Apple introduced AirPods Pro at the end of October 2019. They arrived in a range of AirPods already offering two products, AirPods with wireless charging case and AirPods with wired charging case. The AirPods Pro have been the subject of many rumors in the weeks leading up to their release, as it is an important product for Apple, given the success already enjoyed by previous AirPods models.
These new Pro-branded headphones obviously integrate new technologies and see their design change significantly, on the speaker side in any case, and the case, to a lesser extent.
So let's see what the AirPods Pro have in their stomach, with all their detailed characteristics and price information, with at the end of the article, our opinion on the product.
The main features of AirPods Pro
Design
The AirPods Pro feature a design consistent with previous AirPods models. We therefore find these fairly small earpieces, characterized by this white rod going down along the earlobe once the headphones are in place.
They each weigh 5.4 g, and measure 30.9 mm high, 21.8 mm long, and 24 mm wide.
© Apple
Their design is in-ear, with a silicone tip to be inserted into the ear canal. This has two advantages. The first is the creation of passive physical insulation from outside noise, to a certain extent. The second is the possibility of obtaining a better feeling of low frequencies, compared to traditional headphones.
Note that to adapt to different ear sizes, 3 pairs of tips of different sizes are delivered with the AirPods Pro.
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The headphones are designed to provide effective support in the ears, without the need for an ear hook or connecting cord.
With a charging case
Like classic AirPods, AirPods Pro come with a charging case. The latter differs from previous models by a slightly more flattened design. It measures 60.6mm long, 45.2mm high, 21.7mm wide. It weighs 45.6g.
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It has a Lightning jack for charging, but is also compatible with Qi wireless charging. An LED on the front can signal the activation of the headphones or the start of charging of the case.
And the sound?
The AirPods Pro integrate different technologies allowing on paper to obtain the best possible sound depending on the ears of the listener and the environment in which they find themselves.
© Apple
They are notably equipped with an active noise reduction function. This allows external noise to be attenuated by phase cancellation. In addition, a so-called “Transparency” mode is available to pause noise reduction at any time. This can be useful if you want to hear the surrounding noises, for example while cycling, or walking in the street.
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In addition, like HomePod which adapts to the listening environment, AirPods Pro offer adaptive equalization technology. The latter modifies the sound according to the shape of the ear, in order to offer the best result for each user.
Otherwise, Apple mentions the presence of a high dynamic range amplifier and long excursion speakers, supporting high definition audio quality.
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Finally, as on previous AirPods, the H1 chip is required, to allow very rapid connection of the headphones to an iPhone or an iPad for example, but also to optimize autonomy and support Siri voice commands.
Sensors galore
The AirPods Pro contain different sensors, some of which are combined with the audio technologies described above. There are notably two “beamforming” microphones, allowing the sound to adapt to the shape of the ear, but also a microphone receiving voice commands.
Optical sensors are used to detect the position of placement in the ear. Thus, AirPods automatically activate or stop music when the user places them in their ears or removes them.
© Apple
Motion detector and voice detector accelerometers are also included, as well as a pressure sensor, probably useful for touch controls. See below on this.
And then Apple, with attention to detail, has developed a complex algorithm taking into account the data from the different AirPdos Pro sensors, capable of warning the user if the tips they have chosen are not the most suitable for their needs. ears. So, on their own, AirPods Pro can recommend the best pair of tips for each person.
Control AirPods Pro
In addition to supporting Siri voice commands, AirPods Pro can be controlled with your finger. For example, tap the earbud once to start playing, pause or answer a phone call, tap twice to skip to the next song, tap three times to go back, or long press to switch between modes. “Active noise reduction” to “Transparency” mode, and vice versa.
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Autonomy
Apple guarantees a battery life of 4.5 hours of music for AirPods Pro and up to 5 hours with noise reduction and “Transparency” mode disabled.
The charging case allows you to recharge the headphones and provide a total autonomy of 24 hours of music listening, or 18 hours of talk time.
Note that fast charging is available and allows you to save an hour of listening time in just 5 minutes of charging.
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But still?
AirPods feature IPX4 water and liquid resistance. This means that sweat and rain are not a problem. On the other hand, the headphones are not waterproof and cannot withstand a fall in the bath, the toilet, or the kitchen sink, for example.
Compatibility for AirPods Pro
To take advantage of all the features of AirPods Pro, you need one of these Apple devices with the latest version of the corresponding OS if possible:
- iPhone 6s and newer
- iPad 5th generation (2017) and newer, iPad mini 4 and newer, iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad Pro
- iPod touch 7th generation
- 12-inch MacBook 2015 and newer, MacBook Air mid-2012 and newer, MacBook Pro mid-2012 and newer, iMac late 2012 and newer, Mac mini 2012 and newer, Mac Pro 2013 and newer most recent
- Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3, 4 et 5
- Apple TV 4th generation and Apple TV 4K
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The audio sharing functionality is also missing from older iPads and iPhones: iPhone 7 and older, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation) and 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.
With non-Apple devices, AirPods Pro are usable, but this means limited functionality.
Price and final opinion
Price and availability
The AirPods Pro are available in white only, priced at 279 euros from Apple. They may be listed cheaper sometimes at some third-party retailers. See the box below to find out which merchant is offering the lowest price at the moment.
Our opinion and conclusion
With these AirPods Pro, the Cupertino company is striking a blow in the market for intelligent wireless headphones, as it did with the first AirPods. However, it does not revolutionize the field. In addition, there were already other smart wireless headphones in in-ear format on the market before, such as the Beats Powerbeats Pro,tested in our columns and particularly appreciated.
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But, while many other competitors are ready to invest in this same market, Apple is moving up a gear with active noise reduction and especially this new technology for automatically adapting the sound according to the wearer's ears.
So, like the HomePod, which adapts to the room to offer the best possible result, these new headphones could well be the best in-ear on the market in terms of audio quality. It remains to be seen whether their design provides sufficient support in the ears for everyone. Because it happens that some people do not have the ears that are best suited to this type of headphone format.
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In conclusion, if you have an Apple device and are looking for quality in-ear headphones, these AirPods Pro are undoubtedly one of, if not the best possible choice. Provided, however, that you can afford to pay the asking price, for these clearly high-end headphones.
