Apple’s new AirPods Pro really want you to find and touch them

It wouldn’t be an Apple event without a new set of earbuds. The new AirPods Pro sport Apple’s new H2 chip, which offers improved performance with Apple Silicon. That’s typical of the company, making sure it works especially well with other Apple hardware.

It should work just fine on other devices, thanks to a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amp, but M1 or M2 processors will offer it a greater edge. Apple makes quite a few interesting claims that we can’t wait to test out.

AirPods Pro: Round 2

Some of these are familiar, but better. Apparently. Spatial Audio is still a thing but it’s possible to personalise it using iOS 16. We’ve seen other earbuds do this, using an app to map your ear canals. iPhone AI is supposed to place sounds more accurately based on the shape of your dome. Spatial Audio is pretty cool without it, so even a vague improvement here should impress.

Apple is ramping up the AirPods Pro’s active noise cancellation skills, which extends to the transparency mode. The company claims double the amount of noise cancelled over the original Pro buds, which it lays at the door of improved computation abilities. This turns out to be quite the theme this evening.

Transparency mode is what you’d expect, but the Pros are supposed to be able to automatically cut down harsh audio in your vicinity. We’ve only seen this demoed at Apple’s presentation so far. Standing next to a generator during load shedding will prove to be the South African test of Transparency’s skills.

You want more?

Less technological but still welcome is the introduction of a new extra-small silicone tip, along with the previously available options. Apple really wants you to stick these in your ears. The company also wants you to caress them. No, not like that.

A new capacitive sensor lives on the AirPod Pro’s stem. In addition to previous touch controls, sliding your finger up and down the stem will control volume.

As for the battery? How do six hours per charge sound? There are 30 hours in total if you include the capacity in the charging case. The case has undergone an upgrade. It has a speaker, which sends notifications and lets you find the bloody thing (and the buds themselves) when they’re lost with an audio prompt. The case charges wirelessly, using an Apple Watch, Magsafe, or Qi-compatible charger.

Want one? American pricing starts at $250 (R4,350 — expect it to be pricier in South Africa). It’ll launch internationally on 23 Sept, with free optional engraving. We’re not expecting that particular feature to make it across the ocean. Pity.