Apple took advantage of the presentation of the iPhone 14 to also announce the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), the new most complete totally wireless Bluetooth headphones in the company’s catalog. Apart from a notable price difference compared to the other models (which has risen compared to the first generation), it has quite a few differences compared to the AirPods 3, so we put them face to face to know their characteristics, differences and prices.
Features AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3
specs | AirPods Pro (2nd generation) |
AirPods (3rd generation) |
---|---|---|
Dimensions and weight |
Headphones: 3.09 cm high x 2.18 cm wide, 2.4 cm thick and 5.3 grams in weight | Case: 4.52 cm high x 6.06 cm wide x 2.17 cm thick and 50.8 grams in weight |
Headphones: 3.08 cm high x 1.83 cm wide x 1.93 cm thick and 4.28 grams in weight | Case: 4.64 cm high x 5.44 cm wide x 2.14 cm thick and 37.91 grams in weight |
sound technology |
Apple custom high-excursion transducer, custom high dynamic range amplifier, active noise cancellation, adaptive ambient sound mode, slot system pressure compensation, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and adaptive equalization |
Apple custom high-excursion transducer, custom high dynamic range amplifier, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and adaptive equalization |
sensors |
Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin sensor, motion-sensing accelerometer, voice-sensing accelerometer, and touch control |
Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin sensor, motion-sensing accelerometer, voice-sensing accelerometer, and pressure sensor |
Chip |
Apple’s H2 chip for headphones and U1 chip in the MagSafe charging case |
H1 chip for headphones |
controls |
Press once to play audio, pause audio, or answer a call; press twice to go to the next song; press three times to go back to the previous song; press and hold to switch between active noise cancellation and adaptive ambient sound mode; swipe up or down to adjust the volume, and say “Hey Siri” to listen to a song, make a call, get directions, and more |
Press once to play audio, pause audio, or answer a call; press twice to go to the next song; press three times to go back to the previous song; press and hold to activate Siri, and say “Hey Siri” to listen to a song, make a call, get directions and more |
Sweat and water resistance |
IPX4 (earphones and case) |
IPX4 (earphones and case) |
charging case |
Compatible with MagSafe charger, Apple Watch, Qi certified and Lightning charging |
Charge by Lightning and charge by MagSafe, Qi or Lightning in the model with MagSafe charging case |
Autonomy |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge (up to 5.5 hours if spatial audio is on), or up to 4.5 hours of talk time | With case you get up to 30 hours of audio playback or up to 24 hours of talk time. Five minutes of charging equals one hour of playback or talk |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge (up to five hours with custom spatial audio on), or up to 4 hours of talk time on a single charge | With case you get up to 30 hours of audio playback or up to 20 hours of talk time. Five minutes in the case equals one hour of play or talk |
connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Compatibility |
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS, Mac models with the latest version of macOS, and Apple TV models with the latest version of macOS. latest version of tvOS |
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS, Mac models with the latest version of macOS, and Apple TV models with the latest version of macOS. latest version of tvOS |
Price |
€299 |
From 209 euros |
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (2021)
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
- Design: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation) have a very similar design. The main difference is that the Pros have silicone pads, an essential element for the active noise cancellation function to provide optimal results. “Normal” AirPods lack this feature, and Apple has decided not to equip them with tips, making their fit more universal. The cases are also very similar at first glance, but that of the Pro integrates speaker in the lower part, as well as a strap hook On the side.
- sound technology: the active noise cancellation It is a function highly sought after by users in this type of headphones, and only the AirPods Pro have it, as well as the ambient sound mode. This is related to the fact that the AirPods Pro have a design with pads and the third generation do not.
- controls: One of the most useful new features of AirPods Pro (3rd generation) is that they allow adjust the volume by sliding your finger over the headphones. In this way, users do not have to interact with the iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watch to upload or download it.
- charging case: Apple took advantage of the September event to launch a new version of the AirPods (3rd generation) with only Lightning charging and another with Lightning plus MagSafe charging (something strange considering that these headphones came out in 2021 and integrated both technologies), and incidentally raise the price. The AirPods Pro case has Lightning and MagSafe, there are no two different models. The AirPods Pro case also has the Search function and integrated speaker to be able to locate them in case of loss.
- Autonomy: Both AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation) have a similar autonomy, about six hours per charge. This is a notable increase from the first version of the AirPods Pro, as they have gained an hour more battery life.
- connectivity: While the AirPods 3 have Bluetooth 5.0, the AirPods Pro 2 have Bluetooth 5.3, just like the iPhone 14. Among the novelties of this version would be the improved audio quality and longer battery life, as well as multi-stream audio. However, the company does not specify the improvements or new functions that this version incorporates.
- Price: Like other Apple products, these two wireless Bluetooth headphones they have gone up in price. The 3rd generation AirPods start at 209 euros (219 euros for the MagSafe charging case, originally 199 euros) and the AirPods Pro have an RRP of 299 euros (279 euros the first version.
AirPods 3 VS AirPods Pro 2, which ones to buy?
The new generation of AirPods Pro brings interesting news: Bluetooth 5.3, integrated volume controls, MagSafe charging case with speakerphone and Find function to locate it faster in case of loss, and more battery. In addition to active noise cancellation, already present in the first generation and which is the main difference from the rest of AirPods without cables.
The price gap between the models, although noticeable, can be understood. What many users will wonder is if spending 300 euros on the second generation AirPods Pro is justified.. And that many stores still offer the first generation close to 200 euros can make it difficult for them.
If you want AirPods with active noise cancellation, you have no choice but to opt for the Pro model, but given the downward trend in price suffered by new Apple devices a few weeks after their launch, it would not hurt wait for an offer to buy them cheaper. Or opt for Beats Studio Buds type headphones (119 euros), which, although they do not have an H1 chip, communicate very well with the products of the bitten apple.
On the contrary, if you don’t need active noise cancellationwith the third generation AirPods we will save a good pinch and can be found for less than 200 euros with a MagSafe charging case in some stores.
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (2021)
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)