Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Luxshare (on contract) |
Product family | AirPods |
Type | Wireless in-ear headphones |
Release date |
|
Introductory price |
|
Discontinued | September 7, 2022 (1st generation) |
System on a chip | |
Input | AirPods (each) Dual beam-forming microphones, dual optical sensors, accelerometer |
Connectivity | AirPods (each) Bluetooth 5 (1st generation) Bluetooth 5.3 (2nd generation) 5 GHz radio (2nd generation SKUs after September 22, 2023) Charging case Lightning port (1st generation, 2nd generation SKUs before September 22, 2023) USB-C port (2nd generation SKUs after September 22, 2023) Qi MagSafe (1st-generation SKUs after October 2021, 2nd generation) Apple Watch charger (2nd generation) Ultra-wideband (2nd generation) |
Current firmware | 1st gen: 6A300[1] (September 18, 2023) 2nd gen: 6B34 (USB-C) 6B34 (Lightning)[2] (December 5, 2023) |
Dimensions | AirPods: (each) 0.86 x 0.94 x 1.22 in (21.8 x 24 x 30.9 mm) Charging case: 1.78 x 0.85 x 2.39 in (45.2 x 21.7 x 60.6 mm)[3] |
Mass | AirPods (each) 0.19 ounces (5.4 g) Charging case 1.61 ounces (45.6 g) |
Website | apple.com/airpods-pro |
AirPods Pro are wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones designed by Apple, initially introduced on October 30, 2019.[4][5] They are Apple's mid-range wireless headphones, available alongside the base-level AirPods and the highest-end AirPods Max.
The first-generation AirPods Pro use the H1 chip, also found in the second-generation AirPods. Notable additions include active noise cancellation, transparency mode, automated frequency profile adjustment, IPX4 water resistance, a charging case supporting wireless charging, and interchangeable silicone ear tips.[6]
In September 2022, Apple announced the second-generation AirPods Pro. The newer iteration incorporates the H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, improved sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities, an extended battery life, volume adjusting gestures, support Find My tracking, provide compatibility with Apple Watch chargers, and extra-small sized ear tips. A revision in 2023 added IP54 dust resistance, support for lossless audio in conjunction with the Apple Vision Pro, and a USB-C charging case.
Models
First generation
Apple announced AirPods Pro on October 28, 2019, and released them two days later on October 30, 2019.[6] They include features of standard AirPods, such as a microphone that filters out background noise, accelerometers and optical sensors that can detect presses on the stem and in-ear placement, and automatic pausing when they are taken out of the ears. Control by tapping is replaced by pressing a force sensor on the stems.[7] They are rated IPX4 for water resistance.[3]
The AirPods Pro use the H1 chip also found in the second and third-generation AirPods, that supports hands-free "Hey Siri". They have active noise cancellation, accomplished by microphones detecting outside sound and speakers producing precisely opposite "anti-noise". Active noise cancellation can be turned off or switched to "transparency mode" that helps users hear surroundings. Noise cancellation modes can also be switched in iOS or by pinching the stems of the AirPods using the force sensor.[8]
The H1 chip is embedded in a unique system in a package (SiP) module enclosing several other components, such as the audio processor and accelerometers.[9]
Battery life is rated to be equal to the second-generation AirPods at five hours, but noise cancellation or transparency mode reduce it to 4.5 hours due to the extra processing.[10] The charging case advertises the same 24 hours of total listening time as the standard AirPods case. It also features Qi standard wireless charging compatibility.[10] In October 2021, Apple updated the bundled charging case with MagSafe.[11] Like AirPods, AirPods Pro have received criticism for their battery life.[12]
AirPods Pro come with three sizes of silicone tips. There is a software test in iOS called the Ear Tip Fit Test that "[checks] the fit of your AirPods ear tips to determine which size provides the best seal and acoustic performance" to ensure a correct fit, as well as a feature called "Adaptive EQ" which automatically adjusts the frequency contour, claimed to better match the wearer's ear shape.[6] Starting in early 2020, Apple started selling tip replacements for AirPods Pro on their website.[13]
With iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple added a spatial audio mode designed to simulate 5.1 surround sound. Supported apps include the Apple TV app, Disney+, HBO Max and Netflix.[14][15] Spatial audio requires an iPhone or iPad with an Apple A10 processor or newer.[16] tvOS 15 brought spatial audio to the Apple TV 4K.[17]
iOS 14 also added the ability to apply headphone accommodations to transparency mode, allowing the AirPods Pro to act as rudimentary hearing aids.[18] In October 2021, a new Conversation Boost mode was added as a customization of the regular Transparency mode. It boosts voices above background noise and music.[19]
Second generation
The second-generation AirPods Pro were announced at an Apple media event on September 7, 2022, and were released on September 23, 2022. They use an updated H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and feature improved sound quality and noise cancellation, and longer battery life. They also include extra-small sized ear tips, and AirPods support swiping up and down to adjust volume. Ear tips are physically compatible with first generation AirPods Pro as they use the same connector, but Apple notes the second generation ear tips use a less dense mesh and recommends against intermixing them for acoustical consistency.[20][21]
The charging case includes the Apple U1 chip that supports Find My tracking, and includes a speaker for locating and status updates. In addition to Lightning, Qi and MagSafe chargers, it is also compatible with Apple Watch chargers. A lanyard loop was also added to the side of the case.[22][23]
In September 2023, Apple updated the second-generation AirPods Pro with improved IP54 dust resistance, an updated H2 chip that supports the 5 GHz band for lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro, and a charging case with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.[24][25] In iOS 17 and onwards, Apple has updated a few new functions for the second-generation model (both types of charging ports): "Adaptive Audio" dynamically blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation to tailor the noise control experience as the user moves between changing environments and interactions throughout the day; "Press" to answer/mute/end a call; "Personalized volume" uses machine learning to fine-tune the content enjoyment experience based on user preferences over time and surroundings; "Conversation awareness" automatically lowers the volume of what the user is listening to, reduces background noise, and improves voice audio if the user starts talking to someone nearby.[26]
Compatibility
Support for AirPods Pro was added in iOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, tvOS 13.2, and macOS Catalina 10.15.1.[10][8] They are compatible with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Windows and Android devices, although certain features such as automatic switching between devices and single-AirPod listening [27] are only available on Apple devices using its iCloud service.
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See also
References
- ↑ "About firmware updates for AirPods". Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- ↑ "About firmware updates for AirPods". Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- 1 2 "AirPods Pro - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ↑ Axon, Samuel (October 28, 2019). "Apple announces AirPods Pro". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ↑ Welch, Chris (October 28, 2019). "Apple announces AirPods Pro with noise cancellation, coming October 30th". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "AirPods Pro". Apple. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ↑ Cipriani, Jason. "The 9 new AirPods Pro tricks you need to master now". CNET. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- 1 2 Mihalcik, Carrie. "AirPods Pro are $249, might actually fit in your ears and available Oct. 30". CNET. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ↑ Dube, Belinda (March 11, 2020). "Advanced System in Package Technology in the Apple AirPods Pro" (PDF). System Plus Consulting. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- 1 2 3 Lee, Dami (October 28, 2019). "Apple releases iOS 13.2 with support for AirPods Pro and iPhone 11 Deep Fusion". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ↑ "AirPods Pro Now Available With MagSafe Charging Case for Same $249 Price". MacRumors. October 18, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ↑ Eadicicco, Lisa. "Samsung is launching a new pair of wireless earbuds, and it sounds like they will have one big advantage over Apple's AirPods". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ↑ Statt, Nick (April 15, 2020). "Apple now sells AirPods Pro tip replacements on its website". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ↑ "Which Apple Devices and Video Services Support 'Spatial Audio' on AirPods Pro?". Lifehacker Australia. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ↑ Miller, Chance (August 18, 2021). "Netflix now rolling out Spatial Audio support on iPhone and iPad". 9 to 5 Mac. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ↑ "Listen with spatial audio for AirPods Pro". Apple Support. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ↑ Espósito, Filipe (June 16, 2021). "Comment: tvOS 15 is a small update, but it brings two important new features to Apple TV". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ↑ Bailey, Abram. "AirPods Pro Become Hearing Aids in iOS 14". Hearing Tracker. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ↑ Campbell, Ian Carlos (October 6, 2021). "AirPods Pro can help you hear conversations better after recent firmware update". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ↑ "Apple Explains Why Second-Generation AirPods Pro Ear Tips Are Incompatible With Original AirPods Pro". MacRumors. September 22, 2022. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ↑ "Apple says old and new AirPods Pro ear tips are incompatible because of mesh density". The Verge. September 23, 2022. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ↑ Welch, Chris (September 7, 2022). "Apple's new AirPods Pro can cancel twice as much noise". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ↑ "Apple announces the next-generation of AirPods Pro". Apple Newsroom. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ↑ Welch, Chris (September 12, 2023). "Apple is switching the AirPods Pro charging case to USB-C". The Verge. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ↑ "Apple Explains Why Only USB-C AirPods Pro Support Lossless Audio With Vision Pro". MacRumors. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ↑ "iOS 17". Apple. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Do AirPods Work Well on Android Devices?". MacRumors. January 19, 2022.
- ↑ "Vintage and obsolete products". Apple.
- ↑ Included for comparison purposes
- 1 2 3 "iPhone Bluetooth Headset – Specs, Release Date, and Original Price". August 14, 2020.
- ↑ "AirPods (1st generation) – Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ↑ "What's the difference between AirPods 1 and AirPods 2?". iMore. January 22, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ↑ "Set up AirPods Max with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices". Apple Support. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- 1 2 "Get started with AirPods (3rd generation)". support.apple.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
External links
- AirPods Pro – official site