There are almost two months left until the end of the year; predicting the actions of the unpredictable Apple is a thankless task, but not in this case. There will be no new AirPods Pro released in 2021. If they were going to be released this year, they would have been announced at the October 18th event. After AirPods 3. AirPods Pro 2 could go on sale later, in a month or two - this is not a problem. On December 8 last year, Apple introduced AirPods Max. A press release, like some not too significant update to the MacBook Pro or iMac. AirPods Max were not understood or appreciated, and were considered one of Apple's main failures in 2022. Although, as it soon became clear, AirPods Max deserves a better rating. When will AirPods Pro 2 be released?
AirPods Pro are still very good, but people are already waiting for AirPods Pro 2
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg and Apple analyst from TFI Securities Ming Chi Ko reported in early October, before the presentation of AirPods 3, that the new AirPods Pro would be released in 2022. Each of them has their own sources of information about what is happening at Apple. For Mark Gurman, this is “well-informed Apple employees.” Wu Ming Chi Ko are no less knowledgeable employees of Taiwanese companies that manage the production of Apple products. The media boldly announced the release of AirPods Pro 2 next spring. According to them, in March or April 2022, Apple will air a video with the next virtual event, at which the new AirPods Pro will be presented.
AirPods 3 turned out better than we thought. What changed
The main topics of this event will be M2, the next generation computer chip, computers and tablets with this chip inside, and it will begin with the presentation of new headphones. A multi-colored M2 MacBook Air with a light gray thin frame around a Liquid Retina XDR display with a trendy “notch” this season, a 27-inch iMac with M1 Pro and M1 Max to choose from. But alas, this spring, most likely, there will be no event. Or it will be about something else. Production of the new AirPods Pro, like the M2 MacBook Air, will begin in the second half of 2022. Not earlier. This was reported by Apple analyst from TFI Securities Ming Chi Ko. I don’t want to believe it, but lately the most pessimistic forecasts have come true more often than not. It looks like AirPods Pro 2 will be released in the fall.
AirPods Pro 2 headphones will be released in the 3rd quarter of 2022
Apple is developing the second generation of AirPods Pro, which will be released after AirPods 3. According to authoritative Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman and leading Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new high-end headphones will be released in 2022.
However, neither Gurman nor Kuo gave a more specific release time for the new generation of headphones. Subscribe to the ForGeeks Podcast They're Talking Tech
The latest rumor comes from user @FronTron, who on Friday restated a prediction made in June that the AirPods Pro 2 would launch in the second quarter of next year. He now claims that Apple's second generation AirPods Pro will arrive in the third quarter of 2022. The third quarter traditionally covers a 92-day period from July 1 to September 30.
Although @FronTron has a very short list of credible leaks, the leaker told MacRumors that the information comes directly from the supply channel and is based on the same source that predicted the AirPods Pro 2 would arrive next year, a few days earlier , as Kuo said the same thing in his June 30 note to investors. Although this assumption is true, the new news should still be taken with a grain of salt.
AirPods Pro 2 concept art
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is aiming to make the AirPods Pro 2 more compact by removing the short stem that sticks out from the bottom. Apple is said to be testing a "more rounded shape that will fill more of the user's ear," but fitting the AirPods Pro hardware into a smaller body has proven challenging, so the plan may be scrapped, Gurman warns.
MacRumors has obtained purported images of the second-generation AirPods Pro that contradict the rumored stemless design, but they come from a non-reputable source and we can't verify their accuracy.
Bloomberg's Gurman and Debbie Wu reported in May that Apple's second generation of AirPods Pro will include updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking functionality. Based on the improvements made to the new AirPods 3, the second-generation AirPods Pro will likely add other features: a waterproof MagSafe charging case with an IPX-4 rating and all-new skin-sensing sensors that will replace the existing optical sensors.
Let us remind you that earlier Apple presented the third generation of AirPods headphones during its autumn presentation.
AirPods 3: design
The third generation AirPods headphones will be as similar as possible to the in-ear AirPods Pro.
The body will take on a more rounded shape, the leg will become shorter and will no longer protrude beyond the cap. Therefore, the quality of the sound recorded by microphones, as in the Pro version, will become slightly worse.
The case will also take on the same features as the Pro model.
The most interesting innovation will be the ability to use rubberized ear pads for earbuds .
Those. you will get universal hybrid headphones.
Active noise cancellation is not expected in the headphones - this remains a feature of the Pro line.
Sound quality
Having looked at the significant differences between the two Apple headphone models, let's move on to sound quality. While the AirPods 2's price cut increases their appeal, both models are still expensive. If you pay more, you probably want better sound quality.
AirPods 2 require a bass boost due to the lack of a seal in the ear canal.
The AirPods Pro boost some high frequencies above 1,100 Hz, and the lower end of the audio spectrum is close to 0 dB, excluding the sub-50 Hz range.
The graphs above show the frequency response of both pairs of headphones, focusing on a specific frequency range. AirPods Pro have more neutral bass, which is a direct result of increased wearing comfort. High volume at low frequencies is not necessary, since the headphones isolate the ear canal well and block out extraneous sounds.
AirPods 2 offer louder bass, but measured in a controlled environment. When you're on the subway or in another noisy environment, the bass is drowned out by loud outside noise, making it difficult to hear music.
Apple AirPods Pro are significantly superior to AirPods 2 in sound quality and noise cancellation.
Frequencies above 1100Hz sound twice as loud on AirPods Pro compared to AirPods. This makes it easier to hear harmonic resonances, which our brain perceives as more detailed sound. This is not a completely accurate representation of the original audio file, but it is the sound most users are accustomed to.
Unconfirmed rumors
A year ago, the online publication MacRumors wrote that Apple was going to integrate a light sensor to read biometric data. Such data can be heart rate (heart rate, pulse) or blood oxygen saturation.
Apple is also experimenting with colors Among the “leaks” a black housing plug with grooves for headphones was found.
There is also a rumor about a red version.
Which ones are best for physical activity?
The new headphones are more durable than their predecessors and have received IPX4 certification (meaning protection against splashing water from all directions).
AirPods Pro are IPX4 certified and can withstand sweat during intense workouts.
Many gym goers use old AirPods; water damage is not covered under warranty. If the sweat causes a short circuit, you're out of luck.
This does not apply to the Pro version. Ear pads allow headphones to stay in your ears better during exercise, whereas older headphones are more likely to fall out of your ears.
Autonomy
◆ AirPods 2 can work up to 5 hours of music listening and up to 3 hours of talk time.
The charging case allows you to go without charging for up to 24 hours of music listening and up to 18 hours of talk time.
The headset in the case charges in 15 minutes for about 3 hours of use.
◆ AirPods 3 has a battery life of up to 6 hours in listening mode and up to 4 hours during talk time.
Together with the charging case, autonomy will be up to 30 and up to 20 hours, respectively.
In 5 minutes the gadget can be charged for about 1 hour of work.
◆ AirPods Pro will last approximately 4.5-5 hours when listening to music and up to 3.5 hours when talking.
Autonomy with the charging case is up to 24 hours of music and up to 18 hours of calls.
The device charges in 5 minutes for about 1 hour of operation.
As you can see, the new AirPods 3 headset is a leader in battery life. In normal operating scenarios, it will last 1 hour longer in continuous operation or 5-6 hours longer in mixed mode. For some users, this means an additional 1-3 days of battery life.
Other differences
◆ The AirPods 2 package includes a Lightning/USB‑A cable, but in the box with the other two headsets you will find a Lightning/USB‑C “lane”.
◆The AirPods 2 charging case does not officially support MagSafe charging.
◆ To work with AirPods 2, you can use a smartphone starting with the iPhone 5s model, but for the other two headsets you will need at least a first-generation iPhone SE or iPhone 6s.
Any of the headsets, of course, can be connected to older devices, but you won’t get most of the software features. Apple recommends using the gadget with smartphones that are updated to at least iOS 13.
Microphone quality
AirPods 2 have an excellent quality microphone, surpassing most of its competitors in this regard. But the Pro's voice transmission shows slightly more neutral frequency characteristics, which is especially good for those with a low-pitched voice.
The speech-capturing accelerometer works in conjunction with microphones to cancel out background noise and provide a better quality conversation with the person on the other end of the line.
AirPods convey the timbre of the human voice quite well, surpassing the Samsung Galaxy Buds headphones in this regard.
Apple AirPods Pro have fairly neutral frequency characteristics, so your voice will be at the same volume during a phone call.
The microphones on both wireless earbuds are excellent, but the AirPods Pro still have a slight edge in voice quality.
Controls on the headphones
Both headphone models have controls, but they operate slightly differently. Older AirPods use touch control, where you press on the outside of the earbuds.
AirPods Pro received indentations on the handles. There are sensors here that distinguish between short and long presses.
Apple AirPods Pro have recesses underneath which hide sensors that respond to short and long presses.
Whichever AirPods model you choose, functionality can be configured in the Bluetooth section of the iPhone by clicking on the “i” icon next to the desired device.
Both AirPods models support automatic recognition of the absence of one earbud in the ear. After this, the sound is paused. If you insert the earphone back, playback will resume. Recognition can be turned off in iOS settings.
This functionality is not supported when using AirPods with Android.
