September 7, 2022
press release
Apple announces the next generation of AirPods Pro
Offering unrivaled sound quality, improved active noise cancellation and new features for greater comfort
Cupertino, California Apple today announced the second generation of AirPods Pro, the most advanced AirPods ever. Powered by the new H2 chip, AirPods Pro unlocks audio performance – including major improvements to Active Noise Cancellation and Clarity Mode – and offers a unique way to experience even more immersive Spatial Audio. Now, customers can enjoy touch controls for media playback and volume adjustments right on the stem, longer battery life, a new charging case, and extra eartip size for better comfort.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be available to order online and in the Apple Store app from Friday, September 9, and in stores from Friday, September 23.
“AirPods revolutionized the wireless headphone category with a new design and incredible sound quality. With the new AirPods Pro, Apple is raising the bar again,” said Bob Borcher, Apple’s vice president of global product marketing. Audio and audio features like Adaptive Clarity With double the noise-canceling power of their predecessors, the world’s best-selling wireless headphones just got even better.
Breakthrough Audio
Built into a lightweight and compact body, the power of the new H2 chip delivers a unique acoustic experience and cancels twice as much noise as the previous generation AirPods Pro. With a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, AirPods Pro now delivers rich bass and crystal-clear sound across a wide range of frequencies. The best audio experience isn’t complete without a good in-ear fit, so a new little ear tip has been included so more people can experience the magic of AirPods Pro.
Clarity mode allows listeners to connect and learn about the world around them. Now, Adaptive Transparency takes this customer-loved feature even further. The powerful H2 chip enables on-device processing, reducing loud ambient noise – like passing vehicle sirens, construction equipment, or loud speakers at a concert – for more comfortable everyday listening.
Accurate and immersive sound
For personalized spatial audio, the AirPods listening experience is even more immersive. Users perceive sound differently based on the size and shape of their head and ears. Using the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone, users can create a personal profile for Spatial Audio that delivers a hearing experience tailored just for them. Users can enjoy personalized spatial audio for music, movies and TV shows – with dynamic head tracking – on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.1
Convenient features
The magical experience that users have come to love from the AirPods family gets even better with the next generation of AirPods Pro. Quick pairing with all Apple devices makes setup effortless, while the new dedicated AirPods section in iOS Settings allows users to easily access and control their AirPods features.
Now users can control media playback and turn up the volume without using another device. With touch control on AirPods Pro, swiping the light up or down on the stem makes quick volume adjustments. Press the stem to change the music, answer phone calls and more, or say “Hey Siri” to make hands-free questions. The improved, built-in skin detection sensor automatically turns playback on or off, and provides better battery life.
Extended battery life
AirPods Pro offer 1.5 hours more listening time over the first generation, for a total of up to six hours with active noise cancellation.2 Using the case for four additional charges, users can enjoy up to 30 hours of total listening time with active noise cancellation – a full six hours more than the previous generation.3
For more flexibility on the go, customers can now charge AirPods Pro with an Apple Watch in addition to a MagSafe charger, Qi-certified charger, or Lightning cable.
New charging case
AirPods Pro comes with a newly designed charging case that is sweat and water resistant.4 and includes a lanyard loop5 So it is always accessible. With Precision Finding, users with a U1-enabled iPhone can find their charging case with guided directions. The charging case has a built-in speaker to deliver loud sounds, so it’s easy to find.
Customers can now personalize the charging case with personalized Memoji, including customized Memoji, Animoji and custom stickers. Create and upload Memoji in the Apple Store app to start recording.
AirPods and surroundings
AirPods Pro are designed with a number of materials and features to reduce their impact on the environment, including the use of 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and – for the first time – the installation of 100 percent recycled gold in several printed circuit boards. The case uses 100 percent recycled tin in the main logic board socket, and 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure. AirPods Pro is free of potentially harmful substances such as mercury, BFRs, PVC and beryllium. The redesigned packaging does away with the outer plastic wrap, and 90 percent or more of the packaging is made using fiber-based materials, which Apple announced in 2015. It brings it closer to its goal of eliminating plastic from packaging entirely by 2025.
Today, Apple is carbon neutral for its global corporate operations, and by 2030, it plans to be 100 percent carbon neutral throughout its manufacturing supply chain and all product life cycles. This means that every Apple device sold has a net-zero climate impact during physical manufacturing, assembly, shipping, customer use, charging, recycling and material recovery.
Pricing and availability
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation) available to order. 249 dollars (US) Available from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in the US and in over 50 countries and regions starting Friday September 9th in stores starting Friday September 23rd.
- AirPods (3rd generation) with lightning charging case are now available $169 (US) AirPods (3rd generation) stay with the MagSafe charging case. $179 (USA)
- Customers can now add Memoji embossing to AirPods (2nd generation), AirPods (3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) cases exclusively on the Apple Store app. For more information about capturing Memoji, use the Apple Store app.
- New subscribers can get six months of Apple Music for free with the purchase of any AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. See apple.com/promo for details.
- For full feature functionality, use AirPods Pro (2nd generation) paired with an Apple device running the latest operating system software. Personalized spatial audio profiles and Find My will be available with iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura in October.
About Apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology when it introduced the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s five software platforms – iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS – deliver seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with new services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are committed to making the best products on earth and leaving the world a better place than we found it.
- Spatial Audio works with compatible content in supported apps. An iPhone with TrueDepth camera is required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which is available on Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS (coming in October), macOS (coming in October), and tvOS.
- 5.5 hours of listening time with Spatial Audio enabled.
- Battery life varies by usage. See apple.com/battery for details.
- AirPods Pro and the charger are sweat and water resistant for sports and exercise and are IPX4 rated. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions.
- Lanyard sold separately.
Press the contacts
Emily Ewing
Apple
e_ewing@apple.com
Lance Lynn
Apple
lance_lin@apple.com
(408) 974-5036
Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com
(408) 974-2042