Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
During Shopee’s 10/10 flash sale, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) was only going for S$319 on their Apple Flagship Online Store. The store is an Apple Authorised Reseller (AAR).
Because it is 10/10, they are giving 10% cashback in the form of coins, capped at $35 or 3,500 coins. So I got S$31.90 (3,190 coins) in cashback for my next purchase. Shipping is an additional S$1.49.
If you pay by OCBC Frank Credit Card, you will get an additional 6% cashback capped at S$25 because it is an online purchase.
The official retail price of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is S$359. But I got it for S$319 – S$31.90 (Shopee Cashback) – S$19.14 (OCBC Cashback) = S$267.96, which is an excellent price. Though if you don’t buy it, you will save the equivalent amount.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is a little long, and I will call it Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 now comes with an XS ear tip. So, you have four ear tips, with the default medium one attached to the Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 features the new Apple H2 chip that gives you two times better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), sound quality, Adaptive Transparency, and six hours of battery life (up from 5 hours on the AirPods Pro 1).
For the ANC test, I tested it using my favorite test video, Airplane Cabin White Noise Jet Sounds, and the difference is very noticeable. It doesn’t totally eliminate it, but it does a better job than AirPods Pro 1 of reducing it to an even more acceptable level.
Adaptive Transparency allows you to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a noise reducer. When activated, it will filter out loud noises while allowing sounds from the surroundings to enter your ears. It will be helpful when you are Working From Home (WFH), and your immediate neighbors are having their houses renovated. I have yet to test it, but it should be able to filter the drilling and wall-hacking noises.
You can now control the volume by swiping up or down the stem of the earbuds. It feels weird and unnatural at first, but you will get used to it after a few times. It is so much more convenient. Previously I had to ask Siri or reach out to my phone to adjust the volume.
The design of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Apple AirPods Pro 1 earbuds are mostly similar, with minor differences in the placement of the sensors and microphones.
Apple AirPods Pro 2’s charging case probably has the most visual differences as it now has a lanyard loop on the right and an in-case speaker at the bottom. Internally, it now has a U1 chip, so you can accurately locate it using the Find My app, just like AirTags.
There are now four ways to charge your Apple AirPods Pro 2’s charging case, with the Apple Watch charger being the latest addition.
- Wirelessly via Apple Watch charger
- Wirelessly via Apple MagSafe charger
- Wirelessly via Qi wireless charger
- Wired via Lightning port