AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

The best AirPods Apple has ever made

- NICK ODANTZIS

It's been a long time coming, but Apple has finally released the next generation of its flagship in-ear headphones: AirPods Pro. We've been happily using the originals for the last couple of years, but when the Beats Pro came out last year and really impressed us - it was evident that the AirPods Pro (1st generation) were due a refresh.

Visually, the new AirPods Pro share a lot in common with their older counterparts - in fact both headphones and case are virtually identical, apart from some minor differences, which we'll come onto a bit later. This isn't a bad thing, as we loved the look and feel of the original, but if you're looking for a radical redesign, then you won't find it here. What you will find is a slew of important upgrades under the hood that make a meaningful difference to the listening experience.

At the heart of these internal changes is the introduction of the H2 chip, replacing the ageing H1. This new, more potent chip powers all the new technologies, and is largely responsible for the significant improvement across the board, which Apple says uses "computational algorithims to deliver even smarter noise cancellation, superior-three dimensional sound, and more efficient battery life".

The AirPods Pro (1st gen) always impressed with their ability to magically supress outside sounds, but Apple has somehow managed to improve upon this. That's mainly down to the relocation of the acoustic vent and microphones, but also due to the H2 chip which gives the new AirPods Pro 2x more active noise cancelation (ANC). Though we can't quantify this, there's definitely a substantial improvement. We tested over the course of a few days with some building work going on right next to our office, and we were able to work in relative peace.