AirPods Pro: Recently Launched! New H2 Chip and Better Battery Life

Apple in September 2022 refreshed the AirPods Pro, introducing a second-generation model for the earbuds that originally launched in 2019.

The AirPods Pro 2 are similar in design to the original AirPods Pro, featuring a rounded design with silicone ear tips and a short stem that harken back to the first AirPods. As with all AirPods, the AirPods Pro come only in white, with no other color options available.

Apple added an updated H2 chip that enables new capabilities, including Active Noise Cancellation that’s twice as good. Noise-cancelling microphones and a rear vent detect sound coming in, countering it before it reaches the ear. Apple says the second-generation AirPods Pro reduce noise by sampling incoming sound at 48,000 times per second.

Transparency mode has been updated with an Adaptive Transparency feature that is designed to reduce loud environmental noise without blocking out all sound. It can cut down on the sound of a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, loud speakers at a concert, and more. This is done using on-device processing enabled by the H2 chip.

Along with an H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 2 are equipped with a low-distortion audio driver and a custom amplifier, which Apple says bring richer bass and crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies.

For a more customized fit, AirPods Pro now have silicone ear tips in XS, S, M, and L sizes, with XS available as the new size option.

Personalized Spatial Audio is available for an optimized, immersive surround sound experience with dynamic head tracking, and Adaptive EQ customizes the sound so you hear songs as they were intended based on how the AirPods Pro fit in your ears.

The AirPods Pro 2 stems now include Touch control, adding physical media playback and volume adjustment options that can be accessed right on the earbuds. A swipe up or down on the AirPods Pro touch sensor enables volume adjustments, and a press can change the music or answer phone calls, plus “Hey Siri” support is included.

AirPods Pro features like seamless switching between devices signed into the same iCloud account, quick one-tap setup, and audio sharing are all supported.

Battery life is improved and the AirPods Pro 2 last for up to six hours on a single charge when Active Noise Cancellation is turned on. The included charging case provides a total of 30 hours of listening time, six hours more than the prior-generation model.

The AirPods Pro 2 MagSafe Charging Case can be charged using Qi, MagSafe, or the Apple Watch charging puck, a new feature. The case is IPX4 sweat and water resistant and it is now equipped with a lanyard loop so you can add an optional lanyard.

There’s also a built-in speaker in the case so you can find your AirPods Pro charging case with Find My should it become lost, and with Precision Finding that uses the new U1 chip, the Find My app can direct you right to your lost AirPods Pro case.

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