancellation and a masterful transparency mode.

The AirPods Pro 2 has noise cancellation that, according to Apple, filters twice as much noise as the first generation did. Difficult to determine, but I can’t ignore the fact that the ANC (Active Noise-Cancellation) provides ultimate peace of mind. The earplugs are in that area with the top of the entire market and cause a lot of frustration at home, and I completely ignore the editors when it’s busy.

Good, but not masterly. That title goes into transparency mode. As with the previous model and the AirPods Max, ambient sounds can be heard excellently. But with a little twist.

The AirPods Pro 2 still filter sounds above 90dB and pull them to 85dB or lower. A barking dog, screaming neighbor or siren: you hear them, but simply less loudly.

Apple’s earplugs are therefore not only ideal for music, but also for ear protection. Think, for example, of a concert, where the sound is usually much too loud. Trade in your regular protection for the AirPods Pro 2 and you’re still baked.

AirPods Pro 2: just really good

After the success of the previous generation and the presentation of Far Out set the bar high. The AirPods Pro 2 seemed to be a masterful product and practice only confirmed this last week.

The lack of Lossless Audio is incomprehensible, but that’s where it really ends. I have enough people around me who bought the previous model in 2019 and who still wear them daily in 2022. The same role is reserved for this new model.

The price of 299 euros is certainly not tender and perhaps too high if your current Pros are still doing well. But I assure you that the AirPods Pro 2 are worth every penny once you do want to take the step.