Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review

In this article, we’re looking at the new Apple AirPods Pro 2: the new and improved version of the world’s most famous TWS. It sells for $299 USD.

Disclaimer: The Apple AirPods Pro 2 were bought by myself to do this review. Apple is not linked to Headfonia in any way.

About Apple

Unless you were stuck in a cave for the last thirty years, you must be accustomed to Apple Inc. One, if not the biggest mega-companies – valued at over $1 Trillion USD –  with the likes of Tesla or Coca-Cola. And if the brand used to be one of the most prominent actors of the DAP renaissance, with the iPod, it also led it to its grave when the iPhone replaced the original music player.

But Apple also took one decision that completely shifted the audio industry: going fully wireless with the AirPods – which replaced the EarPods. A move that was first mocked (remember all those jokes about the AirPods tails ?) before sales numbers proved them right, and us wrong.

And if every brand, small and big, tried to compete with Apple over the years, none ever shook the AirPods from its mighty throne… yet! So much that when the Apple AirPods Pro 2 was released to the market, it instantly became a hit, once again.

Sold for just under $/€300, they top Apple earphones range, only bested by the AirPods Max, the brand wireless headphone. I own it, owned the AirPods Pro 1st gen and now the AirPods Pro 2, so the real question is: as an audiophile, was it a good buy? Time to find out.

The AirPods Series

As usual, let’s check Apple’s line-up first, to see where the new AirPods Pro ends up.

AirPods 2

Two years after they launched the AirPods, Apple released the AirPods 2. If the sound was the same (bouuh), the brand optimized its best-seller by providing some neat features. First and foremost, the second generation supports wireless charging: just put the carry case on a Qi charger and it’s good to go.

In the same way, the AirPods 2 gives you a whole day of listening. As usual, you’ll have to put the earphones in the box and they’ll instantly charge, Apple advertising 3h of continuous listening, for a quick 15 minutes charge. The W1 chip was replaced by the H1 which is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and embeds a faster CPU, for better communication and stronger signal.

Price? €/$159

Sound? Still the same, still lacking (in my opinion).

AirPods 3

Based on the 1st gen AirPods Pro, the Apple AirPods 3 are a nice update compared to the 2nd gen. Nicer design, better sound, and improved chip embedded, they basically outperform the AirPods 2 on every level.

Sure, you don’t get the same level of performance found on the upper model – the AirPods Pro – and you won’t get access to noise-canceling either, but if you’re an iOS user and need a reliable, good sound in TWS with hassle-free connection… that’s the one.

Price? A little more than before: €/$199.

AirPods Max

Sitting at the top, the AirPods Max is Apple’s flagship Bluetooth headphone. A terrific one, with great sound, comfy design, exceptional built, and… a strange but now classic design. It’s one of my favorite headphones, and my go-to for anyone that needs heavy-bass on the run, but it might be a bit too big for your everyday use – and noise-cancelling is now inferior to the AirPods Pro 2.

“Still, with all the discounts available now, it’s a great option if you want a TOTL Bluetooth headphone. Here is an excerpt of our review:

The Apple AirPods Max is a fantastic piece of hardware, that doubles up as a great headphone. It embeds all of what Apple did during the last years and mixes it into one of the most thrilling devices I’ve ever tried.

You get excellent sound performances, top-of-the-line build-quality, and high-end features… as long as you stay in the brand eco-system. So, if you’re not ready to get a good DAC+Headphone setup, or just want the best Bluetooth headphone of the moment, here it is. “

Full review available here:

AirPods Pro 2

Same design, new chip, new transducer, and new price – higher of course – that’s how you could describe the new AirPods Pro 2. 

In fact, Apple has always been known for its ability to make small improvements, capitalizing on those subtle increases to keep its high margin. But, sometimes, the new generation really makes a difference from the prior one. Like when the iPhone went from the 4th to the 5th generation, or when the brand completely ditched the headphone jack on the iPhone X.

And, if from afar the difference looks negligible, I can assure you that in ears, those new AirPods Pro 2 are far and above the previous gen… How far? Let me explain.

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