The new AirPods Pro 2 is among the best ANC EarPods for iPhone users. However, if you are planning to switch from the AirPod Pro to the new AirPods Pro 2, they may have some confusion in between; let’s check it out.
The old version always comes with the deal, and the new one sells at almost the full price; you have to decide whether you stay on the AirPods Pro or go to the AirPod Pro 2 model.
Audio Features
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The latest AirPod Pro 2 offers the best ANC experience compared to our previous versions. However, when you consider the AirPods Pro, the experience for the new ANC is exceptional. I would say, If you are planning to switch from AirPods Pro to this Pro 2, ANC is just one of the main reasons to switch from your previous model. You may see all other features are almost the same compared to the previous versions. You may think twice before spending money on the new AirPod Pro 2.
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature on AirPod Pro 2 is superb.
When you turn on the Active Noise Cancellation feature on AirPod Pro 2, it’s superb, and you feel amazed by the quality of the surrounding noise cancellation. You feel the difference between the old AirPods Pro and the new Pro 2 version with the powerful ANC.
The ANC performance in high frequency is still debatable, and the high-frequency noise cancellation with the Pro 2 is not up to the line compared to the overall ANC performance.
The active Transparency feature is a little bit improved on the latest AirPods Pro 2, but not a significant change compared to the AirPods 3rd Gen.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| NA | Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) |
| NA | Active Transparency |
| NA | AirPods Pro Pressure Vent |
AirPods Vent System is a new hardware change in the new AirPods, the pressure vent. You may notice this additional vent system for pressure equalization, so you won’t feel that much pressure difference while you wear it all day.
Related: Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review: Great Earbuds with Super ANC
Hardware Changes
When we talk about the hardware difference between the previous versions of the AirPod and the new AirPod Pro 2, we can highlight a couple of things here.
The first one is the H2 chip that you is an upgrade from the previous AirPods version that was using H1. With the H2 chip on the new AirPods Pros, they would have some improvement in performance and efficiency.
The efficiency in terms of the sound quality and the battery life. The battery life might be slightly improved with the new chip. You can see a minor difference in the battery life of the Pro 2 version.
I always misplace my AirPod Case, and I always use this feature.
Some additional hardware changes get some attraction for the new AirPods models. As you know, the new AirPods Pro Case is built with a U1 chip that helps you precisely locate your missing items the same way you do with the AirTag. In the same way, the AirTag lets you precisely find it, and the new AirPod Pro case lets you find out if you misplaced your new AirPod Pro case somewhere in your home. This is pretty handy; I always misplace my AirPod Case and use this feature. So if you are one like me, always misplace your AirPod; this will be the best feature you’ll like with AirPod Pro 2.
There is an additional charge on this AirPod Case; this one comes with an external case speaker. The case speaker can make a noise, and you can use this feature to find out you’re missing AirPod Case by playing a sound right from your FindMy app. In addition, the AirPods case can alert you when you place it on the charger or run out of battery.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| H1 headphone chip | H2 headphone chip |
| NA | U1 Chip in MagSafe Charging Case |
| Wireless Charging Lightning Port Case | Wireless Charging, Lightning Port and Apple MagSafe Charging Case |
| NA | Case with speaker and lanyard loop |
| NA | Case Engraving on Software |
| NA | AirPods Pro Pressure Vent |
| NA | Personal Engraving on AirPods App |
In addition, the AirPods Pro 2 case comes with a lanyard loop that you can use to attach AirPod Case to your car key or backpack.
There is a considerably slight difference between the AirPod Case size compared to the previous AirPods Gen.3. If you are going to buy an AirPods Pro case for the new AirPods Pro2 or if you are planning to use the same case for the AirPods Pro 2, I wouldn’t recommend that. The case is a little bit bigger than the previous version and won’t be a good match with the old AirPods cover.
There is a surprise feature from Apple from AirPods Pro 2 versions; you can see the same engraved emojis or icons on your iPhone AirPods apps too.
Related: How to Set up Personalized Spatial Audio for AirPods Pro on iPhone
Connectivity
There is not much change in the connectivity of the new AirPod Pro 2 compared to the previous models. The Bluetooth version changed from 5 to 5.3. I believe they may have some battery saving with the improved Bluetooth connectivity with this new AirPods Pro 2.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Sensors
The new version brings the touch control instead of the force sensor that had on AirPod Gen. 3. You can press and hold or press to control the music, and you can swipe up or swipe down to control the volume of the music or the car on the new AirPod Pro 2.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Force sensor | Touch control |
Also, while you talk about the sensor, I say the U1 chip is integrated into the AirPod Pro case. This will help you precisely find out the case in case you misplaced your AirPod Pro case with the FindMy app.
Related: Best Apple AirPods Pro 2 Accessories: Chargers, Cases, Tips, Hooks, and More
Dimension Changes
The are some changes in the new AirPods Case dimensions. I like to include this part in this article because everybody’s thinking about using the old AirPod Pro case with the new one. I would say that’s not possible with the new AirPod Pro 2 cases.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Height: 1.21″ | Height: 1.22″ |
| Width: 0.72″ | Width: 0.86″ |
| Depth: 0.76″ | Depth: 0.94″ |
| Weight: 0.15 ounce | Weight:0.19 ounce |
The new case is slightly bigger than the old one. So if you have the old cover around there and want to use the old case for the new one, I would say the new one is going to be tight, and you may be unable to get it back.
There is a chance to break your original case when you try to take it out of the case. It is good to go for a new AirPod Pro case if you plan to use any case for your new device.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Height: 1.83″ | Height: 1.78″ |
| Width: 2.14″ | Width: 2.39″ |
| Depth: 0.84″ | Depth: 0.85″ |
| Weight: 1.34 ounce | Weight: 1.79 ounce |
There is a change in the dimension of this AirPod Pros case compared to the previous versions. I’m just going to give you the dimension of all these new and old AirPods. You get some idea of what is the difference between those two devices.
AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Gen. 3 Controls
The functions look the same, but changes are based on how you control the functions. The AirPod Pro, the old version, uses the force control instead of the touch control. Just to make it easy for you to understand, here are the controls for both the AirPods and the difference.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call | Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call |
| Press twice to skip forward | Press twice to skip forward |
| Press three times to skip back | Press three times to skip back |
| Press and hold for Siri | Press and hold for Siri |
| NA | Press and hold to switch between ANC and Adaptive Transparency |
| Na | Swipe up or down to adjust the volume |
| Say “Hey Siri” to Activate Siri | Say “Hey Siri” to Activate Siri |
The new version comes with a touch to control rather than a pressure sensor. In addition, there are a couple of other nice improvements in the new controllers.
Battery & Charger
There is not much improvement in the battery life. I’ll be talking about the new AirPod Pro, but since they improved with the H2 chip and Bluetooth ovation 5.3, there is a slight improvement in the battery life of this AirPod Pro 2 compared to the previous version.
Here is a table that explains the battery life changes between those two devices to get an idea for you.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 hours of listening time Up to 5 hours with Spatial Audio | Up to 6 hours of listening time Up to 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio |
| Up to 4 hours of talk time | Up to 4.5 hours of talk time |
The case supports and offers additional battery juice. And with the new Pro 2 Case, offers additional talk time.
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) w/ Case | AirPods Pro 2 w/ Case |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 hours of listening time | Up to 30 hours of listening time |
| Up to 20 hours of talk time | Up to 24 hours of talk time |
The new AirPods Case has an additional option to change your AirPods case, the Apple Watch MagSafe charger.
What’s In the Box
| AirPods (3rd Gen.) | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|
| AirPods (3rd generation) | AirPods Pro (2nd generation) |
| MagSafe Charging Case | MagSafe Charging Case with speaker and lanyard loop |
| Lightning to USB-C Cable | Lightning to USB-C Cable |
| Documentation | Documentation |
| NA | Silicone ear tips (four sizes: XS, S, M, L) |
What is in the box? We have the same documentation and AirPod Case with the new AirPods. But in addition to that, there is a different size of silicon ear-tips. You can use your new AirPod Pros to ensure you get the best feel of the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
When you come back to both AirPods, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)is the best, which is extremely great. It’s amazing how you feel when you switch from the old AirPod Pro to the new one. The battery life is not considerably changed with the new version. We want to discuss the main thing that the U1 chip integrated into this new AirPod Pro case will help you keep this AirPod Pro with you.
- RICHER AUDIO EXPERIENCE – The Apple-designed H2 chip pushes advanced audio performance even…
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — With sound that suits your unique ear shape along with dynamic head…
If you are planning to switch from AirPod Pro to a Pro 2, you are not getting that much other than ANC. But if you have any old versions of AirPods or are planning to buy a new AirPod Pro on this holiday deal, the AirPod Pro 2 will be the best bet for you to enjoy with your new iPhone.