Apple threw their hat in the wireless headphone market back in 2016 with the original AirPods,
and they became what can only be called an international phenomenon.
With Apple Stores across the world struggling to keep the product stocked, even a year after
its release.
And earlier this year Apple updated the AirPods for the first time, the new model featured
hey Siri support, an H1 chip, faster connection and device switching, option wireless charging,
and 50% more talk time.
But the AirPods Pro isn’t just a simple refresh.
It’s a completely new model.
And that means the previous AirPods 2 introduced back in March is still being sold today starting
at $160.
It now serves as the entry-level AirPods Apple is offering alongside the new $250 AirPods
Pro.
And that higher priced model is exactly what we’re going to be exploring in detail.
If you’d like to see more product reviews like this or help decide which video topics
I cover don’t forget to subscribe.
So if you own a previous model of AirPods Apple has released in the past, then the packaging
of the new AirPods Pro will look familiar.
On the front we have a shot of the headphones themselves, with Apple logos on either side
and the AirPods pro name on the top.
And what’s interesting is Apple’s still including the “with wireless charging case”
text.
I thought they might leave it out since there’s only one model of AirPods Pro so there’s
really no reason to differentiate it.
But either way we still have a photo of the charging case on the back and we open the
lid the same way as any other model of AirPods.
We’re greeted by this familiar envelop of documentation and underneath that is the charging
case which contains the AirPods Pro.
But things start to look a little different after we remove this insert.
Because the AirPods Pro feature small, medium, and large silicon ear tips, Apple had to add
an extra item in the box which is this ear tip holder.
And what I love about this is that it’s all held together by this single tab.
Similar to what we saw with the Series 5 Apple Watch packaging.
That way, not only is it easy to open, but it’s also reusable.
Allowing you to switch out and store your ear tips without the risk of losing one.
But if you do happen to lose an ear tip, Apple has confirmed that you can buy individual
replacements for $4 each.
And the last thing in the box is this power cable which is now USB-C to Lightning, just
like what we saw included with the iPhone 11 Pro.
Now let’s take a closer look at the AirPods Pro themselves.
You’ll notice that their charging case is oriented horizontally instead of vertically,
which is likely due to the headphones wider earpiece and shorter stem.
It’s also a little larger than standard AirPods case, although it still feels comfortable
in my pockets and there’s been no functional difference for me when it comes to portability.
Although I should mention that the AirPods Pro protrude out of their case further than
the standard model.
And that means they’re easier to get a hold of and remove.
But the size and shape of the charging case aren’t the only changes.
The LED indicator on the front is now more diffused than before.
I’m not sure if the difference is coming through in this video, but it appears that
apple has covered the indicator with a more matte material that softens the LED light
which I think is easier on the eyes especially in dark environments.
Apple has also changed the hinge on this charging case, it’s much more heavy duty design with
the metal not only extending not only onto the outside of the lid, but also onto the
inside.
It makes sense to add a heftier hinge to this charging case since it’s attached to a lid
that’s about 25% larger than before.
And you can see the effects of its strength when opening the lid and tipping it over.
It stays open the entire time, whereas the standard AirPods case closes immediately.
That means the hinge has a little more friction and requires a little more effort to close,
which I actually appreciate since it prevents unintended closures that I used to experience
quite a bit with the smaller charging case.
But there is one thing about this hinge that disappointed me, and that is the clicking.
If you move the lid side to side, the hinge makes these clicking sounds that I find pretty
annoying, although it doesn’t have any effect on functionality.
The original AirPods had this problem but it appeared to be solved with the second generation
updated back in March.
And while it’s certainly not something that should prevent you from buying the AirPods
Pro, I think it is worth mentioning.
Now let’s take a look at the headphones themselves.
The biggest changes are the shorter stems and silicon ear tips, but there are a lot
of small details that deserve appreciation as well.
For example, the overall design of the AirPod is much more seamless.
The mesh vents are now flush with the white plastic instead of being recessed, the microphones
and sensors have been consolidated so that there are only three black marks on the headphone
instead of five.
And the metal contacts for charging have actually been built into the stem instead of simply
being an extension.
And that means the bottom of the AirPods Pro are white which I find more satisfying than
a black vent for the microphone.
So let’s talk about the silicon ear tips because this is the first time a model of
AirPods have had them, and they serve a few purposes.
First, they come in three sizes which allow for a more customized fit.
If you’ve had issues with the standard AirPods fitting properly, the AirPods Pro are more
likely to work for you.
Second, the ear tips are designed to form a seal which not only secures them inside
your ear but also reduces ambient noise since they sort’ve act like earplugs.
And lastly, these ear tips have a proprietary design that I think makes them the best in
the market.
Removing and attaching them is incredibly easy since they simply snap on and off, and
they’re very flexible since the AirPod itself doesn’t have a sound cone that protrudes
into the ear tip like other competitors.
Instead, the opening of the headphone is flat, allowing the ear tip to be less rigid.
It’s also worth noting that the ear tips have a built-in mesh cover to protect the
AirPod from debris and earwax.
The mesh also makes cleaning the AirPods Pro quick and easy, since the ear tips can quickly
be removed and wiped down.
Now the AirPods Pro are shipped with the medium-sized ear tips already installed, but there’s
a large and small size you can use to ensure the right fit for your ears.
And I highly recommend testing out all three ear tips to figure out which feels more comfortable
for you.
I assumed medium would work well for my ears, but after just a couple hours of use I began
experiencing soreness on the outside of my ears since the AirPods Pro were pressing against
part of my outer ear as a result of being in too deep.
I swapped the medium ear tips out for large, and this allowed them to sit in a more shallow
position with the AirPods Pro hard plastic body no longer pressing against my ear and
no longer causing discomfort.
So the AirPods Pro are very well designed, but how well do they actually work?
Well, let’s start off by discussing the most important aspect of any headphone, its
sound quality.
If you’re currently an AirPods user, the sound from the AirPods Pro will be noticeably
better.
The bass actually delivers some thump, and the overall clarity is a huge step forward.
Let me put it this way, if you’ve ever used expensive headphones and realized there were
instruments in your favorite songs that you’ve never heard before, that’s the level of
clarity you can expect from AirPods Pro.
Now are they on the same level as industry leading headphones from Sony and Bose, I don’t
think they are.
But they’re definitely one of the best sounding wireless earbuds on the market today.
And a big reason why sound from the AirPods Pro comes through so beautifully is because
of their active noise cancellation.
This is a feature that started on larger on-ear and over-ear headphones but has made its way
to smaller in-ear headphones in recent years.
And it’s definitely a feature I’ve wanted Apple to include in their AirPods since their
debut in 2016.
I honestly wasn’t sure how well noise cancellation would perform in a small earbud, but when
I experienced it for the first time I was blown away.
Now I’ve been using the Bose QC 35s for years which have some of the best noise cancelling
technology on the market, but it took quite a few tries for me to notice the subtle differences
between the noise cancelling on the QC 35s and AirPods Pro.
Now I’m not an audiophile with a highly trained ear, but just as an average user,
it seemed like the AirPods Pro were removing about 80% of the same noise the QC 35s were.
And that’s an incredible achievement for headphones that are substantially smaller
and $100 less expensive.
I’ve used the AirPods Pro active noise cancellation in a variety of environments including in
parks, restaurants, trains, and walking through Tokyo, and I’ve come to understand a couple
things about the feature.
First, it performs phenomenally well when it comes to constant, low pitches sounds.
A humming air conditioner, noise from a car engine, and the rumbling of a train have all
been silenced while wearing AirPods Pro.
But higher pitched sounds or sudden noises are able to come through more clearly, although
they have a muffled tone.
Although I didn’t find these limitations to be annoying or an impediment on my listening
experience.
And I think that’s why I haven’t used my Bose QC 35s since I’ve owned the AirPods
Pro.
Sure, the noise cancelling and sound quality isn’t as good, but those aspects are certainly
good enough for me, and I enjoy all the benefits of a more compact in-ear headphone.
I should also mention that active noise cancellation also means you don’t have to turn the volume
up as high since your music is no longer competing with loud ambient sound.
In fact, I typically listened to music at about 60% volume with the standard AirPods,
but now listen at 40% with the AirPods Pro.
And that’s a really important benefit, since many people listen to music so loudly that
it damages their hearing over time.
But I think the addition of active noise cancellation will naturally cause users to listen at lower
volumes and therefore protect their hearing.
But the feature that was even more impressive than the active noice cancellation, was transparency
mode.
And that’s when the microphone is used to pick up ambient noises and play them into
your ear, so you can hear everything going on around you without removing the headphones.
It’s a capability almost every headphone with active noice cancellation has, but I’ve
never seen it implemented well.
In fact, I never use the transparency feature on my QC 35s because it sounds like I’m
talking into a microphone that’s picking up my voice and blasting it into my ear which
is just annoying.
But Apple has implemented this feature in a way that I think is worth calling revolutionary.
When you activate transparency mode on the AirPods Pro it really sounds like you’re
not wearing them.
Which is odd since you can still feel them in your ears.
You don’t get the weird audio feed effect like other headphones and your voice isn’t
over-amplified.
I think it’s the most magical feature of the AirPods Pro and it really comes in handy.
If I’m ordering food or need to listen for my name being called, I don’t have to remove
and reinsert my headphones which is more laborious with the in-ear AirPods Pro than the standard
AirPods.
I can simply press to activate transparency mode, hear everything going on around me,
and press again to switch back to noise cancellation.
It’s a completely seamless experience that Apple deserves a lot of credit for.
And one aspect of this feature I really appreciate is how the headphones transition from one
mode to another.
On my QC 35s, turning on noise cancellation triggers an abrupt transition, but the AirPods
Pro actually crossfade from one mode to the next.
Which just demonstrates how Apple paid attention to every last detail to make their headphone
experience as pleasurable as possible.
Another fantastic addition to the AirPods Pro are their force sensors.
There’s one on the stem of each headphone, and they function kind’ve like buttons,
although they don’t actually move when you press them.
But the first time I used the force sensor I had to double check that it didn’t physically
move or vibrate because the audible click you hear when pressing it is so satisfyingly
crisp that it almost tricks your brain into feeling a physical click.
And you can use the force sensors to do a variety of things like pressing once to play
or pause music and answer calls, pressing twice to skip forward, pressing three times
to skip back, and long pressing to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency
mode.
Tap controls do not exist on the AirPods Pro, although hey Siri is still available.
Activating the force sensor does require quite a bit of pressure, but I’ve found it to
be just right after getting accustomed to it.
The force sensors are definitely easier to use and more reliable compared to tapping
on the headphones like with the standard AirPods.
It’s also worth pointing out that removing one of the AirPods Pro from your ear will
automatically pause whatever you’re listening to, but the cool part is that it’ll also
automatically activate transparency mode.
Which makes sense, since usually the reason for removing your earbud is to talk to someone
or hear whats going on around you.
One last unique benefit of these headphones are their ventilation system that prevents
air pressure from building up in your ears, which is actually a common issue with in-ear
headphones.
Now let’s talk about the AirPods Pro setup process.
It’s very similar to previous models, simply open the lid and hold it near your iOS device
until this window pops up and then tap connect.
It’s that simple.
But what’s more interesting are the customizability features that you can find under bluetooth
settings by tapping the blue “i” next to your AirPods Pro.
Here you can change what feature is triggered by a long press, active noise cancellation
or Siri, for each respective earbud.
You can also change what modes you’d prefer to toggle between.
For example, a long press would allow you to switch between active noise cancellation
and transparency mode.
Or, you can switch between active noise cancellation and off.
Which simply turns off both transparency mode and active noice cancellation and essentially
turns your AirPods Pro into passive noice cancelling headphones.
But one limitation to this is that you cannot assign different combinations to each earbud,
and that’s something I hope Apple allows us to do with a future software update.
Now on this page you’ll also find something called the ear tip fit test.
And while many outlets are saying it’s supposed to help users decide which ear tip size is
best for them, I don’t think that’s what the test is for.
All it does is play some music and use the inner microphone to detect if any of the sound
is leaking through an ill-fitting earbud.
I used this test with the medium sized ear tips and it passed.
But despite having a good seal, that size wasn’t right for me.
And I wouldn’t realize it until I experienced the discomfort I mentioned before.
So the ear tip fit test is more of a tool to ensure you’re wearing your AirPods Pro
correctly, rather than verifying that you’re wearing the right size.
That’s why I encourage everyone to try out all three sizes even if you pass the ear tip
fit test your first try.
Now it’s important to point out that your device will have to be updated to iOS 13.2
in order to be compatible with the AirPods Pro, and your Mac will have to be updated
to Catalina.
When it comes to Android devices, they can be used with AirPods Pro, you just cannot
adjust the settings unless you connect them to an iOS device.
There are also some pretty cool software features enabled by iOS, like audio sharing.
Where you can connect a second pair of AirPods so you and a friend can listen to the same
audio.
But my favorite software feature is announce messages with Siri.
That way when you’re using AirPods Pro while your iPhone is asleep, Siri will automatically
interrupt and read out any new text messages.
It’s a very convenient feature since I no longer have to pick up, unlock, and lay down
my iPhone every time I reply to a text.
I can simply listen to the message and reply with Siri.
So we’ve covered everything I love about Apple’s new AirPods Pro, but there is one
thing I don’t love so much.
And that is its battery life.
Now it’s true that AirPods Pro get the same five hour battery life with active noise cancellation
and transparency mode turned off, but it get four and a half hour with those capabilities
turned on.
And while that’s likely more than enough for most users, I think many people like me
will be hearing that low power chime on a regular basis.
Here’s my problem: I used to switch between my old AirPods and Bose QC 35s for different
activities.
Mainly because I wanted the convenience and comfort of the AirPods at certain times, but
the great sound quality and noise cancellation of the Bose headphones at other times.
And that worked out well since it gave my AirPods time to charge in-between uses.
But since I’ve had these AirPods Pro, I haven’t touched my Bose QC 35s.
And that means I’m using them for longer stretches of time and fully depleting the
battery more often than ever before.
So what’s my final word on the AirPods Pro?
Well, while they may not be number one when it comes to specific metrics like sound quality
or noise cancellation, they do deliver the best all-around experience of any headphone
on the market today.
You get the portability of a wireless earbud with a compact charging case, plus great sound
quality and impressive noise cancellation, not to mention the comfort of an earbud that’s
designed to be used for hours on end without any discomfort.
The AirPods Pro truly are the total package headphone that many of us have been waiting
for, and I highly recommend at least giving them a try at your local Apple Store.
That is, if you have the extra $250 to spend, because you just might fall in love after
experiencing the AirPods Pro in person.
Alright guys thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time.