Apple has once again managed to surprise fans with an unexpectedly released new product. This time it was announced that new wireless in-ear headphones will go on sale - AirPods Pro. But relatively recently, in March 2019, the second generation of the device was presented. Apple heard the voices of the few dissatisfied and carried out “work on the mistakes.” AirPods Pro have a new design, noise reduction and water protection.
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AirPods Pro design
The updated design became the basis for the appearance of a device of a completely different class. AirPods Pro are made absolutely comfortable to fit in the ear cavity. Moreover, owners will also receive three replaceable silicone ear pads in sizes S, M and L. They are easy to fix on the headset.
This way, anyone can choose the earbuds that are comfortable for themselves. This will allow you to concentrate on the feeling of the music, not the device in your ear. Inside each earbud there is a special conical cavity that allows you to adapt to the geometry of the ear and fit better into it. The color of the headphones is white; the black version predicted by insiders has not appeared on sale.
At the bottom of the headphones there is a pressure sensor, which allows you to both control music and calls, and switch from active noise reduction to Transparent mode and vice versa (more details below).
The external microphone is covered with a mesh, which allows the sound to remain clear even in windy conditions.
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How AirPods Wireless work
It may seem that AirPods are ordinary wireless headphones with a headset, which for some reason are unreasonably expensive. But this is only at first glance. In fact, this is a revolutionary invention by Apple. Some have already noted that these are not just good, but the best wireless headphones. And in order to know how to distinguish original AirPods from fakes, it is important to be aware of some of the features of the gadget.
Content:
- How AirPods Wireless work
- Design Features
- What are the advantages
- What devices and OS are compatible?
- How to manage
- Battery quality
- Won't they get lost?
- Final word
The AirPods package includes a pair of headphones, a charging case, a Lightning cable, operating instructions and a warranty. The peculiarity of the headset is that it consists of a pair of headphones with a built-in microphone and a magnetic case, which serves as a case and charger for the gadget. The case itself is recharged according to the same principle as in the iPhone or iPad - through the Lightning connector.
AirPods Pro dimensions
The headphones have become noticeably shorter - only 30.9 mm instead of 40.5 for AirPods 2. But at the same time, their width has increased - it is now 21.8 mm instead of 16.5 mm for its predecessor. AirPods Pro are also thicker – 24 mm instead of 18 mm. The new headset also weighs more than its predecessor - 5.4 grams instead of 4 for AirPods 2.
The shape and size of the headphones also affected the size of the charging case. It has become noticeably longer - 60.6 mm versus 44.3 mm, but at the same time lower - 45.2 mm versus 53.5 mm. The thickness remained almost the same - 21.7 mm versus 21.3 mm for its predecessor. The weight of the case has also changed slightly - 45.6 g versus 40 g. The design itself remains the same - the charging indicator is present and located in the same place.
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Final word
AirPods Wireless is one of the most exciting gadgets created by Apple. The headphones' compact size and high comfort factor are a winning combination. And summing up the advantages of AirPods, we can confidently say that they:
- lightweight and easy to use;
- easily pair with different devices (not only from Apple);
- provide excellent sound quality;
- provide reliable wireless communication;
- distinguished by a fashionable design in a minimalist style;
- equipped with a long-life battery.
And, perhaps, the only thing holding back AirPods from mass use is their price. But this is Apple - the king of style and quality! And a king cannot be cheap.
AirPods Pro Sound (Active Noise Cancellation and Transparent Mode)
The main feature of this product is active noise cancellation, which allows you to provide immersive sound, an immersive effect. For this, two microphones are used. External detects external sounds and analyzes nearby noises. AirPods Pro compensates for them with a return sound wave of the same amplitude before being sent to the speaker. And inside the earphone there is a second microphone, which is responsible for removing residual noise using a reverse sound wave.
The active noise reduction function is responsible for the continuous analysis of sounds, doing this 200 times per second. The adaptive equalizer automatically adjusts the low and mid frequencies in accordance with the geometry of the device owner's ear. AirPods Pro features a dedicated high dynamic range amplifier that delivers crisp, clear sound while saving battery power. A special driver with wide amplitude and low distortion is responsible for the rich sound of bass (up to 20 Hz) and the detail of high and mid frequencies.
Background noise is compensated by the driver using an amplifier, and the H1 chip regulates the volume.
Pressing the bottom of the case switches from Active Noise Canceling mode to Transparent mode. This will make it possible to perceive not only music, but also external sounds, and in a natural form. This mode will allow you to hear transport while walking or an announcement while riding in transport.
Transparent mode uses a pressure equalization system, and the software dampens only the required amount of noise.
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How to manage
Everyone knows that usually to listen to music on any gadget, you need at least three buttons: to turn it on/off, adjust the volume, and switch audio tracks. AirPods don't have buttons. How then to control the gadget? Easily! This smart device will automatically understand when it’s time to turn on.
A special feature of this unique headset is the absence of an on/off button. And in this way, the headphones are somewhat reminiscent of the third generation iPod Shuffle, which was also devoid of buttons and was controlled remotely.
You just need to open the case cover for the AirPods to turn on. But the music won't start playing until the earbuds are in your ears. And this fiction has a technical explanation. The gadget's smart system is equipped with infrared sensors. Thanks to them, the headphones wake up from sleep mode as soon as they are placed in the ears, and immediately turn off if they are removed from the ears.
And to skip one or more audio tracks, or adjust the sound volume, you will need to activate Siri (this is done by double-clicking on one of the headphones), and then clearly say the command.
The operating principle and the entire gadget control system are very well thought out from start to finish. Users have already said: this is one of Apple's best inventions. With the advent of AirPods, Apple's slogan: “It just works” received a new meaning.
Siri
A miniature microphone is built into the end of each earbud, which allows you to use AirPods for phone calls.
Siri is another innovation in Apple headphones. The virtual assistant is launched by double-clicking on the earphone. You can manage programs in the same way. That is why the gadget does not have any buttons for regulating the sound volume or for “rewinding” tracks. Now you just need to give the appropriate command to your virtual assistant. But you need to know that Siri does not work without an Internet connection, and commands should be spoken loudly and clearly.
And more good news: Siri is useful for more than just playing music. You can ask a smart assistant, for example, how to get to a certain address, but in this case the answer will not be heard in the headphones, but will be shown on the screen.
Autonomy (battery) AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro headphones can be charged wirelessly. The wireless charging case of a new form makes it possible, with periodic recharging, to use the headphones for more than a day in audio listening mode and more than 18 hours in talk mode. Moreover, the case is compatible with Qi standard chargers. In offline mode, AirPods Pro can work up to 4.5 hours. Just 5 minutes of recharging in the case will allow the device to work for another full hour.
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Sound quality and battery life
The main problem with wireless headphones is not the best quality sound due to the presence of background noise. AirPods also have a similar feature, but only when using the gadget on third-party operating systems. When connected to Apple gadgets, this problem disappears completely, and you can enjoy clear sound. By the way, the sound quality when playing music from a watch or other Apple device is no different from using a smartphone as a music source.
AirPods create good sound, considering that these are simple wireless earbuds that do not strive to become a favorite device for audiophiles. The user receives smooth sound, with clear low, mid, and high frequencies. Even when playing tracks at high volumes, the sound remains clear and rich.
Apple's AirPods can be used for up to 5 hours without interruption. If you need to recharge, you need to connect the gadget to the smart case; it extends the life of AirPods by 24 hours. If you place the earbuds in the case for just 15 minutes, this is enough to extend the work for another 3 hours.
Calls
When using headphones, any incoming calls will automatically ring through them. If you need to call someone yourself, when dialing a number on your smartphone, you can choose how the call will be made - through wireless airpods headphones or the usual way, through the iPhone speaker.
If you receive an incoming call while listening to music through AirPods, you can answer it by double-clicking your finger on any of the wireless headphones; this control gesture is called double-tap. In the same way, you can end a call or switch to the next incoming call.
When you use Apple as a headset with your iPhone, you get clear sound, and the person you're talking to can hear you perfectly, too. But if you connect AirPods to a smartphone running a different operating system, the sound quality of the call may deteriorate for both you and the person you are talking to.
Control gestures
The only control gesture that AirPods supports is double tap. This gesture works on each of the two wireless headphones. The following commands can be assigned to this movement:
- Activating the voice assistant.
- Play, pause audio content.
- Move to the next track.
- Return to the previous track.
- Mute playing audio content.
To set up a control gesture, you need to go to the Bluetooth menu, tap on the connected headset, select one of the headphones, and configure it.
There is an important nuance here. Since you can only assign one control gesture to one earphone, you have to choose. Most often, you select “Go to the next track” for one earphone, and “Return to the previous track” for the second. There is no point in selecting “mute music”, since it is already paused when the Apple earphone is removed from the ear.
Waterproof AirPods Pro
Protection against sweat and water is implemented according to the IPX4 standard, which does not imply complete waterproofness of the device . But drops and splashes of AirPods Pro are not scary.
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AirPods Pro sensors
The list of sensors included in the device itself makes it clear how high-tech this compact device is:
- dual directional microphones;
- internal microphone;
- dual optical sensors;
- motion recognition accelerometer;
- voice activity detection accelerometer;
- pressure sensor.
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Controlling AirPods Pro
From now on, playback can be controlled from any headphone using a pressure sensor located at the bottom of the device.
- press once to start or stop playback or answer a call;
- press twice to skip to next song;
- press three times to return to the previous song;
- press and hold to switch from Active Noise Cancellation to Transparent Mode and vice versa;
- Say “Hey Siri” to play a track, make a call, or create a route.
Won't they get lost?
This is probably the first and main question that Apple users ask before buying AirPods. Moreover, many users did not succeed in making friends with the previous version of EarPods - the device often fell out of their ears. And if you take a closer look at both pairs of gadgets, you cannot help but notice the similarities between their forms. And if EarPods fell out of your ears, does that mean the same should be expected from AirPods? Not really! EarPods are equipped with wires that serve as weight for the gadget, causing it to fall out of the ear. In the case of AirPods, even with intense head movements, the earbuds will stay in place.
AirPods Pro performance and connectivity
AirPods Pro is a high-tech device that operates on the System in Package architecture with a unique H1 chip. It is he who is responsible for the operation of all functions of the device - from audio playback to communication with Siri. The Apple-developed chip has already proven itself successfully in AirPods 2 (2019), showing a stable connection and low signal latency. The 10 cores of the chip allow noise reduction to actively work in real time. Connection to other devices is based on Bluetooth 5.0.
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What are the advantages
If you compare how much EarPods and AirPods cost, the price of the two gadgets differs by almost 5 times. And this fact worries many. “Well, what could be special about this headset for it to cost so much money?” - many skeptics ask. But there is an explanation for this. Many observers from different countries who know the differences between both headphone models have already admitted: AirPods are worth every penny of the stated price. Now let’s look for confirmation of this.
Sound quality
The first and, perhaps, the most important characteristic that influences the choice of headphones is sound quality. In AirPods it is excellent: clear and loud. And by the way, much better than conventional headsets with wires offered for iPhones. These revolutionary headphones can work in stereo and mono mode (if you use only one earbud).
Even compared to EarPods, this generation sounds noticeably better. The first gadget produces a flatter sound, AirPods are well balanced with an adequate amount of low frequencies. And this plus (and not only this) was also noted in his detailed review by CNET senior editor Scott Stein.
And one moment. As already mentioned, AirPods do not have silicone tips usually found in vacuum headphones. And this can also be attributed to the advantages of the gadget. Thanks to this, AirPods, unlike vacuum models, allow you to maintain a certain level of connection with the outside world even while listening to loud music. This means that by placing AirPods in your ears, a person will not be in complete sound isolation. This is especially convenient if you use the device while walking down the street (after all, walking without hearing absolutely nothing that is happening around is dangerous).
Easy to connect
Many people know that standard Bluetooth headphones, although they are expensive, are usually not of high quality. Yes, and sometimes they connect for too long. But with the release of AirPods, Apple made a real revolution. AirPods, as is already clear, also connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth. But that's where the similarities with other wireless headphones end.
For this Apple creation to work, it requires a special program and a W1 processor that will allow AirPods to connect to a specific smartphone. And it's all. Now you just need to open the case with the headphones so that a window appears on the phone screen asking you to turn on the headphones.
Plus, AirPods are more reliable than other Bluetooth devices. Apple's proprietary processor ensures flawless connection and stutter-free sound.
Another amazing ability is the incredible connection range. Apple headphones pick up a signal even when 50 meters away from the phone. This means that you can charge your smartphone and walk around the house or office with just headphones, listening to music and answering calls.
AirPods Pro compatibility
The device is compatible with iPhone models starting from iPhone SE, 6s. AirPods Pro will work with iPads starting with the Air 2 and iPad mini 4, as well as the seventh generation iPod touch. The headphones are compatible with all Apple Watch series, as well as Apple TV 4K and HD. AirPods Pro will work with most Mac computers and laptops released after 2012.
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