Latest news with #AirPodsPro2
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) review: why I still use these superb wireless in-ear headphones
What are the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)? Apple first announced its AirPods headphones in 2016, and they have since been instrumental in the design and development of wireless earbuds ever since. Back then, they launched with a divisive design, with the buds sitting in your ears and short stems dropping down beside them into your cheeks, but this is something that is much more commonplace in wireless in-ear headphones these days. Four generations of the regular AirPods headphones have launched since their humble beginnings, with the latest being the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, both of which were announced in 2024. The first generation of the more expensive AirPods Pro earbuds, meanwhile, launched in 2019, adding silicone ear tips and noise cancellation to the familiar design. The second generation of AirPods Pro then followed in 2022, charged via Apple's proprietary Lightning port, before this connection was replaced with the much more widely used USB-C charging a year later in 2023. It's this model I am testing for this review, specifically the earbuds I've been using daily for the last two years. However, are they still the in-ear Apple headphones to buy in 2025? JUMP TO: How we test headphones I have been reviewing consumer technology for over 12 years, testing everything from the best wireless earbuds and best headphones to the best smartphones and best tablets. For the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) specifically, I have used these headphones every single day for the last three years, first in their Lightning form and more recently in their USB-C form. I have also tested them alongside Apple's other AirPods options, as well as against leading noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and others. When I test headphones, I consider five testing metrics: design and comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation and EQ, battery and charging and connectivity. I have used the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for every phone call, every commute and every plane journey since they launched, so I have tested their comfort, sound performance, battery life and active noise cancellation capabilities extensively. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our tech experts continuously conduct in-depth, independent, real-world tests, scoring devices against pre-set testing metrics and industry benchmarks, so we can deliver definitive and comprehensive buying advice. Telegraph Recommended reviews are never shared with product manufacturers before publication, we don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Design and comfort Score: 9/10 There are few in-ear wireless headphones as distinctive as Apple's AirPods. The original AirPods had longer stems than the AirPods Pro models, and their white glossy finish did somewhat resemble a toothbrush head that you might pop on your Oral-B electric toothbrush. The shorter stems of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and latest AirPods 4 have allowed them to move slightly away from that comparison, though they are still only available in glossy white, which is a missed opportunity. The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) come with four silicone tip size options in the box, and I find they fit very well (I use the medium tips) and are exceptionally comfortable. I wear these headphones daily, including on the way home from the school run, during my weekly Sainsbury's shop and commuting around London. Once they are in, I barely notice them. There's a responsive touch sensor on the stem of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) that allows for various on-device controls. Sliding your finger up and down will adjust volume (this takes a bit of getting used to), while a single press will play or pause audio, or answer or end a call. A double press will skip to the next track and a triple press will go back to the previous song. You can also mute yourself on a call by pressing and holding the sensor. IP54 ingress protection rating means they can withstand splashes and light rain, but shouldn't be submerged or exposed to constant water streams. Sound quality Score: 9/10 The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) aren't just comfortable to wear; they offer excellent sound quality, which isn't something that could be said for the original AirPods models. AirPods have always been exceptionally convenient earbuds for Apple users, but they haven't always sounded as good as they do now, especially not in the case of the AirPods Pro 2. Each of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) earbuds benefits from all sorts of high-end technology, including a low-distortion, high-excursion audio driver, transducer and high dynamic range amplifier, combined with what Apple calls a H2 audio chip. That's a lot to take in, but basically, all of these features combined help to deliver exceptional sound. There is a lovely amount of clarity and a great range that results in an engaging and entertaining listen, whatever your musical tastes. I have listened to a range of genres over the last two years of wearing these, and while there is more detail and clarity from the Sony XM5 headphones and better audio balance from the Bose QC Earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) still do a superb job across the board – and they're cheaper, too. Call quality is also excellent, which isn't the case for all wireless headphones. I've made and received hours of calls on the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) over the last couple of years, and while they can sometimes take a few seconds to calibrate when you take a call, once fully connected, your voice and the voice of the person you are talking to is crystal clear. Noise cancellation, EQ and features Score: 9/10 Score: 9/10 The Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) silicone ear tips provide a decent seal even without active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on, so you can just wear these to drown out a plane engine while you're sleeping, for example, or minimise the hustle and bustle of the London Underground. Switch on the ANC mode, however, and you'll barely hear a thing. It's rather brilliant. There's also a Transparency mode, which is best used if you want to hear what is happening around you (such as colleague chatter) while filtering out some of the unnecessary noise (like the office air con). Adaptive Audio, meanwhile, is a blend of both modes. You can switch between these modes either on the earbuds themselves or through the settings on your iPhone. There's no dedicated smartphone app like you'll find with Sony and Bose headphones, but control of the ANC modes and audio settings/features are still easy to access for Apple users. Speaking of features, there are plenty on board the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for those with Apple devices – less so if you are using these earbuds with Android. Ear detection means audio will play or pause when you put the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) in or take them out of your ears, while Conversation Awareness mode is a particular favourite of mine, recognising when you're speaking to someone and lowering audio until you stop chatting. I'd rather it paused, especially when listening to podcasts or audiobooks, but it still works very well. Announce Notifications and Announce Calls are also useful, with Apple's Siri assistant telling you who is calling or reading out notifications when you have the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) in your ears, while automatic switching between Apple devices, such as your iPhone and MacBook, makes for a seamless overall experience. Battery life and charging Score: 9/10 The Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) offers six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and you get a total of 30 hours with the charging case. This is around six hours more than the first generation of AirPods Pro, and it is comparable to competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5s, which allow for eight hours from the buds themselves and 24 hours in total. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 offers seven hours from the buds and 28 hours in total. If you're a talker, the talk time is 4.5 hours on a single charge, but I've always found that to be more than sufficient and I usually find myself charging the AirPods Pro 2 once a week just to keep them topped up and ensure I don't run out of battery on a commute. Charging via USB-C is quick and just five minutes in the case will give you around an hour of listening and talk time from the earbuds, which is handy if you forget to charge them fully. Connectivity Score: 8/10 Like other AirPods models, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) support two audio codecs: the Subband Codec (SBC) and Apple's Advanced Audio Codec (AAC), and this is basically how the earbuds stream high-quality audio from your iPhone, iPad or Mac. If your non-Apple device, however, such as an Android phone or Windows laptop, uses its own audio codecs like aptX or LDAC, then these won't be supported on the AirPods Pro 2. As such, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) play much better with Apple devices and those already invested in the Apple ecosystem. You not only get a simple one-tap setup with iPhone and iPad, but there are additional useful features, such as being able to use the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) as a hearing test and hearing aid, both of which require an iPhone. Technical specifications The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are positioned at the top of Apple's in-ear headphone portfolio, though the AirPods 4 also have active noise cancellation and they are slightly cheaper. The AirPods 4 don't have an adjustable fit with silicone tips like the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and they lack some of the Pro's features, but you can see how they compare on paper below: Should you buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)? Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are a fantastic pair of in-ear wireless headphones for Apple users. They deliver excellent sound quality, brilliant noise cancellation and a collection of features, such as acting as a hearing aid to automatically reducing the audio volume when a conversation is detected. Setup for Apple devices is incredibly simple and they are easy to use as well, with everything from automatic switching between Apple devices to automatic ear detection. I'd love to see them offered in colours other than white and they aren't the best in-ears for Android users, but if you already own an Apple device, whether iPhone, iPad or Mac, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are a fantastic complement. Yes, if: You want clear and detailed sound You want great noise cancellation You want smooth connectivity with Apple devices No, if: You don't own any other Apple devices You have the AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) You are looking for some colour from your headphones Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) FAQs What is the battery life of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)? The Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) offer up to six hours of battery life with ANC on, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time. They have a total of 30 hours, including the charging case. How do you reset Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)? To reset AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C), put them in the charging case, close the lid and wait for 30 seconds. Be sure to forget them from your device's list of Bluetooth connections, too. You'll then need to open the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) case up and press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The status light should flash amber and then white, after which you can follow the steps to reconnect your AirPods to your device. How good is the active noise cancellation on the Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C)? Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) have excellent noise cancellation. The ear tips create a good seal on their own, but they do a superb job of drowning out noise when the ANC is on, whether that's a plane engine or the hustle and bustle of city streets. How do you connect Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) to iPhone? Open the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)'s charging case with the AirPods inside and hold the case near your iPhone. A setup animation should appear on your iPhone's screen, offering a quick guide for setting them up.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Health
- Business Standard
AirPods Pro 3 could be Apple's next big health, fitness bet: What to expect
Recent research suggests, Apple could rely on acoustic-based sensors to offer heart rate monitoring feature on AirPods Pro 3 AirPods Pro 2 New Delhi Apple has published a new research paper in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, detailing how it is using an in-house artificial intelligence model—CLAP (Contrastive Language-Audio Pretraining)—to estimate heart rate using acoustic data, such as stethoscope recordings. Originally developed for automatic speech recognition, CLAP was retrained by Apple using publicly available phonocardiogram (PCG) datasets to classify heart-related sounds and output beats-per-minute (BPM) estimates. While Apple has not confirmed any commercial implementation, the technology could be applied to future wearable products, such as AirPods. Apple's earbuds already use in-ear microphones for features like Active Noise Cancellation, and these same mics could theoretically be leveraged to capture acoustic data for heart rate analysis. If brought to market, this would not be Apple's first foray into earbuds with health tracking features. Earlier this year, Apple-owned Beats launched the Powerbeats Pro 2, which includes heart-rate monitoring via optical sensors, similar to those found in smartwatches. However, if Apple integrates heart-rate tracking into its AirPods line-up, it could potentially rely on acoustic-based sensing instead of optical components. Apple's AirPods Pro are due for an upgrade, and heart-rate sensing may be just one of several new features. A Bloomberg report previously revealed that Apple is also working on integrating cameras into a future AirPods Pro model. These cameras could enable Apple's AI-driven Visual Intelligence system, designed to provide real-time assistance based on physical surroundings. Such technology could also offer accessibility benefits for visually impaired users—providing real-time navigation, object recognition, or contextual guidance. The current AirPods Pro 2 already offers several hearing health features. These include a software-based Hearing Aid function that supports users with mild to moderate hearing loss. This feature begins with a pure-tone audiometry-based Hearing Test to assess the user's hearing profile. It then adjusts audio playback in real time, enhancing voices, music, and calls based on the user's needs.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Apple AirPods Pro 2 hit lowest price since Black Friday at five different retailers
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are currently on offer at a number of top shops. Owners of Apple devices who are considering enhancing their music and streaming experiences can currently bag the AirPods Pro 2 at a significantly reduced price. Typically priced at £229, these earphones have been slashed to their lowest price since Black Friday at five major retailers. Argos, Currys, Amazon, EE, and Very have all knocked £40 off the sought-after device, bringing the price down to £189. This 17 per cent saving makes it an ideal time to purchase the AirPods, especially as they remain full price on the official Apple website. The AirPods Pro 2 come with an in-built Active Noise Cancellation feature, making them handy for use when communicating, exercising or on the move. Additionally, their 'Adaptive Audio' feature ensures the right balance of noise control in any setting. They also boast a 'Transparency mode' allowing users to be aware of their surroundings, and a 'Conversation Awareness' tool that automatically reduces the volume when conversing with someone nearby. The case is sweat and water-resistant too. The AirPods also provide clinical-grade support for 'perceived mild to moderate hearing loss', reports the Mirror. Apple AirPods Pro 2 £229 £189 Argos BUY NOW Product Description Alternatively, Samsung owners can opt for a pair of Galaxy Buds3s for £159, which have been re-engineered at an angle to bring sound closer to the user's ears, These offer a six-hour playtime and are also water-resistant. There's a small blade-shaped feature on the side of each bud for easy volume adjustment. Elsewhere, Bose offers its own wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, priced at £179.95 and available in black, purple, beige, and teal colours. Key features include noise-cancellation, water resistance, and finger-tip control. The AirPods Pro 2 from Apple are an unsurprisingly popular choice, and they have racked up over 15,000 reviews on Amazon, where they boast an impressive 4.6-star rating. One five-star reviewer said: "Just bought my first set of these pods, all I can say is they are brilliant, well worth the money. I would highly recommend them." A second shopper raved that the AirPods Pro 2 'knock the socks off' previous AirPod generations, saying: "I use these a lot. The noise cancelling is brilliant, as is the quality of the sound. "I stopped using my Bose headphones. It really is a step up from the older AirPods. Took me by surprise compared to the other ones." However, another buyer, though impressed, mentioned connectivity issues with non-Apple devices. They said: "I use an iPhone and iPad, but also a Windows laptop and an Android phone. "With the latter two devices, the AirPods don't work consistently. Sometimes the sound quality is poor, sometimes the microphone doesn't work. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "You need to rely on a third-party app to see the battery, etc. So if you're not fully into the Apple ecosystem, it's best to choose another option." But another satisfied customer said: "Brilliant. I thought the original AirPod Pros were good, but these provide much better noise cancellation. "The hearing aid functionality works well, too. I have some hearing loss, and while I wouldn't want these as a replacement for proper hearing aids. They work well as a temporary substitute and are ideal for (e.g) watching television with a partner who doesn't want the sound turned up loud."
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Tech review: Powerbeats Pro 2 are ready for your sweaty workout
I've turned into one of those people who wear earbuds all day at work. We don't have traditional phones at my office. We use Microsoft Teams as our voice phones, so when the phone rings, I usually answer it on my computer. And because I work with three other people in one big room, we all use headphones. I have been wearing Apple's AirPods Pro 2, paired to my Dell laptop. I love the AirPods, but sometimes they don't stay in my ears very well. A few months ago, I started reading about Beats by Dre's Powerbeats Pro 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds, which reminds me a lot of the AirPods Pro 2, but they have an over-the-ear loop to keep them in place. Most of you probably know Apple owns Beats. This means Beats headphones and earbuds have the latest Apple technology inside that facilitates automatic pairing with Apple devices as well as cool sound features like noise cancellation, adaptive EQ and spatial audio. What's new? The original Powerbeats Pro were released in 2019, so Beats has had plenty of time to plan and produce the new version to make it better - and I think they did. The Powerbeats Pro 2 uses Apple's H2 chip for improved audio quality, one-touch pairing, automatic device switching, audio sharing and sound management with active noise canceling and transparency mode, which brings in some sounds from outside so you can hear your surroundings. One of the biggest additions is heart rate monitoring. There are sensors on each bud that can accurately monitor your heart rate and send it to the Apple Health app and other compatible apps on your iPhone or Android phone. It works automatically with apps like Nike Run Club, Runna, Peloton and a few others. They are built with an ear loop to keep them firmly in your ear. Beats says they conducted more than 1,500 hours of testing with more than 1,000 athletes to come up with the design that produces what they call their "best fitting headphones - ever." You can customize the fit with four sets of silicone ear tips so you can tailor the tip to fit snuggly in your ear canal, because the sound quality and noise cancellation depends on how well the tips seal in your ears. The ear hook is made from a nickel-titanium alloy that is very light and flexible but still keeps its shape. The buds are 20 percent lighter than the previous version and they are very comfortable and stay in place wonderfully when you get the fit just right. The buds are sweat and water resistant, but not for water sports (no swimming). Each bud has a 10-hour battery life, and the battery in the case can charge them up four times for a total of up to 45 hours of playback. USB-C charging is fast. Five minutes of charging will net you 90 minutes of listening. Because of the ear hook design, the case is rather large at 3 inches by 2.6 inches by 1.3 inches. It fits in my front pocket, but because of the size, I tend to put the buds on in the morning and leave the case on my desk. Speaking of charging, the case charges with USB-C or it can sit on a Qi-compatible wireless charger. The case also shows up in the Find My app on your iPhone, so maybe you won't lose them. There are physical buttons on each bud. There's a rocker button for volume up and down and a button behind the B logo you can use to play/pause music as well as answer and hang up calls. I prefer the physical buttons, as they are easier to tell when you press them. How do they sound? Like most other earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro 2 sound quality will depend on how well they seal in your ear and how well they stay in place. When you bring them home, take your time and try the different ear tips to see which ones seal the best in your ear canal. I still think the AirPods Pro 2 sound a bit better, but the Beats are designed for your workout, and they are much better at staying in place when you're on the move. I do think the noise canceling does a good job of keeping out the mundane noise like traffic or office background noise. I now own both the AirPods Pro 2 and Powerbeats Pro 2 and the Beats get the most use. Pricing The Powerbeats Pro 2 cost $249.99 and they are available in Jet Black, Quicksand, Hyper Purple and Electric Orange. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off You can snap up Apple AirPods in a great deal on Amazon You can enjoy a discount on these AirPods (Image: Amazon ) A good pair of earbuds are essential for those on the move everyday or if you need to listen to your favourite podcast in peace. One of the best and highest rated earbuds have been slashed in price on Amazon. The Apple AirPods pro 2 wireless earbuds are now nearly 20% off. In a great price drop of 17% the AirPods are now £189 on Amazon. The earbuds have noise cancellation and the low-distortion, custom-built driver delivers crisp, clear high notes and full, rich bass in stunning definition. The earbuds come with four pairs of silicone tips in extra small, small, medium and large. This means they can fit a wide range of ear shapes and provide all-day comfort. TECH REVIEW: Tech review: Homedics MYTI Massage Gun is the perfect tool to tackle my football aches and pain RARE DEALS: Rare deal stack drops 50% off Yeti tumbler making it £35 cheaper than Stanley rival If you don't fancy AirPods Currys are selling the Sony wf-1000xm5 wireless bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds for £199. The tips create an acoustic seal to help keep out noise and secure the AirPods in place. Both the AirPods and the charging case are dust, sweat, and water-resistant, so you can listen comfortably in more conditions. Shoppers love these earbuds, one said: "I absolutely love my Apple AirPods Pro 2! These are by far the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. The sound quality is incredible crisp highs, deep lows, and overall a rich, high-fidelity experience." The AirPods have great reviews (Image: Amazon ) For a different option, Argos is selling the Samsung galaxy buds3 pro true wireless earbuds for £219. Another lover of the AirPods, said: "I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 for a few weeks now, and I'm blown away by the improvements Apple has made. As a long-time AirPods fan, I was excited to see what the new Pro 2 model had to offer, and I can confidently say that it's a game-changer." A third said: "If you want excellent sound quality, superior noise cancellation, and deep Apple ecosystem integration, the AirPods Pro 2 are a top choice." And: "The AirPods Pro 2 revolutionize the audio listening on iPhone. Connecting them is easy—pop open the case and they connect automatically. The H2 chip brings active noise cancellation that is just exceptional, blocking out everything from train sounds to office whispers." Another choice is the Beats powerbeats pro 2 true wireless bluetooth in-ear sport headphones from John Lewis for £249. Article continues below One person was not happy with the AirPods, they said: "Unable to accept a return and parcel was damaged and opened with missing parts."
