Apple AirPods Pro (second-gen): price, release date, and how to preorder
Apple’s Far Out event on Wednesday showcased Apple’s existing lineup around a number of devices, including the iPhone 14, a rugged Apple Watch and an updated version of the AirPods Pro. The second-generation AirPods Pro are slated to launch on September 23 for $249.99 and will be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 9. Apple will continue to sell the entry-level AirPods at their original price of $179; However, it appears that Apple is discontinuing the original AirPods Pro with the release of the second-gen model.
Aesthetically, not much has changed from the previous iteration of the AirPods Pro, as the new model sports the same pearly white exterior as the original 2019 model. The noise-cancelling earbuds also retain the MagSafe-compatible charging case that Apple introduced last year. But Apple has made some interesting hardware changes that make the second-gen AirPods Pro the company’s most impressive earbuds yet.
Starting with battery life, Apple claims the new AirPods Pro can support up to six hours of continuous playback with noise canceling enabled, or an additional 30 with the included charging case. The 2022 model also includes an updated H2 chip, allowing for improved adaptive transparency mode, better noise cancellation, and swipe controls on the stems to control playback. Both the earbuds and Apple’s new Find My Ready charging case also come with built-in speakers, so you’ll know where they are if you misplace them.
We haven’t had a chance to fully test Apple’s new AirPods Pro yet, you can check out our first hands-on impressions of the new earbuds here.
How to pre-order the second-gen AirPods Pro
The second generation AirPods Pro will be available for pre-order starting next week for $249.99. The original AirPods Pro cost $249 at launch, but have now been replaced by their second-generation counterparts on Apple’s website. However, other retailers still sell the previous model for $179.99, including Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
If you’re considering upgrading to the new AirPods Pro before their official launch on September 23, you can pre-order them directly from Apple starting Friday, September 9 at 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. For now, Apple is the only retailer looking to open pre-orders for the new pair of earbuds, but we’ll update this post if Amazon, Best Buy, or any other retailer starts offering the earbuds before their release date.
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AirPods Pro (second generation)
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro take a cue from the last-gen model, but include swipe controls and a new H2 chip that allows for improved noise cancellation. They also come with a new waterproof charging case and offer support for Apple’s robust Find My network.