There is no doubt that the 2nd generation AirPods Pro are better than the original model. They cost the same and look the same, but three years of technological advancements have also made their way into Apple’s high-end wireless headphones. They sound much better, have better noise cancellation and a superior transparency mode. Oh, and the battery lasts longer.
But are they good enough to warrant a new purchase? If you already have the original AirPods Pro, should you run for the upgraded model? We help you make a decision that makes sense.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Why You Shouldn’t Replace Your 1st Gen AirPods Pro
Basically, the 2nd Gen AirPods Pro don’t do anything about the originals, they just sound better and last longer. The Find My function is inserted in the case, so you can find it even if the headphones are not inside. Its speaker will emit a sound to help you locate it.
The sound quality is better. Noise cancellation is better. Transparency mode is better. Battery life is longer.
If you just spent $200 on some AirPods Pro on sale, running around and spending about $250 more just to get what you already have, only better, isn’t really the wisest way to spend your money.
At the very least, if you feel like you’re really missing out, you should wait until the new AirPods Pro offer a discount as well.
For the past two years, it’s been pretty easy to find AirPods Pro (the 1st-gen model) at up to 20% off. The 2nd gen version is still new enough not to be on sale, but you won’t have to wait long.
Without a new differentiating feature, there’s no reason to replace your AirPods Pro with new ones. Maybe next year Apple will add a new feature to the AirPods Pro that requires Bluetooth 5.3 or the H2 chip, which would make it clearer to distinguish between the original and the new model.
Why You Should Replace Your 1st Gen AirPods Pro
Maybe you’ve had your AirPods Pro for about two years and use them almost daily. You rely on their convenience and fast connection, as well as how seamlessly they switch from playing music from your iPhone on the go to connecting to your Mac at work.
But two years of constant use and recharging have put a strain on the battery, which now lasts just three hours. And while you like the noise canceling feature, you wish it worked better, as it does in some newer headphones.
The new AirPods Pro are the perfect candidate to replace your current model. You’ve used them well and you know you’re going to use them every day. Remember that since the 1st generation model is no longer sold on Apple’s website, some stores are still selling it, so be sure to purchase the newer model.
Why should you replace your standard AirPods
Obviously, many users who have the standard AirPods will consider replacing them with AirPods Pro. If you have relatively new 3rd generation AirPods, you’ll be paying dearly for what is essentially just noise cancellation. If you’re often in noisy environments, it might be worth it, but the price is steep.
However, those who own the 2nd or even 1st generation AirPods will find the new AirPods Pro on another level. Not only do you get a ton of features (noise cancellation, transparency, spatial audio with head tracking, Find My, splash resistance), but you’re going to notice a huge boost in sound quality.
The AirPods Pro aren’t cheap, but if you use AirPods a lot, they’re worth it for the hearing protection alone.
Original article published on igamesnews.com.