“Can Apple really do it again?”
That’s the question I asked myself after watching Tech giant’s “Far Out” important event in September.
While the biggest news from the supposed special event new iPhone 14 product line and launched the all-new Apple Watch Ultra model, Apple also launched the much-anticipated second-generation AirPods Pro.
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Since AirPods Pro first generation launched in 2019, they are fast has become my go-to destination for long-haul flights. With impressive noise cancellation in an extremely portable package, it’s a combination that’s hard to beat, especially considering how integrated they are in the Apple ecosystem.
Of course, some visitors will always enjoy shopping around over-ear headphonesconsists of Apple’s AirPods Maxoffers superior noise cancellation but is significantly bulkier.
But for many travelers, the AirPods Pro are a good choice. However, with the introduction of the second-generation model, I wonder if they are worth the upgrade.
Well, after five flights and almost 11,000 miles in the air testing them, I have my answer.
Noise cancellation better than ever
The first-generation AirPods Pro pack an impressive audio experience in an extremely portable package, and the new model takes that to the next level.
As a longtime user of Apple’s Professional Level In-Ear HeadphonesI’m used to the audio experience they offer, and I imagine the next-gen buds will be an iterative update in sound quality.
But when I first wore them, I was particularly impressed by the improvements in active noise cancellation.
Powered by the next-generation Apple H2 silicon chip, the new AirPods Pro can handle advanced algorithms that were previously impossible on the first-generation model. This, combined with a new, more powerful audio driver (the physics that creates the sound) opens up to nearly twice as much active noise cancellation as the previous generation.
Of course, there’s no better place to put Apple’s claims to the test than flying at 30,000 feet in an airplane.
And after five flights with AirPods Pro, active noise cancellation is really impressive. I flew with both my 1st and 2nd Generation Pros and alternated which I used during my flights to feel the upgrade in sound quality.
With the second-generation bud, I was plagued by fewer notifications and passenger chatter than with the old model. The sound quality is also significantly better.
Increased battery for long distances
During my travels, I tried to test the battery life improvements Apple made with the second-generation AirPods Pro.
Nowhere have I been more impressed than in my two intercontinental flights. With the first generation buds, I always needed to recharge my AirPods about 3/4 of the way through a cross-air flight.
But with the new AirPods Pro, the music kept playing until we landed. When I flew from New York to Seattle, I wore my AirPods Pro when I boarded the plane to help me focus on some last-minute work.
Then I listened to a podcast and played music for the rest of the flight. When I got to Seattle, I still had about 10% charge on my AirPods Pro.
With a port-to-gate time of just over six hours, my experience with the second-generation AirPods Pro (slightly) beat Apple’s promise of up to six hours of listening time with the new Pros, which increased by a fraction. three compared to the legacy model.
The extra 90 minutes of listening time has gone a long way in my cross-country flights, and it has also made a noticeable difference in my long-haul trips. (You’ll also get an extra hour of talk time with the new Pros.)
While you can always charge your AirPods Pro when they’re dead (five minutes in the box provides about an hour of listening time), I appreciate being able to continue listening during the flight without interrupting music or podcasts. mine.
Small speakers make a big difference
The new AirPods Pro are also a great upgrade for travelers who are prone to losing their belongings.
First, you can always keep them connected to your bag thanks to the new lanyard loop on the charging case.
And if you misplace your second-generation AirPods Pro, the new U1 chip in the charging case will allow for an exact search in Find my networkgives you an accurate view of their exact location.
As you get closer, a new speaker in the box can play a sound to help you quickly locate your AirPods, whether they’re tucked into your seat or between seats on an airplane.
Personally, I always keep my AirPods in my pocket, but now I have peace of mind that if they fall out somewhere during my travels, it won’t take too long to get them back on with my headphones.
Volume at hand
Taking control of your audio experience on the go just got easier with the second-generation AirPods Pro.
Apple has redesigned the touch area on the body of each AirPod to give users more flexibility when playing music or talking on the phone.
With the addition of a new capacitive sensor layer, you can now swipe up and down on the body to adjust the volume. Press your audio controls while holding down the toggle between noise cancellation and transparency modes. (You can always customize these options from the settings menu on your paired iOS device.)
Personally, the new volume slider function comes in handy during my travels when flight attendants arrive at my line and when there’s an important announcement.
When that happened, I quickly turned down the volume directly on my AirPods, without using my phone or connecting my Apple Watch. Then I can communicate with the crew and hear the full announcement without interruption. (Also, I could have gone transparent – more on that below.)
Of course, with your phone or simply pausing your audio isn’t necessarily an inconvenience, but the new volume slider is a feature worth having.
Big Upgraded Transparency Mode
Sometimes, you want to be aware of your surroundings when you are listening to sound on your headphones. Maybe you want to hear what’s going on around you as you navigate a new city or when you’re waiting to board a flight.
In those cases, remember to enable transparency mode on your AirPods Pro. This feature basically plays what’s going on around you without stopping your music.
And, the new AirPods Pro take the transparency experience to the next level with the introduction of Adaptive Transparency.
When you walk past a noisy construction or a fire alarm goes off, the new AirPods Pro automatically tunes those noises down to a much healthier decibel.
You can customize many aspects of this feature in the accessibility settings on your iOS device, but by default, adaptive transparency comes into play for any audio above 85 decibels. This will definitely help you avoid hearing harmful sounds which can eventually lead to hearing loss.
Key point
While some travelers continue to use over-ear headphones, the new AirPods Pro provide a compelling reason to ditch those bulky headphones on your travels.
With an even better audio experience in a package that easily fits in your pocket or purse, the second-generation AirPods Pro are especially great for travelers. They are also better Entry-level AirPodsdoesn’t offer active noise cancellation – a must-have for those looking to zone out in transit.
At $249, the new Pros are $70 more than the “regular” third-generation AirPods. It’s a worthwhile savings, especially if you’re planning to travel with your earbuds.
Improved noise cancellation and increased battery life are headlines for travel-focused upgrades on the Pros, but additional improvements, such as precision search, redesigned controls, and new adaptive transparency mode, making these headphones Apple’s most travel-friendly yet.
It’s worth noting that AirPods (and Bluetooth headphones in general) continue to cause problems for people trying to use their headphones with existing seatback screens on planes. While Bluetooth Support gradually rolling out on the newest jetyou will still need to pack a dongle (Plane is our recommendation) above most others.
For upgrades from the first-generation model, the new Pros offer some worthwhile upgrades. While an immediate upgrade may be necessary, you certainly can’t leave your next-generation headphones on your holiday favorites list.
Who knows? Santa can be very generous this year.
