The first-ever AirPods were launched in 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 lineup, which was well-known for removing the headphone jack. Fast forward to October 2019, Apple launched the AirPods Pro (1st generation) with the H1 chip, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, Force Sensors, and more.
Three years later, Apple launched the second-generation AirPods Pro with a more powerful H2 chip (which is still used to this day in the AirPods Pro 3), up to 2x stronger Active Noise Cancellation compared with the previous AirPods Pro, a major upgrade to Transparency mode, longer battery life, and more.
When the 2nd generation launched with a major hardware upgrade, I still stuck to the 1st generation until Apple announced new features at WWDC in June 2023. These features were Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness, and I upgraded to the 2nd generation to beta test these new features.
Yet, it wasn’t the headline-grabbing innovative WWDC features that ultimately anchored my daily experience. Instead, a trio of easily overlooked quality-of-life features entirely upgraded the way I use a pair of earbuds:
Touch Control for Volume Adjustment:
On paper, swipe-based volume adjustment felt like a minor iteration. I never gave much thought to this feature as a reason to upgrade to the 2nd generation, but believe me, once you try it, you’ll not want to go back. Light swipes in the stems of either AirPods will precisely adjust the volume of your media playback, which proves to be convenient when you’re out and about and do not want to pull out your iPhone just to change the volume. The true value of this feature became glaringly obvious when I sent in my pair of AirPods Pro 2 for AppleCare+ service due to water damage, forcing me back to use the first-gen Pros for a week, where I noticed the lack of this feature and its value. This feature is a game-changer when you have your phone in your pocket or your bag — it essentially turns your AirPods into an independent iPod that just needs to be connected to your phone.
Charging:
The original AirPods Pro could be charged in various ways: with a Lightning cable, wirelessly, or with a MagSafe charger (MagSafe charging ability was introduced to newly manufactured models and available starting October 2021). With the 2nd generation, Apple added the ability to charge the AirPods case with an Apple Watch charging puck. It sounds trivial until you’re managing desktop clutter or packing a minimal travel kit. Being able to place your AirPods case onto the same small Apple Watch charging puck is another one of the features that you realize is more useful and practical in your day-to-day use.
Find My:
The 2nd-generation AirPods case supports Apple’s Find My network and has built-in speakers with Precision Finding. Since AirPods are small in size, this feature proves to be quite effective at finding your case if you were to lose it around your house or office.
It is easy to judge an upgrade solely through its primary marketing pillars. These micro upgrades may not be your primary reason to switch from an older AirPods model, but they do add significant value to your AirPods experience, and they are exactly what prevents you from ever going back to an older model.
What’s coming next?
Rumors currently point towards an upgraded AirPods Pro 3 model with Cameras and IR Sensors to help your iPhone with Apple Intelligence get more details about your surroundings to provide helpful information and assistance when needed. Although it seems less plausible for now, these models might also be able to pick up gestures with the cameras, such as Double-Tap.
What’s your favorite AirPods feature? Let us know down in the comments or write to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!
