AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 cost $249, the same as the pair before them, and the money bought a great deal more silence. Apple put the improvement at up to twice as much noise cancelled, and credited the new H2 chip for it. Adaptive Transparency was introduced alongside, which lets the outside world through while quietening sudden loud sounds such as a siren or a drill.

Volume could now be changed on the earbud itself, with a light swipe up or down the stem. An extra small ear tip was added, taking the choice to four sizes, which matters more than it sounds because a seal is what makes noise cancellation work at all.

The charging case was given three separate answers to the problem of losing it. A speaker was built in so it could make a noise, a lanyard loop was added so it could be attached to a bag, and Precision Finding was introduced so a nearby iPhone could point to exactly where it was sitting.

Battery life went to six hours of listening with noise cancellation on, against four and a half on the AirPods Pro before them, and 30 hours in total with the case rather than 24. The water rating stayed at IPX4 for sweat and rain, and this time the case was rated too.

It was announced on 7 September 2022 at the ‘Far out’ event. Pre-orders opened on 9 September, while it was released to shops on 23 September, priced at $249.

Check out the AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) that replaced it.