You should understand AirPods Pro 2 new features before deciding whether to upgrade or switch to it.
As the 2nd generation of AirPods Pro, you'd expect many cool new improvements and upgrades in the AirPods Pro 2 (aka AirPods Pro 2nd Gen).
This AirPods guide explains the major AirPods Pro 2 new features you should know, including the H2 chip, touch control, skin-detection sensor, adaptive transparency mode, improved noise cancellation, personalized spatial audio, longer battery life, a speaker and U1 chip in the case.
Update: with the release of iOS 17, some new features were added to AirPods Pro 2, including mute and unmute, adaptive mode, conversation awareness, and personalized volume. Please read this guide for a detailed explanation of these new features in iOS 17.
H2 chip
H2 chip is the heart of AirPods Pro 2.
Most of the AirPods Pro 2 new features and improvements can be traced back to the new chip.
Among Apple silicon, the “H” series is dedicated to headphones. Except for the original AirPods, all prior AirPods (AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max) were powered by the H1 chip.
AirPods Pro 2 is the first AirPods powered by the latest H2 chip. Most of the AirPods Pro 2 new features rely on this new chip.
Apple did not release the technical specs of the H2 (and H1) chips. But the improvements can be read from the claimed 2x noise cancelling capability, adaptive transparency mode, better sound quality, and lower power consumption (longer playtime).
Please note AirPods Pro 2 still does not support any advanced codec, e.g., aptX or LDAC. So, you are still limited by the AAC regardless of the music source. In comparison, Galaxy phones with Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Bud 3 Pro can enjoy Hi-Fi level music with Samsung Seamless Codec. Sony WF-1000XM4/XM5 with Android phones can even enjoy Hi-Res audio with the LDAC codec.
Touch controls
Although AirPods Pro 2 looks similar to AirPods Pro with stems, touch controls were added to AirPods Pro 2's stems.
Instead of relying on pressing force sensors, AirPods Pro 2 adds touch sensors and therefore, you can have more controls from the stem.
One of the most welcomed new controls from the touch sensor is volume adjustment. You … Read the rest