Apple now has several AirPods to choose from, including the second generation AirPods (or AirPods 2) and AirPods Pro, both released in 2019. If you have a pair of original Apple wireless earbuds, you might be wondering if you should upgrade to the AirPods 2. Here is a breakdown of the differences between the latest AirPods and the first generation models.
Do you want to upgrade your wireless earbuds? Find out if Apple is worth checking out AirPods Pro with noise cancellation or PowerBeats Pro.
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The second generation AirPods look pretty much identical to the originals. They do offer some incremental updates, however, including the option to buy them with a wireless charging case for $ 199 (£ 199, AU $ 319). You also get an upgrade to Apple's H1 chip, which promises faster connection times to get started.
You can also call Siri with your voice instead of tapping the AirPod, which allows you to adjust the volume or make a call completely hands-free. Like the original AirPods, they have sensors that detect when the pod is in your ear. Music sounds similar on both models, although according to Apple the AirPods 2 have a custom audio architecture that offers better sound quality thanks to the new H1 chip.
This chip also provides a more stable connection to your device than the original AirPods and enables faster switching between active devices such as the iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
They are priced at the same price as the first-generation AirPods at $ 159 (£ 159, AU $ 249). However, you also have the option of buying them with the wireless charging case as mentioned earlier. All cases (wireless charging or not) can still be charged via Lightning as well. Read our Apple AirPods 2019 review.
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The original AirPods, which were first released in 2016, externally look the same as the second-generation models. They also have the exact same fit that they have in your ear rather than the in-ear interchangeable tip design of the AirPods Pro.
Due to their open design, the original AirPods and AirPods 2 allow outside noise. This means you may need to turn up the volume to listen to music, calls, or podcasts if you are in a noisy environment. However, this will help you stay more aware of your surroundings.
While the original AirPods are no longer available direct from Apple, you may be able to purchase them from other retailers for far less than the original price of $ 159 (£ 159, AU $ 249). Plus, they're backwards compatible with the AirPods wireless charging case, so you can make your older earbuds look a little newer for $ 79 (£ 79, AU $ 129). Read our Apple AirPods review.
AirPods 2 vs. AirPods: what's the difference?
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