Is it possible that Apple could do it again?
After watching the tech giant's keynote event in September, I wondered if that was the question.
My go-to for long-haul flights has been the first generation AirPods Pro. It was a combination that was hard to beat, especially considering how well integrated they are in the Appleecosystem.
Some travelers prefer to carry around over- ear headphones, such as Apple's AirPods Max, which are significantly bulkier.
The way to go for a lot of travelers is with the AirPods Pro. I wondered if the second- generation model would be worth the investment.
I have an answer after five flights and almost 11,000 miles in the air.
The first generation of the AirPods Pro had an amazing sound experience in a portable package, and the new model takes that to the next level
As a long-time user of Apple's pro-level earbuds, I thought the next- generation buds would be an update in terms of audio quality.
You can sign up for our newsletter.
I was impressed by the upgrade to the active noise cancellation when I put them on.
The new AirPods Pro can process advanced algorithms that weren't previously possible on the first- generation model. The new, more powerful audio driver unlocks more active noise cancellation than the previous generation.
It is possible to put Apple's claims to the test on an airplane.
The noise cancellation was amazing after five flights with the new AirPods Pro. I alternated between my first and second generation Pros on flights to get a sense of the sound quality improvements.
The legacy model had more announcements and passengers than the second- generation buds. The sound quality was even better.
I tried to test the battery life improvements that Apple made with the second- generation AirPods Pro.
During my twotranscontinental flights, I was the most impressed by anything. I need to replenish my buds roughly three quarters of the way through a transcon flight.
The music kept playing until we got to the airport. During my flight from New York to Seattle, I put on my headphones to help me focus on my work.
I played music for the rest of the flight after listening to a podcasts. I had 10% of the charge left on the AirPods Pro.
With a gate-to-gate time of just over six hours, my experience with the second- generation AirPods Pro beat Apple's promise of up to six hours of listening time with the new Pros, which is a one-third increase over the legacy model.
During my transcon flights, the extra 90 minutes of listening time went a long way. The new Pros will give you an additional hour of talk time.
While you could always charge the AirPods Pro when they die, I appreciated being able to listen to my music during my flights without having to stop.
Travelers who are prone to losing things will benefit from the new AirPods Pro.
The lanyard loop on the charging case keeps them connected to your bag.
If you misplace your second-gen AirPods Pro, the new U1 chip in the charging case will give you an accurate look at exactly where they are.
As you get closer, a new speaker in the case can play a sound to help you locate your AirPods, even if they are tucked into your couch or between seats on an airplane.
I'm a person who keeps my headphones in my pocket, but I'm reassured that it wouldn't take long to get them back.
The second- generation AirPods Pro makes it easier to control your sound experience while you are on the go.
The touch area on the stem of the Air Pod has been changed to make it easier to use.
You can adjust the volume on the stem with the addition of a new layer. While holding the stem switches, pressing the stem controls your audio. The settings menu on your device can be used to modify these options.
When important announcements are made and flight attendants come by my row, the new volume sliders come in handy.
I immediately lowered the volume on my AirPods without using my phone or watch. I was able to communicate with the flight crew while listening to the announcement. I could have changed to transparency mode.
Of course, reaching for your phone or simply pausing your audio isn't a problem, but the new volume sliders is a nice feature.
You want to be aware of your surroundings when you listen to audio on your headphones. As you navigate a new city or wait to board a flight, you might want to listen to what's happening around you.
It's important to turn on transparency mode in those instances. The feature will allow you to listen to what is happening around you.
With the introduction of adaptive transparency, the new AirPods Pro will take the transparency mode experience to a whole new level.
When you pass by a loud construction site or a fire alarm, the new AirPods Pro will adjust those noises down to a quieter decibel.
adaptive transparency will kick in for any audio above 85 decibels if you change the accessibility settings on your device. It should help you avoid listening to harmful sounds.
The new AirPods Pro give travelers a reason to ditch their bulky headphones during their travels.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are great for travelers because they fit in your pocket or purse. The entry-level AirPods don't offer active noise cancellation, which is a must-have feature for people who want to zone out when in transit.
The Pros are more expensive than the regular ones. It's worth it if you plan to use your earbuds.
The improved noise cancellation and battery boost headline the travel focused upgrades on the Pros, but additional improvements, such as precision finding, redesigned controls and a new adaptive transparency mode, make these Apple's best travel-friendly earbuds yet.
Those trying to use their earbuds with their seat-back monitors on an airplane still have a problem with the new AirPods. You will still need to pack a dongle if you want to use the newest jets.
The new Pros offer a number of worthwhile improvements. It can't hurt to get the next- generation earbuds on your holiday wish list.
Who doesn't know? Santa may be giving more than usual this year.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
