I’m a big fan of Apple’s AirPods, and I’ve been using the first generation set since they came out on daily basis. Ona personal level, the AirPods and Apple’s EarPods in general fit perfectly for me, and are the most conformable headphones I’ve ever used. Naturally, the reveal of the second-generation AirPods with the new H1 chip, a boost in battery life and wireless charging, got me all excited!
Sound
If you are a regular user, once you switch from the 1st gen to the 2nd gen AirPods, you will immediately notice is that the new pair is much louder and deliver a crisper and more detailed sound. Apple’s AirPods are also known to deliver sounds without adding any bass boosting or enhancements in order to guarantee a natural experience, which continue to be the case, and I’m definitely a fan. The call quality has also improved and is clearer for people on the other side of the conversation.
Wireless charging / Battery
Probably the most exciting and expected addition to the new generation AirPods, is wireless charging. The Qi compatible wireless charging case now has the light indicator on the outside as opposed to being hidden inside the case on the older model, providing an easier charging and pairing indication. I charged the new pair using the Belkin Boost Up wireless charge I have, and while the charge supports 7.5W fast charing for iPhone, the AirPods are limited to 5W. Bummer.
Battery life was good in general on the first generation, and performed well on music and quick calls, but sometimes struggle when using app like Zoom or Skype. I’ve tested the new pair with the same apps, and I happy to see that they outperformed the older pair and lasted at least twice the duration. On a regular use, the new AirPods lasted around 4.5 hours of continuous music listening, interrupted by few calls.
The charging case extends the battery life to 24 hours and a 15-minute charge will provide three hours of listening / call time.
Other improvements
The new AirPods with the H1 chip brings faster switch between devices. I use them at work everyday between my iPhone and Mac, and the switch is noticeably faster. The H1 chip also brings in lower latency to the new pair, and improve cancelation of background noise.
“Hey Siri” is another new feature on the AirPods, and works as expected with all the tasks that Siri can do on the iPhone. A welcomed addition as opposed to tapping the side to activate. Whether it was to set a reminder, do a call or send a text, it was a flawless experience, and tasks where picked up within seconds.
Verdict
With the massive popularity of the original AirPods, Apple definitely went with the famous “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach, and it worked. While to some, these changes are not worth upgrading, specially when Apple is offering a standalone wireless case, the Apple power user would surely appreciate all the enhancements.
For users who have been holding off on the 1st generation AirPods, now would be a good time to own a pair.
AirPods with Wireless Charging Case are available for 829 (AED) on apple.com while the set with standard charging case are available for 679 (AED). The standalone Wireless Charging Case is also available for 329 (AED)
