Apple Airpods Pro has launched at Rs. 24,900 in India and goes on sale starting October 30, 2019. It is currently up for pre-order via apple.com and the Apple Store app. They are aesthetically new with a look that’s garnering memes all over the web. Off the lot, Peashooter from Plants vs. Zombies and Pokémon Bellsprout are our favs. Anyhow, it’s not just the design that has got a makeover. For starters, the new Airpods usher in Active Noise Cancellation and IPX4 water-resistance. Here’s a once-over of every new Airpods “Pro” highlights.
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Transparency mode
- IPX4 Sweat & water-resistant
- In-ear design with Ear Tip Fit Test
- Adaptive EQ
- Dedicated H1 Chip with Bluetooth 5.0
- Lightning to USB-C cable in the box
- Lesser Battery Life
- Rs. 24,900/£249/$249
Now let’s see what each of the aforementioned features means.
Here’s what’s new in the Apple Airpods Pro
1. Active Noise Cancellation
Apple Airpods Pro comes with two microphones that identify both outer and inner-ear sounds. Then there is an “advanced software” that continuously cancels out any background noise with an anti-noise. Apple claims that this process takes place every 200 times a second.
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2. Transparency mode
Next up, there is a Transparency mode which allows you to be aware of the ambiance while simultaneously listening to the audio.
You can toggle between the ANC and Transparency mode by pressing and holding the stem of the Airpods Pro. This works thanks to a “force sensor” within it. you can switch the modes through the toggle center too.
3. IPX4 Water Resistance
This rating implies protection against sweat and water splashes. So, although you can wear them carefree during intense gym sessions or washing your face afterward. But, don’t take them for a deep dive or swim.
4. Customizable In-ear tips
The new airpods are in-ear type and you get 3 sizes of silicone tips bundled in the box. But the interesting stuff is baked into the software side of things. Airpods Pro features an Ear Tip Fit test that employs smart algorithms to suggest the best-suited ear tip size for your ears.
Here’s how it works – The said algorithms analyze the sound level in the ears collected by the inner microphone. This is compared with the driver output. Needless to say, if the buds aren’t sealing your ears well, there will be audio leakage. In such a case, the Airpods Pro should suggest the best-fit ear tips in a matter of seconds.
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5. Adaptive Equalizer, Meshed Microphone, and H1 chip
Adaptive EQ as the name indicates automatically tweaks various sound frequencies to your ear structure. There is also the new meshed microphones aimed for improving call clarity during windy situations.
Lastly, the H1 Chip makes its way to the new Airpods from its predecessor. This is a dedicated System on Package chip with 10 audio cores, that engines the earphones. It offers enhanced latency, better battery life, controls listening levels, voice-triggered Siri commands, and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities.
6. Battery Life
The new Airpods Pro vaunts 4.5 hours of listening time (in a single charge), which is lesser than the predecessor by half an hour. The dip is due to Active Noise Cancellation. So, you could turn it off and regain 5 hours of playback.
When not in use, tuck them inside the bundled charging case to eke out over 24 hours of listening time or upto an hour of audio with just 5 mins of charge.
As for the charging case itself, you can either top them wirelessly (Qi) or use the Lightning connector. This time, Apple has included a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box. Good Apple!
The Airpods Pro works with iPhone 8 or later and iPod touch (7th generation) with the latest version of iOS; and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation or later), 11-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation) and iPad mini (5th generation) with the latest version of iPadOS.
