Apple is counted among the leading tech brands all over the world. Apple has never failed to bring truly innovative products to its consumers. AirPods is one such innovative product that gained instant popularity the moment it was introduced to the audience. Since the introduction of AirPods, Apple has come up with several variants, including AirPods Pro 1st Gen and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. If you are interested in investing in a pair of AirPods by Apple, you might be wondering what the differences between the two variants are and which out of the two options is better. Through this article, you will know the individual features of each of these variants. You will also get informed about what the major differences are between AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd Gen.
What is AirPods Pro 1st Gen?
AirPods Pro 1st Gen is an improved version of the original AirPods. The original AirPods received a lot of negative feedback since it wasn’t sealing the ear canal. The newer and upgraded AirPods Pro 1st Gen not only ensures proper ear canal sealing but also comes with the added advantage of active noise cancellation.
- AirPods Pro comes with three different-sized earbuds and an ear fit test to ensure that it seals the ear canal properly. The ear fit test also tells you whether the noise cancellation feature is working optimally.
- If you lose your AirPods, you can easily find them using your phone with the help of the Find My AirPods feature.
- It also features spatial audio, which imitates the surround sound experience.
- It is integrated with the H1 chip, which controls the noise cancellation feature.
- This model supports SBC and AAC.
- Paired with Bluetooth 5.0.
What is AirPods Pro 2nd Gen?
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen is an even better version of the previously mentioned AirPods Pro 1st Gen. They supposedly have better sound, touch controls, and noise cancellation. A few prominent features of AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are given below.
- It has customized amplifiers and minimum distortion audio drivers, which ensures improved sound clarity.
- You can customize the spatial sound and have a surround sound experience tailored specifically for you.
- It comes with touch controls through which you can play or pause an audio clip, play the previous or next song, or even receive calls without having to reach for your iPhone.
- It comes integrated with the improved H2 chip, which offers 3-D sound along with noise cancellation control.
- This model supports LC3 audio codec.
- Has an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3.
What are the Differences Between AirPods Pro 1st Gen and 2nd Gen?
Although it is clear from the above sections that AirPods Pro 2nd Gen is an improved variant of AirPods Pro 1st Gen, the specific differences based on different parameters between the two AirPods versions are given below.
1. Design
When you look at both the designs, they look fairly similar. They both come in Apple’s standard white color, and their make looks the same as well. However, when you look closely, you will notice that AirPods Pro 2nd Gen has a more rounder appearance when compared to AirPods Pro 1st Gen. This ensures a snug fit in the ear canal.
The charging case of AirPods Pro 2nd Gen looks a bit thinner in comparison to the wider charging case of AirPods Pro 1st Gen. In AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, you can also add personalized text or emoji.
2. Sound Quality
Both AirPods Pro models give a clean and clear sound. However, AirPods Pro 2nd Gen has a greater bass frequency gain in comparison. Overall, AirPods Pro 2nd Gen provides much more sound variations. Unless you are an avid music listener, this difference will not be very prominent.
3. Call Quality
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen truly shines when it comes to the call quality it offers. Its microphone is significantly better at picking up the different sounds and isolating the voice of the speaker. The resultant clarity is really good with all other unwanted background noises canceled out.
4. Noise Cancellation
ANC or active noise cancellation was a feature that was first introduced in AirPods Pro 1st Gen. AirPods Pro 2nd Gen boasts that the effectiveness of ANC it offers is double that of AirPods Pro 1st Gen.
5. Controls
The AirPods Pro 1st Gen gained tremendous success when it was introduced. Apple did not want to steer too much away when it introduced AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. This holds true even in the case of controls. The pressure-sensitive force sensors are the same, and so are the touch controls.
However, there is one significant change in touch controls in AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. Unlike AirPods Pro 1st Gen, AirPods Pro 2nd Gen come with touch controls for varying the volume as well. You can increase or decrease the volume by sliding the stem up and down.
6. Battery Life
With ANC enabled, AirPods Pro 1st Gen gives up to 5 hours of listening time. Whereas AirPods Pro 2nd Gen offers a much better battery life of about 6 hours.
Both versions of Apple AirPods can be charged using Qi-compatible charger, a MagSafe wireless charger, or a lightning cable.
7. Connectivity
AirPods Pro 1st Gen comes with Bluetooth 5.0, while AirPods Pro 2nd Gen comes with Bluetooth 5.3.
The AirPods Pro 2nd Gen also comes with a charging case that is equipped with the U1 chip, which owes to an enhanced precision finding feature in case you lose your AirPods. You can use the Find My AirPods feature to locate your AirPods in both models. However, with the precision finding feature of the U1 chip in AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, you can find your AirPods in close proximity.
8. Adaptive Transparency
The AirPods Pro 2nd Gen comes equipped with an Adaptive Transparency feature. Through this feature, all the additional unwanted sounds and noises in the surroundings can be canceled out efficiently. This feature is missing in AirPods Pro 1st Gen.
9. Fourth Ear Tip
AirPods Pro 1st Gen comes with three different-sized earbuds: S, M, and L, while AirPods Pro 2nd Gen comes with four different-sized earbuds: XS, S, M, and L.
10. Water Resistance
Both the AirPods variants are water resistant with an ipx4 rating. This means that the AirPods can survive sweat and light rain, but they will get damaged if immersed in water.
11. Lanyard Loop
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen comes with a lanyard loop through which it can be attached to your bag or keychain. However, this lanyard loop is absent in AirPods Pro 1st Gen.
12. Price
With the introduction of AirPods Pro 3rd Gen, Apple discontinued the sale of AirPro 1st Gen. If you still want to purchase this, you can find it on third-party websites like Amazon, where it costs around $200.
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen can be purchased directly from the official website of Apple for around $250.
Which One to Choose?
Both the AirPods Pro models are undoubtedly excellent when it comes to sound clarity, noise cancellation, controls, and other features. However, AirPods Pro 2nd Gen has an improved version of each of these features when compared to AirPods Pro 1st Gen. If you do not mind the additional amount of about $50, AirPods Pro 2nd Gen is definitely a better option to pick.
AirPods Pro – FAQs
Ans: When you talk about audio performance, AirPods Pro 2 beats AirPods Pro 1 hands down. While the clarity during calls is great in both the models, AirPods Pro 2 offers better sound, increased fidelity, improved stereo imaging, and improved bass response.
Ans: Yes, AirPods Pro 1 does come with the feature of Active Noise Cancellation. However, AirPods Pro 2 claims to offer double the ANC.
Ans: The average lifespan of AirPods Pro is about 2-3 years. Their lifespan is pretty short due to the use of lithium-ion batteries.
Ans: Yes, both AirPods Pro 1 and AirPods Pro 2 measure 1.22 inches in length, 0.86 inches in width, and 0.94 inches in depth. Both the charging cases are 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches.
Ans: No, AirPods Pro 1 and 2 do not use the same charging case.
Conclusion
By now, you must be clear about all the major differences between AirPods Pro 1st Gen and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. With these differences in mind; you can make a smart choice and go for either of the two models based on your budget and how important the improved features of AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are to you.
