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Second-Gen AirPods Pro Double the Noise Cancellation

Apple's second-gen AirPods Pro arrive on Sept. 23 for $249.

 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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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.

second gen airpods pro

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.

airpods pro charging via apple watch charger

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.

personalized spatial audio

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.

earbud tips

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 they land in stores on Sept. 23. Apple is offering free engraving, including the option to add your memoji, which is also available for the second- and third-gen AirPods.

For more, check out our hands-on with the new AirPods Pro and the video below:

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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