Second-Gen AirPods Pro Double the Noise Cancellation

pcmag.com:

Apple today unveiled its second-gen AirPods Pro, which arrive on Sept. 23 for $249.

The updated true wireless earbuds bump the chip from Apple's H1 to H2, and feature a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier to allow for "more detail and clarity across a wider range of sound frequencies," Apple said at its Wednesday event.

Apple is also promising double the amount of noise cancellation over the original AirPods Pro thanks to the "optimized placement" of its acoustic vent and microphones. When the earbuds are using adaptive transparency, which allows some noise in, the second-gen AirPods Pro will dynamically reduce harsh noises like street construction.

Personalized spatial audio, meanwhile, will allow for a more customized listening experience, Apple says, when used in combination with iOS 16 and the iPhone's TrueDepth camera.

For those who have trouble keeping their AirPods in their ears, Apple is adding an extra-small ear tip option for the second-gen AirPods Pro.

For controlling music and podcasts, the buds get a capacitive sensing layer that allows for volume control by swiping up and down.

Apple promises up to six hours of listening time from a single charge, a 33% increase over the original AirPods Pro and their 4.5-hour battery. With the charging case, you get 30 hours of total listening time, a six-hour bump, Apple says. You can also juice up the charging case wirelessly via an Apple Watch or MagSafe charger. A lanyard loop can also help you keep tabs on the case.

Worried about losing that case? The new AirPods Pro case includes a speaker on the bottom that will help you find it. The noise will also indicate pairing and low battery.

Pre-order the second-gen AirPods Pro starting on Sept. 9 before