Apple AirPods are the talk of the tech world for its trendy look and great ability to be used as a meme. But which is better? The AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro?
With Christmas over, people around the world will have found a pair of these earphones in their stocking.
Were you one of the many that missed out and are thinking about picking up a pair in the Boxing Day or January sales?
Here are the differences between the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro you need to know to make your decision when buying yours!
The Differences Summarised
If you're out shopping and find yourself quickly Googling to find out the differences, here's a quick guide
Apple AirPods 2 | Apple AirPods Pro | |
|---|---|---|
Price | £130-£150 | £250 |
Battery Life | 5 hours + 19 hours in the case | 4.5 hours + 19 hours in the case |
Design And Fit | Universal Shape | Custom Ear Tips |
Controlled By Voice | Yes | Yes |
Sound Quality | - | Slightly Better |
Noise Cancellation | No | Yes |
EQ Balancing | No | Yes |
Water Resistance | No | Yes |
Pressure Valve | No | Yes |
Weight | AirPods 8g, Case 38g | AirPods 5.4g, Case 45.6g |
If you have the time, you should read about the difference in more detail to get a true picture of what these two offer.
Price
Immediately when you compare the two you'll look at the price. The second-generation of AirPods retail new at about £130-150, depending on where you get them from. You can find a pair, second hand, for less or a set of generation-one AirPods for about £100 on eBay.
The AirPods Pro will set you back £250 - a steep price when all you're trying to do is play music.
Do not be too hasty to judge the two until you know what they offer. The price could have already lost a number of shoppers, who simply need a pair of wireless earphones - but before you click off the page, be sure to check out what the Pro earphones offer.
Battery Life
The battery life hardly varies between the two. The AirPods will grant you 5 hours of time with an extra 19 via the charging case.
The AirPods Pro will give you 4.5 hours and an extra 19. A small difference, however, to maximise the time you get, you will need to turn off the noise-cancelling feature to get the maximum time.
Although the AirPods 2 have a marginal leg up, it's unlikely to make a large difference to most users. How often will you be using your earphones for 4-5 hour increments?
Design And Fit
Apple headphones have featured a nice universal fit, which is probably why the AirPods have sold so well and why Apple headphones have been so popular since they arrived with the iPod so many years ago.
The AirPods Pro feature plastic in-ear tips, which have become a popular trend throughout the years. They also come in varying sizes to help fit every ear, you'll also be able to run a sound test to get the right ones.
Comfort and fit is very important, there's nothing worse than spending money on something that gives you an earache or doesn't fit properly.
Controls
Both AirPods are controlled by your voice, thanks to the H1 chip installed.
This will allow you to use the hands-free feature and Siri.
The two also have controls on the earphones, but operate differently.
The AirPods are touch-sensitive; touch once to play or answer a phone call, touch twice to skip a song.
The AirPods Pro have a ridge on both stems; squeeze to switch noise-cancelling modes, skip tracks, pause music and answer calls.
Unfortunately, the Pro AirPods do not fix the issue of not being able to control the volume. You can only do this by communicating with Siri or reaching into your pocket and doing it on your phone.
Depending on where you stand, sound quality can make a huge difference to you or none at all. The AirPods sound quality is already fantastic and the slight difference may be unnecessary for some users.
Sound Quality
If you've tried the two, it's likely you won't notice a big difference.
Some users have noticed a slightly wider soundstage (how clearly you can hear individual instruments) and a slight improvement in overall clarity when using the AirPods Pro.
The AirPods Pro have a slightly larger frequency range and a slightly larger chamber that allows for the sound to expand more.
Some have suggested that the Pros performed better with the noise-cancelling switched off.
Noise Cancellation
The AirPods Pro bring noise cancelling to the party, which kills outside noise to allow you to enjoy your sound in peace.
These are constantly working and are adjusted 200 times per-second to help block out external noise pollution.
The Pro buds also have a 'Transparency' mode. This allows sound in from the outside world and works beautifully, achieving a good blend between your music and the outside world.
If you've never tried noise-cancelling before, it's hard to compare. It's a great feature, but if you can pump the volume high enough you can arguably get away without it.
EQ Balancing
The AirPods Pro features EQ balancing.
According to Apple, the AirPods Pro “automatically tunes the low- and mid-frequencies” by using a custom high dynamic range amplifier that “produces pure, incredibly clear sound while also extending battery life.”
Water-Resistant
The AirPods Pro are water-resistant, so sweat and water will not harm them.
That doesn't mean you should go swimming with them on; if they're submerged for too long they will break.
A novelty feature, but a nice one if you tend to come in contact with water regularly.
Pressure Valve
In-ear headphones can become uncomfortable, this is due to the build-up of pressure inside your ear.
The AirPods Pro have a very small pressure valve to help reduce the pressure inside your ear.
This is a great feature if you have sensitive ears or get earaches regularly or wear headphones for long periods of time.
Size & Weight
The AirPods Pro are shorter and stouter than the AirPods 2, having smaller tips - visually making them look a lot nicer, which may have put off customers in the past.
This is reflected in the weight as the AirProds 2 weigh 8 grams and the AirPods Pro weigh 5.4 grams.
Connection
Both feature a Bluetooth 5.0 connection, making for a flawless and beautiful connection between the headphones and phone.
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Written ByChris Trout@TheTrout91