As the end of Q4 inches closer, Apple is releasing an update to one of its most popular products – the AirPods. As with most Apple products, if it’s going to get a price bump, it better comes with the “Pro” label. Most influencers have already received their review unit and done a fair amount of commentary on it. Our job here today is to watch through these long, monetized Youtube videos (so you don’t have to) and break down what set the AirPods Pro apart from the first-gen AirPods.
Quick Notes
1. In-Ear Form Factor
The biggest physical change that you will pick up immediately is the wearing ergonomics. Instead of the classic earbuds form factor, AirPods Pro now adopts a more popular in-ear form factor. Three sizes of ear tips are included. Apple stated on the website that the ear tips “click” into place. This means that you don’t have to struggle to wiggle the silicone ear tips on the nozzle, like what happens for most IEMs.
5. Shorter but wider charging case
The AirPods Pro’s charging case is shorter but wider than the first-gen AirPods. I know, mind-blowing fact. But every bit counts when you want to justify that price tag. The AirPods Pro checks the seal of the ear tips by using the internal mic. It will play some music and give you the result of the seal. If the seal is not great, you can change to the other ear tips provided.
4. Active Noise Cancellation
The next most prominent feature upgrade that the AirPods Pro has is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). ANC is a noise reduction technique invented by Bose. ANC uses a mic to actively listen for external noise coming into the ear. It will then play a frequency into the ear to attenuate the external noise, therefore “canceling” it.
Black Grille
On the side of the AirPods Pro, you will find a new black grille. I’m guessing this design encompasses the mic that is needed to make the ANC work..
Three ANC Modes
The AirPods Pro’s ANC comes with 3 modes: The “Transparency” mode works like the Samsung Galaxy Buds’s ambient mode where you can adjust the level of ambient sound you let into the ear.
6. Position of the Capacitive Touch Control
The touch control is now brought downwards onto the stem area. I guess this design choice is made to accommodate the black grill found on the original spot of the controls.
7. IPX4 Certified
Finally, the AirPods gets a certified water-resistant IPX rating. Of course, that didn’t stop people from exercising with the first-gen AirPods. Remember that the water-resistant is not waterproof. You still cannot go swimming in it.
Conclusion
Alright, that’s a wrap. So what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
