What is remarkable about Air Pods Pro? Review of wireless headphones from Apple

At the end of last fall, Apple abruptly and without any announcements presented the new Air Pods Pro wireless headphones, the advantages and disadvantages of which we will consider in this article. As a rule, a corporation does this with small upgrades - when, for example, the next generation of an existing device differs only in performance parameters and other insignificant details.

In the case of new headphones, in fact, everything is not so. The appearance has changed, functionality has been added and controls have been changed. In the framework of this material, we will understand the extent to which all these innovations turned out to be successful.

Positioning

Apple's signature AirPods are the most sought-after wireless earbuds in the world. They are positioned as completely wireless (True Wireless).In addition, this is a special model that works in tandem not only with the iPhone, but also with phones based on the Android operating system.

The first version was a hit. By the release of the second version, the model has acquired a huge number of rivals eating away their share, but even their total sales are far from Air Pods. Recognizable appearance, plastic materials in white colors - this model has become an indicator of modernity and an expression of a specific status.

In all contexts, Apple's headphones are a social phenomenon, especially when you consider that their sound quality is far superior when compared to competing market positions. Something similar happened with wired Ear Pods. They were uncomfortable to wear, the sound quality left much to be desired, but they were eagerly purchased and shown to users who did not have an iPhone.

It was a demonstration use and even a kind of cargo cult, in which recognition was identified with the presence of an “expensive” gadget, because it was this that made it possible to understand that the user also had some version of the iPhone.

There are a huge number of examples in history when a super-famous product instantly won the hearts of consumers, but at the same time lost its own demand, as it became too famous.

With Air Pods, this has already begun to happen, as headphone sales peaked last fall. By the way, Apple's contribution to this is incommensurable. It is worth remembering that Apple's top management is trying to take the limit of its capabilities from the market and raises the price tags, in the truest sense of the word, for all gadgets.

Headphones are no exception, so the release of advanced Air Pods with support for wireless charging can be considered a hidden price increase. Rivals have long integrated wireless charging into cases, while Apple has demanded 5,000 rubles for such a case, including taxes. As an alternative, the "apple" company offered users to buy sets with such a case for 12,700 rubles.

Specifications

Equipment

The kit includes:

• headphones;
• charging case;
• Lightning to USB Type-C adapter;
• silicone inserts in 3 sizes;
• user's manual.

The model is sold in a compact white box. In the box, everything is placed in the style of Apple Corporation. It is worth noting that the case is a wireless type, but it has a Lightning port, so users can recharge the model via a cord.

In addition, there is an adapter from Lightning to USB Type C, which was a pleasant surprise.To charge in this way, users will need a charger from the iPhone or a modern laptop with such a port.

Directly charging a device in an iPhone case is unrealistic, since the most expensive phone in the world does not have wireless reverse charging, and there is also no way to connect a cord and recharge the case from the battery.

Appearance and ergonomic features

The appearance of the model is easily recognizable, so it cannot be confused with other devices. The charging case is rather small, its dimensions are 61x45 mm, and the weight is 46 g, so it fits easily into a pants pocket.

The case has an indicator that is activated during the charging process, and when the headphones are fully charged, the indicator changes from yellow to green. It is possible to open the case with one hand, but it is literally impossible to remove the headphones with one hand. The thing is, they are magnetized.

Interesting information! If you turn the case upside down, the headphones will not fall out.

It is noteworthy that the updated form factor of the model is such that the headphones have to be hooked. This is done with 2 hands, and it is uncomfortable. By the way, the roundish body of the glossy type headphones does not simplify this task.

Expert opinion! The ergonomics of the model is the worst when comparing all TWS type headphones.

In the first generation of Air Pods, there were no silicone inserts. There was only 1 earpiece size, which, most often, did not cover the ear canal well. In the model we are considering, for the first time, silicone earbuds were provided for the headphones, which are selected individually for each person.

Interesting information! Air Pods Pro themselves calculate if the user has chosen the wrong earbuds.

The model has a pressure sensor, which is used not only to control the sound. The fact is that the device is equipped with a system that prevents excessive pressure in the ear canal. This is indeed a useful technology that most competitors do not have.

Hardware platform

Apple Corporation simply loves unification, and therefore all the latest generation headphones are based on the same chipset - H1. Compared to the previous processor, this one has voice command processing. Simply put, users have the opportunity to use the voice assistant Siri, but she, one way or another, accesses the connected smartphone.

There is no NFC in the device and case, there is only Bluetooth 5 version. Since Apple's basic audio codec is AAC, it is built in by default (connection with devices running on iOS is done exclusively with it). For devices that do not have this codec, or for some reason it is incorrectly supported, an ordinary SBC codec is provided. Audio playback control and the ability to answer calls are in the stalks. Users have the option to click on them. By the way, it does not matter at all which earpiece you press - left or right.

Important! One touch - play, two - the next track, three - the previous track.

You can answer calls by pressing. If you hold down the button, the noise reduction mode or the sound purity mode will turn on. Most users liked the way the controls are done. It is understandable on an intuitive level and seems simple.At first, of course, it is unusual, but after getting acquainted with it, the user will immediately get used to it. Those people who want to use 1 earphone are given the opportunity to set this parameter in the settings. This will allow you to answer calls and use the microphone.

Interesting information! If the owner for some reason did not put one of the headphones in the case, the headphones will notify about this.

Noise suppression and sound clarity

The performance of the noise reduction function was of most interest to Apple fans, since this is the main innovation in this model. The device was tested in the subway, street conditions and on the plane. It should be noted right away that compact plugs, by definition, are not capable of guaranteeing a degree of noise suppression similar to full-size devices. This is primarily due to the dimensions, as well as the need to install a powerful chip and microphones.

Interesting information! The first headphones to integrate noise cancellation are Sony's WF-1000XM3. This is a direct rival for the model we are reviewing.

We will not compare these gadgets, but it is worth highlighting that the Sony model has a more thoughtful and flexible noise suppression system that monitors the user's movement, the environment around him, and they also have the ability to adjust them "for themselves."

The developers of Apple Corporation considered the above to be unnecessary. The model we are considering has an adaptive equalizer, but no settings are provided to the user.

Important! The equalizer is enabled by default.

How the equalizer functions is unknown to anyone, but users are told that it is. You can’t turn it off, so it’s also not possible to feel the differences.From the point of view of how noise suppression functions, there are practically no questions.

In the urban environment, extraneous noises are removed, in an airplane the device tries to normalize the sound level, becoming louder, but it does not sound as high quality as full-size devices. The purity of the sound allows the owner to hear the surrounding sounds, which is necessary if, for example, a person moves along a city street and does not want to completely cut himself off from the outside world.

According to experts, the quality of noise suppression is average, but for such compact plugs, this is an excellent indicator.

Autonomy and charging

In iOS, during connection, the user sees the remaining percentage of charge for both the headphones (each separately) and the case. Representatives of the "apple" company say that the autonomy of the device with activated noise suppression at a volume level of 50% is 4.5 hours.

Important! The time interval mentioned is different on iOS and Android devices.

The charging case makes it possible to recharge the device a certain number of times, so the total autonomy is a day. According to experts, such indicators are quite enough to walk with the device for several days. For 5 minutes of recharging, the user gets the opportunity to use the headphones for about an hour. Charging the wireless type takes about one and a half to two hours, but here everything is in the memory. Restoring a charge through a cable using a PC is slightly faster. So, in 35-40 minutes, the batteries will recover to 70%, but after that the process slows down.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that these are headphones designed for the city and for everyday wear.Given that they have the usual sound quality, which makes it impossible to listen to your favorite tracks properly, these are good headphones for podcasting and talking on the phone.

With the latter, by the way, there are also nuances - since the stem was shortened, and the microphones are the same as they were. Consequently, the device transmits voice worse when compared with the first generation of Air Pods. The differences are not critical, but tangible.

• active noise suppression function;
• clear sound mode;
• supports work with the voice assistant Siri.

• overpriced, according to users, the cost;
• you need to get used to the management;
• earplugs.

Attention! The above information does not serve as a call to purchase. Be sure to consult with a specialist before purchasing Apple Air Pods Pro wireless headphones.