After the success of the first and second generation AirPods, Apple has decided to expand its catalog of wireless headphones with the launch of the AirPods Pro, full of innovative technologies such as active noise cancellation, higher quality sound and liquid resistance.
However, the new AirPods Pro do not arrive to replace the second generation AirPods presented at the beginning of 2019. The idea of the manufacturer, in fact, is increase the range of options available and make available to customers a more advanced type of headset that meets the needs of the most demanding users. This is the new catalog:
| 249 dollars / 279 euros / 5,499 pesos | 199 dollars / 229 euros / 4,499 pesos | 159 dollars / 179 euros / 3,599 pesos |
| Custom fit | Universal fit | Universal fit |
| Active noise cancellation | – | – |
| Adaptive Sound Equalization | – | – |
| H1 chip | H1 chip | H1 chip |
| "Hey Siri" always active | "Hey Siri" always active | "Hey Siri" always active |
| Sweat and water resistant | – | – |
| Up to 4.5 hours of audio playback with active noise cancellation | Up to 5 hours of audio playback | Up to 5 hours of audio playback |
| More than 24 hours of audio playback with the charging case | More than 24 hours of audio playback with the charging case | More than 24 hours of audio playback with the charging case |
| Wireless Charging Case | Wireless Charging Case | Standard Charging Case |
Design and size
The new AirPods Pro have a different design from the previous generation. They are not so tall, have a somewhat wider body and weigh a little more (1.4 grams more, to be exact). In addition, they have silicone molds that allow to seal the auditory pavilion and reduce the level of noise that enters the inside of the ear and a series of openings that automatically regulate the pressure inside the ear to reduce the fatigue usually generated by the headphones of type in-ear.
The second generation AirPods, on the other hand, They are somewhat more slender and opt for a much simpler button design, which is characterized by its comfort but not by the level of isolation. The box in which it is stored, moreover, is more compact than that of the AirPods Pro, which grows in width with respect to the second generation.
The change in design and the larger size of the box responds, mainly, to two reasons: the active noise cancellation system and the new internal components They improve the sound, among other things. To eliminate external sounds, it is essential to isolate the auditory pavilion, something that, in this type of headphones, can only be achieved through intra-aural silicone molds. Apple, in addition, has had to alter the internal structure of the headset to house new sound components, more advanced microphones, processors and pressure regulation grilles, among other components. That is the reason why AirPods Pro do not follow the same mold as other models.
Active noise cancellation, transparency mode and better sound
The noise cancellation system requires proper isolation of the auditory pavilion, but that is only one of the two axes involved in the system. The other part is related to microphones and processing algorithms, which cancel out the remaining noise.
In the AirPods Pro, the operation of this technology is relatively complex, although it can be summarized in two steps:
- First, an external microphone picks up the surrounding noise, the algorithm processes it and transmits to our ear an equivalent signal but of opposite amplitude. In this way, the noise is canceled and our tympanum only perceives the sound of the music.
- Secondly, a microphone inside the headset picks up the already processed signal which enters our auditory pavilion, analyzes it and cancels the smaller scale noises that the first microphone could not completely eliminate. In this way, the headset can eliminate even the smallest noise.
This process runs about 200 times per second, Apple explains, so you can say that the headset constantly analyzes the exterior and interior audio signals to offer the best possible noise cancellation.
The AirPods Pro, in addition, analyze in the background the geometry of the ear to equalize the sound in the best possible way. It also performs an analysis of the ear automatically and recommends to the user which silicone mold of the three included in the box is the most appropriate for his ear.
Noise cancellation is adjustable, as in other headphones in your category. Apple also has designed a transparency mode that allows you to listen to certain outside sounds and, therefore, be alert of the environment. This is useful to talk to people or listen to the sounds of traffic and avoid possible accidents when traveling on a busy road.
The AirPods Pro analyze in the background the geometry of the ear to equalize the sound in the best possible way and obtain the most successful cancellation.
As far as sound is concerned, Apple has incorporated, in addition to dynamic equalization, a new high excursion controller and a high dynamic range amplifier, both custom designed by the company. These two components should significantly improve the sound quality provided by the headphones.
All these features are not present in the second generation AirPods, lacking active noise cancellation and with a lower quality sound system. I know that they do, with the H1 chip to process the requests to Siri and establish connections with the different devices linked to iCloud, among other things.
Autonomous and loading
The AirPods Pro offer the same autonomy as the second generation AirPods: 5 hours of use and more 24 hours using the recharge and storage case. However, if the noise cancellation is activated, the autonomy of the Pro is reduced by 30 minutes to 4.5 hours.
AirPods Pro can be recharged wirelessly using a Qi charging base, like the second generation AirPods if purchased with this compatible case. In both cases, they can also be connected to a standard outlet through the port lightning.
Pressure sensor, touch controls and water resistance
Another difference between AirPods Pro and second generation AirPods is the gesture control system. While the standard version only recognizes a double press (which can be configured to perform various actions), the Pro recognize up to four different gestures: one touch, two touches, three touches and pressure. The latter allows you to switch between active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
Finally, AirPods Pro have IPX4 certification, so they resist sweat and momentary contact with liquids. The second generation AirPods, according to several tests, also resist momentary contacts with liquids, but neither have express certification nor Apple qualifies them as resistant, so it is not advisable to do so.
Price
The AirPods Pro have a cost of 249 dollars in the United States, while the second generation AirPods are sold for 199 dollars with the wireless charging case and 159 dollars without it. In Spain, prices are 279 euros, 229 euros and 179 euros, respectively. In Mexico, the figures are 5,499 pesos, 4,499 pesos and 3,599 pesos.
