When Apple released the second-gen AirPods Pro in late September, we got a first look and hands-on video, but thought we’d revisit for a more in-depth review after spending some time with the new earbuds.

MacRumors Video editor Dan Barbera spent 10 days using the AirPods Pro 2, and there are notable improvements over the first-gen version. Active noise cancellation is significantly better at eliminating outside noise, and there’s a definite difference in sound quality.

On-device controls are handy for adjusting volume, and while transparency works well, it’s difficult to tell the difference between the old transparency mode and the new adaptive transparency, which is designed to muffle loud noises like sirens.

Battery life is solid and the built-in speaker that plays charging and Find My sounds is a plus, plus being able to use the Apple Watch charger to charge the AirPods is handy. The lanyard loop is just okay and not particularly useful, especially without Apple-designed lanyards, and unfortunately there’s still no option to adjust the EQ.

All in all, if you have been waiting to pick up the “AirPods Pro” now is the time to do so and if you have the original “AirPods Pro” and are having battery life issues or another aspect, the “AirPods Pro” 2 are worth the cost. Dan’s full thoughts are in the video above, so make sure to check it out, then let us know what you think of the AirPods Pro 2 in the comments below.

Popular Stories

EU passes law to transition iPhone to USB-C by the end of 2024

The European Parliament today voted overwhelmingly to enforce USB-C as the common charging port for a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, by the end of 2024. Known as the directive, the proposal will force all consumer electronics manufacturers selling their products in Europe to ensure a wide range of devices have a USB-C connector. This…

10 new iOS 16 features coming later this year

iOS 16 was released three weeks ago with a customizable lock screen, the ability to edit iMessages, focus mode improvements, and more. And in the coming months, iPhone and iPad users can look forward to even more new features. Apple says we’ve rounded up 10 new features coming to iPhone and iPad later this year. Many of the features are part of iOS…

Gurman: Apple event this October remains unlikely, no Touch ID for iPhone 15

Apple is developing new iPad Pro, Mac, and Apple TV models, and at least some of those products will launch in October, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. However, Gurman continues to believe that Apple is unlikely to hold an event this month. In the latest issue of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said: “Last month’s big iPhone 14 reveal made it likely for Apple in 2022 in…

Apple prepares iOS 16.0.3 with more bug fixes after iPhone 14 launch

iOS 16.0.2 was released last month with several fixes for iPhone 14 issues, excessive copy and paste permissions prompts, and more. Now, clues point to Apple planning to release iOS 16.0.3 with additional bug fixes. Hints of an upcoming iOS 16.0.3 software update have surfaced in MacRumors’ analysis logs, which has historically been a reliable indicator. There are a few…

Apple SIM no longer available to activate new mobile data plans on iPads

As of October 1, Apple SIM will no longer be available for activating new cellular data plans on supported iPad models, according to an Apple Support document. Launched in 2014, the Apple SIM was designed to allow iPad users to activate cellular data plans from multiple providers around the world. Originally, the Apple SIM was a physical nano-SIM card, but it was later embedded in the iPad Pro…

Video: AirPods Pro 2 vs Bose QuietComfort II

Apple officially launched the second-generation version of the AirPods Pro on September 23, introducing updated active noise cancellation, adaptive transparency, improved sound and more. Around the same time, Bose introduced new QuietComfort II earbuds with many similar features, so we thought we’d compare the two to see which came out on top. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for…

You may soon need to be a YouTube Premium subscriber to watch 4K videos

According to screenshots posted by users on Twitter and Reddit, YouTube can offer 4K quality video watching on the platform exclusively for YouTube Premium subscribers only. On Reddit (1,2) and Twitter some users have recently noticed that YouTube on iOS and presumably other platforms is now saying that the user has to pay to watch videos in 4K.

Apple executives discuss iPhone 14 Pro’s dynamic island in new interview

In a new interview, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, and Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of human interface design, sat down to discuss the thinking behind the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island and how it was developed . During the interview with the Japanese magazine Axis, Federighi, who oversees the development of iOS, said that Dynamic Island is the…