‘Professionalised’.
Apple has unveiled the all-new AirPods Pro, headlined by a reshaped design, active noice cancellation, and silicone ear tips for a better fit.
The $399AUD AirPods Pro will release tomorrow, October 30, with three tip sizes included so the wireless earbuds are held more securely and blocks out more sound passively in a range of ear shapes.
To ensure this, the ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ uses algorithms to detect which ear tip size has the best fit or should be adjusted to create a better seal when the user first places the earbuds in their ears.
It also features active noice cancellation, like the Sony WF-1000XM3’s, that produces an opposite sound wave to the external environment to block all noise.
Through the AirPods Pro or volume slider on iOS and watchOS, users can switch between active noise cancellation, transparency mode (to temporarily hear external noise around you), or it can be disabled to save battery life.
Furthermore, AirPods Pro are lighter at 5.4 grams each with a shorter stem and IPX4 sweat and water resistance, with an elongated horizontal wireless charging case as standard.
The Cupertino company also says the AirPods Pro deliver improved sound quality with a custom high dynamic range amplifier and a low-distortion speaker driver that delivers richer bass and detailed mid and high-frequencies.
This is supported by the ‘Adaptive EQ’ feature which automatically adjusts frequencies of the music to the shape of the user’s ear.
Gestures are improved as well with a slight indent on the stem to control music, summon Siri, and respond to phone calls through a new ‘force sensor’.
As per the standard AirPods, the Pro includes Apple’s H1 chip, enabling “Hey Siri’ commands and proximity pairing with Apple devices.
Battery is claimed for four and a half hours with active noise cancellation or transparency mode activated, five hours with the aforementioned functions off, or up to three and a half hours of talk time.
The wireless charging case can deliver over 24 hours of listening time or 18 hours of talk time in total, and is charged via Qi or the Lightning port which now includes a Lightning to USB-C cable.
With five minutes of charging time in the case, it should provide around one hour of listening time or talk time.
The standard second generation AirPods remain on sale at the same prices of $249AUD and $319AUD with the wireless charging case, while the flagship AirPods Pro tops out at $399AUD.
The Connected by Henry Man 