Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review

Usage and Comfort 

Everyday Use

Once again, Apple remains king in this regard: no other brand achieved the same ease of use – if you’re using an iPhone/iPad as a source of course.

If you have an iPhone like me, connecting the AirPods is like searching for p$rn on the internet: too easy.

Just take your AirPods Pro 2 out of the retail box, open it near your iPhone/iPad, and they will appear on your screen. Keep the button at the back pressed for a few seconds, and that’s all. Plus, everything is clearly explained with a 3D video, STEP-BY-STEP !

Once they are connected, just take them out of the box and put them in your ears. The sensor will know that you’re wearing them and will resume your last play.

• 1x press = play/pause
• 2x press = next track
• 3x press = previous track
• long press = Siri or Noise Cancelling/Transparency mode, depending on how you configured your buttons

Moreover, Apple finally gave the AirPods Pro 2 direct volume control, something that was stupidly missing in the previous model. Just swipe the tail up/down, and the volume will change accordingly. There’s even a little haptic move to confirm, neat!

Everything can be modified straight from the control box on the iPhone. No special application, or operation, just a clean, perfect integration. And, to make things better, if one of your friends also has a pair of AirPods, you can share your music, or your movie, wirelessly.

It’s so easy that every time you’ll have to use another set of Bluetooth earphones or headphones, you’ll ask yourself “Why do I have to push a few buttons to connect my earphone ?”

 And then you’ll remember that all Android users won’t have access to that seamless experience, because Apple won’t gift them that.

Last but not least, Bluetooth connection is absolutely phenomenal. I’ve never ever had any disconnection and even while I walk in my garden, with the iPhone in-home, I kept on receiving my call/music uninterrupted. Amazing!

Comfort

The AirPods Pro 2 remains a mystery to me. They look like they won’t fit anywhere in my body, but once you’ve inserted them in your ears, they basically feel like one of the comfiest in-ears you could get.

It’s so strange to hold them, look at them, and have the proper sealing in your ears… Sorcery! It’s even one of the few TWS out there that I would be confident keeping on while I sleep, as they don’t feel intrusive even with your head tilted.

To be fair, I wanted the AirPods Pro not to fit… but I couldn’t prove Apple wrong! They even give you a test to check if the fit is right, or not, within the iPhone. It takes a few seconds, relies on the internal mic, and… voila!

In short: the AirPods Pro are the Birkenstock of TWS. They look horrendously uncomfortable but once you wear them, you can’t live without.

Battery life

Apple claims improved numbers with this second generation. Up to 6 hours of continuous listening on a single charge and 30 hours with the case. What’s even bolder is the fact that AirPods Pro 2 should be able to provide you with one full hour of music, with just a 5-minute charge.

And if I could match the first number, with a full afternoon of listening at moderate volume (around 40-50) with noise-cancelling on, the charging case was definitely underwhelming. I’m not sure if it’s a software, or hardware issue, but contrary to the first generation, the new AirPods Pro 2 case continuously suffered from battery drain. Where I could leave the previous models for weeks, and pick them up ready to use, the new version collapsed in less than two days… 

Wireless charge is still available, and you can swiftly charge it whenever you come across any Qi charger, which can be found everywhere in my office. It’s also compatible with MagSafe chargers and, finally, with the Apple Watch charger.

Regarding the 5-minute charge, it’s also true and, unlike what I said in my previous review, the battery won’t die after two years: my first gen AirPods Pro is still rocking up to this day, and make my companion commute much easier.

It’s still a button battery though, like the one you have in your remote controller, so if you need to change them one day, your only luck will be to reach your local Apple Store.

Isolation

Ok, now we are getting to the good part.

Apple announced super-magical-hyper-tech noise-cancelling performances for its AirPods Pro 2. One that can match the Bose headphones, while keeping the IEM form factor.

And if the first gen was already very very good, the second-gen is simply… astounding. If Bose offers slightly better noise-cancelling with its own TWS, the AirPods Pro 2 aren’t there yet. Long story short, it’s the best noise-cancellation system you could get in this price range, by (very) far.

Apart from the Bose, it outmatched all and every IEM/TWS I own and even some CIEM. It’s so good, yet so natural, that it kind of feels like you’re stuck in a glitch sometimes – big fan personally. If you commute a lot, subway/train/plane/street/open space, the AirPods Pro 2 will create one of the best experiences you can get. Even for a simple walk, I ended up activating the noise-cancelling to get to my own comfort zone.

Compared to my usual CIEM, it’s a very different experience. The Unique Melody gives more consistent isolation, be it lows and highs, whereas the AirPods work better on low frequencies. Overall, the highs can pierce the noise-block shield as the CPU can’t match those speeds.

And, if noise cancellation isn’t your thing, sound transparency is still on the party. A good option if you dislike the close sensation of in-ears, or simply want to be aware of your surroundings. It’s now equally good to the one found on the AirPods Max, which means best of the industry.

Combined with the good comfort, I have to say these AirPods are one of the best surprises of this year.

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