Apple Airpods Pro Review – High-Tech True Wireless Headphones

During the test, AirPod Pro from Apple convincingly demonstrated great qualities in the form of Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding comfort level, and excellent integration with the iOS. While they may not deliver the best-in-class audio output of all true wireless in-ear headphones, we still believe they are the best choice among iPhone owners.

Apple has not replaced the AirPods Pro with the AirPods; rather, it has introduced a premium audio alternative that better seals your ear thanks to a new design that also boasts an active noise reduction feature.

Apple AirPods Pro NC Headphones Review

Apple AirPods Pro Specifications

Type: In-Ear True Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Latency: 150 ms (average) |Battery: 5 Hours (24 Hours in Total) | Charging Time: 1 Hour | Quick-Charge: 1 Hours in 5 mins | Drivers: Dynamic | Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz | Weight: 10.8 g (5.4 Grams each earbud)

Apple AirPods Pro Overview

Apple’s AirPods Pro offers an ANC feature, fantastic user experience, beautiful sound reproduction, comfort, and integration with every Apple device. Additionally, we also explicitly recommend the AirPods Pro to be used with an iOS device, since restrictions apply when configuring and adjustments when using Android.

The craftsmanship is extremely comparable with that of the original AirPods, i.e., outstanding. Both the charging unit as well as the headphones themselves employ Apple’s renowned high-gloss white plastic. The music seems to come together beautifully, even though you can hear the music playing very tightly.

Ergonomy

The package of the new AirPods Pro follows a similar pattern as the previous generation: compact, sleek, lightweight yet light and stylish, featuring an embossed design of the headphones on its front panel.

On the other hand, its equipment is quite different from that of the previous version with a lot of extra value. First, it has a mini cardboard case featuring replaceable rubber tips that come in a variety of sizes. The smaller ones are labeled S, while the larger ones are referred to as L. The headphones themselves carry medium-sized ones, M.

Another major distinction is the Lightning to USB-C cable, unlike the traditional AirPods that feature a Lightning to USB-A cable. Taking into account that every other Apple product prefixed with Pro is also equipped with a USB-C port, this is a very timely solution.

The craftsmanship is extremely comparable with that of the original AirPods, i.e., outstanding. Both the charging unit as well as the headphones themselves employ Apple’s renowned high-gloss white plastic: other than a minor tendency to pick up scratches; they should be able to weather the test of time effortlessly.

The extensive amount of adhesive material employed assures an IPX4-certified resistance to water, and so the headphones will not be damaged by some water droplets or sweat; thus, we cannot use them when going for a dip in the pool without compromising their performance. However, the headphones can at least be worn in the rain without compromising their functionality.

As for comfort, it has been redesigned from the ground up. AirPods Pro are moving away from their ” one size fits all ” philosophy, and now come with three different sizes of Silicone tips.

Bluetooth & Technology

As with the 2nd generation of AirPods introduced at the start of 2019, AirPods Pro embeds Apple’s H1 chip, thus enabling seamless compatibility and integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Quick pairing also works perfectly: you only need to open the headphone case close to your iPhone, then press on the connect button, which automatically shows up on the interface.

Your new headset starts pairing up with your phone Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. Regardless of the device you use, simply select AirPods Pro as the output device in the audio menu or AirPlay on the device. You will never have to reconnect or remove your AirPods Pro manually. Now that’s an intuitive user experience!

Note that you may also choose to pair your AirPods Pro to a device other than an Apple device, in which case you will have a considerably less fulfilling listening experience. You lose the benefit of multi-device usage, as well as the ability to manage the settings of the headset because they are located directly in an iOS “Bluetooth” menu.

Obviously, the noise reduction feature, as well as the transparency option, can be enabled or disabled – sadly, there is no way for you to manually configure the noise reduction strength, contrary to the Sony WF-1000XM3, for instance – nor is it possible to change the settings by pressing and holding down the control button on the headphones for a short period of time.

Apart from that, it goes without saying that the AirPods Pro is also equipped with proximity sensors. These sensors ensure that you can take a break when you remove one earpiece automatically, and more than that: the transparency mode also works automatically by default on the other earpiece, preventing you from the distracting feeling of listening to the world around you via just a single earpiece. This is the type of small detail that certainly won’t rock your world, yet it still adds to one’s enjoyment of listening to these headphones as part of your daily routine.

AirPods Pro’s operating time meets Apple’s promise and is similar to that of the regular AirPods. In relation to the latter’s 5 hrs of battery life, it is either significantly lower with noise reduction activated (4 hrs 30 min) or a bit more without noise reduction (5 hrs 30 min). With the storage box, an additional four full loads can be added. It should be emphasized that the charging case is compatible with wireless recharging using the Qi protocol.

The transmission latency is roughly 160 ms, a value that is quite acceptable for a real wireless headset, but still clearly perceivable if it translates in the form of a sound/image mismatch during video streaming. We seldom encounter such an inconvenience, though, as most iOS and Mac-based applications, of course, have an automatic compensation for this delay.

Sound Quality

Shortly after the introduction of AirPods Pro on the internet & on the media, heated debates erupted over whether or not the new product has a better audio performance when compared to the AirPods, and if it’s audiophile-grade.

We have not felt that there is a major gap between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro when it comes to the listening quality. We love how the standard AirPods sound. For the way they’re designed, they do all the work they are supposed to do. The same can be said about the Apple AirPods Pro.

Being a music lover, you should preferably consider owning a set of high-quality headphones to listen to music at your home, instead of demanding audiophile-grade sound quality from your true wireless headphones.

While some AirPods Pro critics argue they do not produce a sufficiently spacious soundstage, the music seems to come together beautifully, even though you can hear the music playing very tightly. Indeed, the music sounds very close. However, please be careful of the format in which it is used. When you have active outdoor noises around, a feeling that the music is playing in a narrow scene or sounding very tight occurs.

Additionally, you can hear each and every detail; The balance between the various channels of sound appears in good harmony, with very ample basses.

Then again: some audiophile earphones do have a wider stage in which the details tend to be more pronounced and more complex, yet the chances are that as you walk down the street or ride the subway, it is improbable you will feel any of that, no matter how good the noise reduction is, or the lack of external noise.

Conclusion

When it comes to AirPods Pro, Apple brings you a set of stunning cordless in-ear headphones that outperform the classic AirPods – so long as you’re using an iPhone. While Apple may not have the greatest sonic performance in its category, the design and function changes and the way the AirPods Pro work with iOS, including the enhanced comfort provided by the headphones, are what ultimately sets the AirPods Pro apart for iPhone users.

Costing roughly $249.00, these are a lot more expensive to purchase as compared to the Momentum True Wireless, the price of which is $299.95, although it has no Active Noise Reduction capability. Those using wireless in-ears the whole day, or for several hours a day, may, therefore, have to consider a possible investment – though you should bear in mind that Apple’s AirPods Pro offers an ANC feature, fantastic user experience, beautiful sound reproduction, comfort, and integration with every Apple device.

Additionally, we also explicitly recommend the AirPods Pro to be used with an iOS device, since restrictions apply when configuring and adjustments when using Android. Nor can firmware updates be implemented into Android because the application is only available on iOS.