Released in September 2022, the second-generation AirPods Pro are still relatively new in Apple's product lineup and the company does not release new AirPods models often.
Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation)—aka AirPods Pro 2—add new features, a boost in battery life, and a full makeover for active noise canceling and transparency mode. While the design is nearly identical, under the surface, Apple's got a whole new bag.
AirPods Pro 2: Release date
The AirPods Pro 2 will be available for purchase online on Sept. 9, 2022. In-store availability will begin Sept, 23, 2022. It has been three years since Apple released a new in-ear headphone model, with the latest being the drop of the AirPods Pro in 2019.
Relatively speaking, the AirPods (3rd generation) makes treble notes sound about twice as loud as they do through the second-gen AirPods. Meanwhile, the AirPods (2nd gen) boosts upper-bass notes (100Hz) to make them sound almost two times louder than the third-gen AirPods.
If you need to save for a bit longer, trust me – it'll be worth it. In fact, the second generation AirPods Pro are so good, that there's only one thing I want from the next version – and, yes, it's USB-C charging, please!
This shouldn't come as much surprise, but if you've got the option of getting one or the other, it's pretty obvious that the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is the better buy. It's the same price as its predecessor, it has slightly better battery life, and better noise canceling.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: How to choose
The AirPods Pro 2 are for those who want active noise cancellation, better audio and a more customizable fit. You'll also get some other perks, like the ability to track them down more easily should they get lost, thanks to the U1 chip.
How Long Do AirPods Last: Their Average Lifespan. AirPods typically last about 2-3 years before most users feel the need to replace them. This short lifespan is because of their lithium-ion batteries. AirPods have proven tough in several durability tests and have shown that they can withstand pressure.
With an in-ear design, AirPods Pro (gen 1 and 2) can become dirty more quickly than AirPods. But cleaning them is easy enough when you know what to avoid and what materials/tools are best.
Your AirPods Pro (2nd generation) can get up to 6 hours of listening time (up to 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled)3 or up to 4.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
They Sometimes Fall Out
When the main question is, “Can you run with Airpods,” the answer is there's no absolute guarantee that they won't fall out during your run. Most people do find they fall out less frequently than other wireless headphones, but when your ears get sweaty, they get slippery.
The 2022 AirPods Pro retail for $249 but you don't have to pay full price with these AirPods deals.
Your AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), AirPods (3rd generation), MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), Lightning Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), and MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are water and sweat resistant, but they are not waterproof or sweatproof.
Yes, the AirPods 3 are cheaper on paper but remember the Pro 2 do bring active noise-cancellation (ANC) and a different design and chipset to the party.
The AirPods Pro can't quite match the best-in-class true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds for sound quality, but the user experience (especially if you're an iOS user) and unprecedented levels of comfort still make them a very strong option in the category.
While cases designed for the original AirPods Pro case fit the AirPods Pro 2 just fine, a case specifically designed for the AirPods Pro 2 will have cutouts for the speaker port and lanyard loop. If you want a waterproof case for your AirPods 2 (or AirPods Pro), those tend to cover all the ports.
Find your AirPods nearby
If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you can find the precise location of each of your AirPods and the charging case. Open the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad that you previously paired with your AirPods. Tap Devices, tap the name of your AirPods, then tap Find.
It's a comfortable, airy effect, too, and does a great job of letting you enjoy your music without much distraction from the world around you. Compared with the original AirPods Pro, which we've had with us throughout our testing, the improvement to noise-cancelling with the 2nd generation model is dramatic.
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro come in glossy white, plastic, rectangular charging cases with rounded corners. They do not differ in size; the new AirPods Pro 2's case is not smaller. But to be fair, both AirPods Pro models' cases are perfectly pocketable, easy to fit inside and forget about.
A liquid ingress protection rating of 4 means that the AirPods Pro 2 can withstand splashes of water from all directions for up to 10 minutes. The AirPods Pro 2 cannot, however, withstand being submerged in water, so you can't take them for a swim.
With Active Noise Cancellation, an outward-facing microphone or microphones detect external sounds, which your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation) or AirPods Max then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external sounds before you hear them.