Latest news with #wirelessearbuds
Phone Arena
2 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Amazon brings the Pixel Buds Pro 2 back to their second-best price
Remember Walmart's exclusive sale on the Pixel Buds Pro 2? Well, it's over, but that doesn't mean you have to wait for another nice promo. In fact, one's already here: Amazon has slashed $40 off the premium wireless earbuds' asking price, bringing them down to their second-best price once again. $40 off (17%) The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are once again available at their second-best price. Right now, you can grab them for $40 off on Amazon across all colorways. While it's not branded as a limited-time sale, this bargain might not last long. Buy at Amazon If you recall, Amazon had the same deal back in April, and the buds were $50 off sometime before that. That $50 price cut, by the way, remains their best discount ever. And while today's $40 off might not seem like much — especially with a regular price of around $230 — it's still a pretty solid what's so good about these puppies to make them a compelling choice? Quite a lot — they feature excellent sound quality that doesn't rattle your head with low-end or pierce your ears with overwhelming highs. Beyond the excellent sound quality, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are exceptionally comfortable to wear. They're super light and cause no ear fatigue whatsoever, even after hours of continuous use. Battery life is another standout here. These Google earbuds can make it an impressive eight hours per single charge with enabled ANC. In comparison, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer up to six hours of playtime with ANC, so the Pixel buds are definitely a winner on that front. Read more about battery life and other features in our Pixel Buds Pro 2 about noise cancelling? Well, it works, but it's not the best in class. The earbuds filter out most low-end sounds, though higher-pitched sounds occasionally come through. So, if supreme ANC is your top priority, these buddies might not be the perfect choice. If you don't mind getting wireless earbuds that don't have the best ANC in the market, chances are you'll be pretty happy with the latest pro-grade Google buds. After all, they sound great, offer exceptional comfort, and don't skimp on battery life. And now that they're down to their second-best price on Amazon, they're an even more compelling choice.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
This is the best AirPods Pro 2 deal I've ever seen – and it's only at this retailer
When it comes to wireless earbuds, there's really nothing quite as good as Apple 's AirPods Pro. There's a reason why I choose them as my go-to headphones – great noise-cancelling, spectacular sound and comfortable. But the issue is (as with a lot of great tech), they don't come cheap. Right now, the second-generation AirPods Pro will set you back around £189 at most retailers. However, I've just spotted a deal from OnBuy that stopped me in my tracks. The earbuds are reduced to an all-time low of £166. But, the savings don't stop there, as you'll also get £16.60 in cashback when you buy the headphones from the retailer. This can be used on your next order to help you save on even more gadgets. The additional saving means the price of the AirPods have plummed to £149.40. Still need convincing? Keep reading to find out why these headphones are a tried-and-tested favourite with our tech team at The Independent. Compared to its predecessors, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better noise cancellation, increased battery life with up to six hours of listening time and improvements in audio quality. Tech critic, David Phelan, put these features to the test in his Apple AirPods Pro 2 review and found the sound quality 'pretty impressive' with noise-cancelling that 'was good enough to reduce continuous sounds such as engine noise on a train'. To help you get the best sound isolation, there are four sizes of silicone tips plus personalised spatial audio. The latter is a clever feature that uses the camera on your iPhone to adjust the audio depending the way your ear looks. If you've got a tablet or MacBook, the personalised settings will carry across to these devices too. Apple's wireless earbuds come with USB-C charging, and if you have a MagSafe charger you can use this to charge them too. It's rare for the AirPods Pro 2 to drop in price, so now is a good time to snap up this deal. You don't have long though, as it's only available until 11:59pm on Monday 2 June.
Telegraph
3 days 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.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
Soundcore giveaway: How to win 3 pairs of wireless earbuds worth $430
Soundcore, owned by consumer electronics brand Anker, has rolled out an excellent lineup of audio devices, and here's your chance to win not just one, not just two, but three of them in this giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the Soundcore AeroFit 2 adjustable open-ear wireless earbuds, the Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling earbuds, and the Soundcore AeroClip open-ear clip-on earbuds, which are worth a total of $430. That's an amazing haul. You have until June 29 to join this Soundcore giveaway, but we highly recommend signing up right now to make sure you don't forget. Read on to find out the mechanics, as well as to learn more about the three wireless earbuds you'll hopefully win. How to enter Soundcore AeroFit 2: Adjustable ear hooks with AI translation The Soundcore AeroFit 2 adjustable open-ear wireless earbuds feature four-level adjustable ear hooks that will not only let you find the most comfortable fit, but will also deliver sound closer to your ear canal for deeper bass. The wireless earbuds also offer in-ear AI translation that supports more than 100 languages, for real-time responses with high accuracy. They can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, and up to a total of 42 hours with their charging case. Soundcore Liberty 5: Noise-canceling with Dolby Audio We described the Soundcore Liberty 5 noise-canceling earbuds as 'excellent daily driver earbuds' because of their great sound, very effective active noise cancellation that adjusts every 0.3 seconds, and support for Dolby Audio. With ANC activated, the earbuds can run for 8 hours on a single charge and up to a total of 32 hours with their charging case, with just 10 minutes of charging replenishing up to 5 hours of usage. Soundcore AeroClip: Revolutionary clip-on design for comfort The unique Soundcore AeroClip open-ear clip-on earbuds come with an adaptive open-ring design that's durable and flexible, allowing you to enjoy listening to your favorite tracks without any pressure on your ears. You'll be able to stay aware of your surroundings, but these earbuds will stay in place throughout the day. You'll also get AI-boosted calls for superior clarity, and an 8-hour battery life from a full charge and a total of 32 hours with their charging case.
Gizmodo
5 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Forget AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Are Practically Free After 50% Price Cut With Trade-In
As much as you love your current wireless earbuds, they may never be more useful to you than they are right now. That has nothing to do with their features or their sound, but everything to do with how they can help you upgrade into Samsung's newest and best buds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Your old buds can work toward the $125 trade-in credit that Samsung's offering right now, which would bring you the Galaxy Buds3 Pro for just $125 — half the original price. Even if you have some unusual attachment to your current device, or decide they're better served as a hand-me-down, Samsung's still opening the door for you to get in on the AI-powered features of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, with a $60 discount that doesn't require a trade-in of any kind. That would reduce the price to a still-solid $190, or $60 less than Apple's AirPods Pro 2. See at Samsung Adaptive Sound Just for You Galaxy AI is the big selling point of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, and if you're wondering how artificial intelligence works with wireless earbuds, it's all about customization. Noise cancellation has been a desired feature in earbuds and headphones for a long time now, but with Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro automatically adapt to the noise level of your surroundings, and also intelligently leave you enough external sound so you're aware of what's going on around you. It's the best and safest form of noise cancellation available. The Adaptive Equalizer feature of the Buds3 Pro is also driven by Galaxy AI. The buds base their sound delivery on the way you wear them. They actually adjust their own sound profile based on your ear shape and how snugly they sit in your ear. Power of the Galaxy When you pair the Galaxy Buds3 Pro with a Samsung Galaxy Phone, like one from the Galaxy S25 fleet, you're in for an amazing treat. Using the power of the Galaxy Phone's translator, you can have face to face conversations translated in real time. Someone speaking a different language will come through the Galaxy Buds3 Pro in English or whatever language you set it to. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro the latest and most advanced earbuds in the Samsung family, having dropped less than a year ago. You might expect a higher starting price than the $250 the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are currently listed at, but the current instant trade-in credit deal that brings them all the way down to $125 is a stunner, and the $190 price without trade-in is definitely not shabby at all. Check it out now at Samsung and have your old devices handy to see how low you can go with instant trade-in credit. See at Samsung
