You see these everywhere. The subway, the gym, every coffee shop. It’s like Apple has a monopoly on ears.
So are they actually that good, or is it just brand loyalty? I’ve been using mine daily for a few months now, here’s what I think.
The short version
If you have an iPhone: probably yes, they’re really well integrated and sound great.
If you have Android: look at Sony or Samsung instead. You lose too many features.
What’s in the box
Standard Apple packaging. Earbuds, USB-C case, charging cable, 4 sizes of ear tips. The case has a speaker now so you can ping it when it’s lost in your couch cushions. This is more useful than it sounds.
Sound quality
They sound good. Really good for wireless earbuds.
I’m not going to pretend I can hear “the separation in the mid-range frequencies” or whatever - I’m not that guy. But music sounds clear, podcasts are great, movies with spatial audio are genuinely impressive.
The bass is punchy without being boomy. Some Beats-style earbuds just pump bass until everything sounds muddy. These don’t do that.
Is the sound as good as wired IEMs at the same price? No. But the convenience factor is worth the tradeoff for most people.
Noise cancellation
This is the main reason to get the Pro over regular AirPods.
It works really well. Airplane cabin noise drops significantly. Office chatter fades away. My partner’s TV in the next room becomes tolerable while I’m trying to work.
They claim it adjusts 48,000 times per second. I have no way to verify that but it does seem to adapt to different environments smoothly.
Transparency mode
This is the feature that surprised me most. You can hear the outside world clearly while wearing them - like you’re not wearing earbuds at all.
There’s also this “conversation awareness” thing where it automatically turns down your music when you start talking to someone. Creepy? A little. Useful? Definitely.
I use this mode more than I expected. Walking around the city, at the grocery store checkout, etc.
The Apple stuff
OK here’s where it gets complicated.
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch), the integration is seamless. They switch between devices automatically and it actually works. Find My can locate them precisely. Siri works without pressing anything.
If you’re on Android, you lose all of this. They become basically just Bluetooth earbuds. At that point you’re paying the Apple tax for no reason.
Battery
About 6 hours with ANC on. The case gives you another 4+ charges. Total is around 30 hours.
Not the longest battery life out there, but the case charges via USB-C, MagSafe, wireless charging pad, or even an Apple Watch charger. Lots of options.
I’ve never actually run out of battery in real use. Just throw them in the case between uses and you’re fine.
What I don’t like
- Price. They’re expensive. Period.
- The ear tips get gross. You need to clean them regularly.
- That shiny case scratches instantly. Mine already looks beat up.
- No lossless audio. Apple makes a big deal about lossless in Apple Music but… you can’t use it with their own wireless earbuds? OK then.
- If you don’t have an iPhone, they’re not worth it. Seriously, look elsewhere.
Who should get these
You probably want these if:
- iPhone user who wants everything to “just work”
- Lots of travel or commuting
- Regular video calls (the mic is decent)
- You like the AirPods style and fit
Maybe skip if:
- You’re on Android
- Budget is tight
- You want the absolute best audio quality (get wired IEMs)
- The stem design bothers you aesthetically
Final thoughts
The AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users. The combo of sound quality, ANC, and ecosystem integration is hard to beat.
Are they overpriced? Kinda yeah. Would I buy them again? Also yeah.
If you catch them on sale (which happens fairly regularly), they’re easier to justify. At full price, you’re definitely paying for the Apple name, but at least you’re getting a genuinely good product.
Check current prices - they discount these more often than you’d expect.