AirPods Pro after 2.5 years are…interesting
good sound • amazing build • great ANC • good battery • poor longevity
Watch the video version:
💵 → $160 (renewed)
🎨 → No MagSafe
Personally, I think these are some of the best-built wireless earbuds for the money. Obviously, if you spend upwards of $400 on a different pair, you’re bound to get some metal thrown into the build, but usually, even most $300 earbuds tend to feel poorly built. But these can actually withstand a few drops. I mean, the case does collect quite a few scratches, but they’re never noticeable unless you actually go looking for them.
That being said, the case is both the best and worst part of them. It feels great, it has a metal hinge that feels good to open and close, but the LED just doesn’t make sense. There are only two main colors that handle almost everything. You never really know when amber means the buds are charging or low on battery. This is something the Galaxy Buds Pro handled really well—you always knew whether the buds or case was low on battery or fully charged.
That being said, the buds themselves are incredible. They’re super small and lightweight, and the stem is genuinely use for controls. They don’t have the swipe for volume controls like the Pro 2, but the pressure sensors require just the right amount of force to feel like a solid cross between touch controls and physical buttons. Plus, they’re literally the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever worn. I could literally wear these all day without my ears hurting. The only other earbuds that have ever come close for me are the Galaxy Buds Pro.
But after about 1-1.5 years, the earbuds started making loud staticky noises when using noise canceling or transparency—almost like someone recorded themselves tearing paper and they’re playing it back to you at 1000% volume but only in the left ear. It’s…annoying. So I just use them in “Off” mode. Also, the right earbud’s “play/pause” control isn’t working anymore. It makes the “click” sound, but it doesn’t actually do anything. Everything else seems to work though.
But I do enjoy the sound quality. It’s not as good as dedicated over-ear headphones, but they’re clear and sound really nice. That being said, their midrange can be a little harsh-sounding at times, at least to my ears.
Noise canceling is top-notch, but some higher-frequency sounds can get through a bit easily. Transparency is some of the most natural you can get, but there’s still that slight hint of artificalness. Mic quality is okay. Nowhere near as good as an inline microphone, but as far as wireless mics go, this is good.
Battery life has been sufficient for me. 4.5 hours in the buds, 24 hours with the case. After nearly three years, the case doesn’t seem to hold a charge quite as well as it used to, but the buds still last sufficiently long. That being said, the buds may not turn on if the case is dead.
the verdict.
If you’re willing to pay a bit more, then the Pro 2 might be worth the extra money—better sound, better noise-canceling, better battery life, more ways to charge, etc.
All THAT being said, you may even want to wait until this fall when the iPhone 15 comes out with USB-C. By that point, the AirPods Pro 2 are rumored to switch from Lightning to USB-C, so if that interests you, then you might want to wait a bit. Otherwise, save a few bucks and go with the AirPods Pro 1. They’re still great and I just use MagSafe anyway.
Anyway, that’s all for now. Adios!