AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro are wireless Bluetooth earbuds created by Apple, initially released on October 30, 2019.[2][3] They are Apple's mid-range wireless headphones, sold alongside the base-level AirPods and highest-end AirPods Max.

AirPods Pro
A pair of AirPods Pro
DeveloperApple Inc.
ManufacturerApple Inc.
Product familyAirPods
TypeWireless earbuds
Release date
  • October 30, 2019 (2019-10-30)
Introductory price
System on a chip
InputAirPods (each)
Dual beam-forming microphones, dual optical sensors, accelerometer
ConnectivityAirPods (each)
Bluetooth 5.0
Charging Case
Lightning port
Qi
Current firmware3A283 (September 2020)
DimensionsAirPods: (each)
0.86 x 0.94 x 1.22 in
(21.8 x 24 x 30.9 mm)
Charging Case:
1.78 x 0.85 x 2.39 in
(45.2 x 21.7 x 60.6 mm)[1]
MassAirPods (each)
0.19 ounces (5.4 g)
Charging Case
1.61 ounces (45.6 g)
Websitewww.apple.com/airpods-pro/
AirPods Pro in charging case

AirPods Pro use the H1 processor found in second generation AirPods, but add active noise cancellation, transparency mode, automated frequency profile setting, IPX4 water resistance, a charging case with wireless charging, and interchangeable silicone tips.[4]

Overview

Apple announced AirPods Pro on October 28, 2019, and released them two days later on October 30, 2019.[4] They include features of standard AirPods, such as a microphone that filters out background noise, accelerometers and optical sensors that can detect presses on the stem and in-ear placement, and automatic pausing when they are taken out of the ears. Control by tapping is replaced by pressing a force sensor on the stems.[5] They are rated IPX4 for water resistance.[1]

The AirPods Pro use the H1 chip also found in second-generation AirPods that supports hands-free "Hey Siri". They have active noise cancellation, accomplished by microphones detecting outside sound and speakers producing precisely opposite "anti-noise". Active noise cancellation can be turned off or switched to "Transparency mode" that helps users hear surroundings. Noise cancellation modes can also be switched in iOS or by pinching the stems of the AirPods using a new "force sensor".[6]

The H1 chip is embedded in a unique system in a package (SiP) module enclosing several other components, such as the audio processor and accelerometers.[7]

  • Illustrations of the H1 SiP
  • SiP from the top, showing the part containing the audio processors
  • SiP from the bottom, showing the H1 enclosure, the two accelerometers, the Bluetooth antenna connector and the large pad attaching a flex cable to all other components in the headphone

Battery life is rated to be equal to the second-generation AirPods at five hours, but noise cancellation or transparency mode reduce it to 4.5 hours due to the extra processing.[8] The charging case advertises the same 24 hours of total listening time as the standard AirPods case. It also features Qi standard wireless charging compatibility.[8] Like AirPods, AirPods Pro have received criticism for their battery life.[9]

AirPods Pro come with three sizes of silicone tips. There is a software test in iOS called the Ear Tip Fit Test that "[checks] the fit of your AirPods ear tips to determine which size provides the best seal and acoustic performance" to ensure a correct fit, as well as a feature called "Adaptive EQ" which automatically adjusts the frequency contour, claimed to better match the wearer's ear shape.[4] Starting in early 2020, Apple started selling tip replacements for AirPods Pro on their website.[10]

With iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, Apple added a spatial audio mode designed to simulate 5.1 surround sound. Supported apps include the Apple TV app, Disney+ and HBO Max.[11] Spatial audio requires an iPhone or iPad with an Apple A10 processor or newer.[12]

iOS 14 also added the ability to apply headphone accommodations to Transparency mode, allowing the AirPods Pro to act as rudimentary hearing aids.[13]

Firmware issues

Users have complained that firmware version 2C54 (released December 2019) reduced the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation feature.[14]

After the release of 2C54, users speculated that the launch firmware with the strong noise cancellation (that received great reviews from the media) may have degraded the lifespan of the product, and Apple had to weaken the noise cancelling feature in order to preserve the lifespan of the hardware.[15]

Compatibility

Support for AirPods Pro was added in iOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, tvOS 13.2, and macOS Catalina 10.15.1.[8][6] They are compatible with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Windows and Android devices, although certain features such as automatic switching between devices are only available on Apple devices using its iCloud service.

See also

References
  1. "AirPods Pro - Technical Specifications". Apple. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  2. Axon, Samuel (October 28, 2019). "Apple announces AirPods Pro". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  3. Welch, Chris (October 28, 2019). "Apple announces AirPods Pro with noise cancellation, coming October 30th". The Verge. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  4. "AirPods Pro". Apple. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  5. Cipriani, Jason. "The 9 new AirPods Pro tricks you need to master now". CNET. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  6. Mihalcik, Carrie. "AirPods Pro are $249, might actually fit in your ears and available Oct. 30". CNET. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  7. Dube, Belinda (March 11, 2020). "Advanced System in Package Technology in the Apple AirPods Pro" (PDF). System Plus Consulting. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. Lee, Dami (October 28, 2019). "Apple releases iOS 13.2 with support for AirPods Pro and iPhone 11 Deep Fusion". The Verge. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  9. Eadicicco, Lisa. "Samsung is launching a new pair of wireless earbuds, and it sounds like they will have one big advantage over Apple's AirPods". Business Insider. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  10. Statt, Nick (April 15, 2020). "Apple now sells AirPods Pro tip replacements on its website". The Verge. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  11. "Which Apple Devices and Video Services Support 'Spatial Audio' on AirPods Pro?". Lifehacker Australia. September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  12. "Listen with spatial audio for AirPods Pro". Apple Support. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  13. Bailey, Abram. "AirPods Pro Become Hearing Aids in iOS 14". Hearing Tracker.
  14. Welch, Chris. "AirPods Pro owners complain of worse noise cancellation after firmware updates". The Verge. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  15. Curran, Joseph. "We need to talk about AirPods Pro". Medium. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
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