Apple Air Pods 2 Wireless Headphones Review with Key Features

In the spring of 2019, Apple introduced a number of new devices. Not in the last position among them are the new Apple Air Pods 2 wireless headphones, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in this article.

The first generation of headphones came out about 2 years ago and, despite the overpriced, according to buyers, cost, it has become one of the most successful devices of the company.

Positioning

Representatives of the corporation call the novelty the most popular wireless headphones in the world. Perhaps there are reasons for this, and in fact on the streets there is an opportunity to often see users with this model in their ears, however, the main thing is that this is a really successful gadget for a number of characteristics: a case with headphones is quite comfortable to take with you, since it fits into any pocket.

The device itself is as comfortable as the Ear Pods, comfortable to wear (but there are users for whom the form factor of these models is absolutely not suitable). You rarely need to recharge, but due to the battery integrated into the case, this is done without interrupting the playback of your favorite tracks.

Simply put, the user, while listening to the tracks, has the opportunity to restore the charge of the case, and then, after stopping the playback, put the device in the case and, taking it out after a certain period of time, get the already charged headphones ready for use.

In addition, they really have high sound quality and excellent functionality within the proprietary ecosystem: the user can, for example, use Air Pods 2 along with the branded Watch without an iPhone or listen to tracks on a smartphone, but control the process through the watch. Well, of course, other devices of the corporation with the OS are also connected to the headphones.

Specifications

Equipment

The box of the novelty is completely identical to the packaging of its predecessor. It is small, square in shape, designed in a light minimalist style.

The key difference is the Wireless Charging Case under the name of the device. It is clear why this is necessary: ​​to distinguish between the version with a wireless charging case, since, if you remember, the novelty can be purchased with the case of the first version.

Inside, everything is similar to its predecessor: a case in which the headphones are located, in an envelope there is a pack of leaflets, and under a pallet made of cardboard materials there is a Lightning cord. By the way, look at the name - it is identical to the first model, there is no “2” in the name.

Headphone and case appearance

The design of the novelty has not changed at all. Simply put, if you put the previous version and the second generation model side by side, the user, even with tremendous efforts, is not able to distinguish between them.

This is the disadvantage, in particular, for those users who adore any innovations, however, this is also the advantage of the device - compatibility remains. In other words, consumers have the opportunity to purchase both a case with a wireless charging option and a new product with an old case, using it as an auxiliary battery.

In general, the differences in the appearance of the novelty relate exclusively to the case with the wireless charging option. The main thing is that the placement of the pointer on the case has changed.

Before that, it was under the cover, next to the headphone heads, and from now on it was moved to the front cover of the case. This move is clear: when the user puts the case on wireless charging, there is a desire to observe whether the process has started.

The fact is that a common disadvantage of wireless chargers is that sometimes there is a need to put the gadget on them in a specific way so that everything works. In other words, the charge recovery process does not start in every position, and therefore the presence of a pointer is a very useful thing.

When testing a new case with 2 wireless chargers, in two cases the process started well, but provided that the case was located directly in the center. If you put it closer to the end of the surface, then it will not charge.

The second and final difference in the appearance of the case is the offset of the key located at the back a little closer to the middle. By means of this button, it is possible to turn on the pointer, however, in everyday life you have to use it infrequently, so this move cannot be counted among advantages or disadvantages - this is unlikely to have an impact on the user experience and is most likely caused by some distinctive design features.

As for the headphones themselves, then, as already mentioned before, their appearance has remained the same. The novelty is comfortable to fit, does not fall out of the ears, does not cause discomfort, and the design is made in the best way.

Synchronization and functioning

The first synchronization with devices running the iOS operating system at the headphones is carried out in a similar way to its predecessor: you need to open the case, a window immediately appears on the smartphone in which the owner of the device is offered to synchronize the gadget. No glitches or lags were detected during testing.

The process will take no more than a couple of seconds and here the novelty in conjunction with the iPhone really has no competitors, however, we saw this in the first version of the headphones. What has changed?

Representatives of the company say that the nimbleness of the transition of Air Pods 2 between devices. For example, a user started watching a video on a smartphone, then took a tablet and plans to continue the process on it. With the first version of the earbuds, all this took a certain number of seconds from the owner. From now on, theoretically, everything is carried out much faster. In reality, the differences are not particularly felt.

It was tested this way: the headphones were synchronized with the XS Max smartphone, then they were connected to the MacBook Pro 13 with macOS High Sierra, and then to the iPad mini, which was released this year.

The time it took to synchronize was in all cases equal to a couple of seconds and, for the two versions of the headphones, it was approximately identical.

On the other hand, if you initially talk on a smartphone using the integrated speaker, and then switch to Air Pods, the process is actually carried out almost instantly - in this scenario, the increase in the speed of the connection is really noticeable.

Another improvement announced by Apple is to improve the sound quality when talking on a smartphone, but in testing, all this refers solely to external noise cancellation. In general, if you properly study the characteristics on the official website of the company, then everything is so.

For example, the site writes that when a user communicates on an iPhone or uses a voice assistant, an auxiliary accelerometer for establishing voice activity, as well as microphones with a calculated sound diagram, eliminate external extraneous sounds and guarantee a clear sound of the user's voice.

This means that if the user is in a relatively calm environment (for example, at home or office), there are no differences between the headphones of the first and second versions at all. In any case, the experts did not find them either from the side of the user receiving the call, or from the side of the caller. One can only assume that in places of mass gathering of people, differences can already be noticeable.

What is really new added to the headphones is the voice assistant Siri. Before that, for this purpose, it was necessary to press 2 times on any of the headphones, and now you just need to say: "Hey Siri."

To what extent this innovation is significant, lies solely in personal wishes and how often the user uses the voice assistant at all, however, again, it only concerns the use outside the home, since if the user is in the same position and the iPhone with which they are synchronized Air Pods 2, is located next to it, then it is already possible to turn it on by voice.

In the end, the last thing Apple is focusing on is improved autonomy when talking on a smartphone. It is clear that this moment is difficult to test: hardly any of the users will begin to communicate without stopping for several hours, declared by the manufacturer, and if they stop, then the accuracy of the test will be violated.

In addition, all users admit that talking on a smartphone takes less time from them, if we talk about using headphones, and compare with playing tracks or watching videos.

The reason is clear: hardly anyone will walk around all day with headphones in their ears, and they call users unexpectedly, and just as suddenly there is a need to call someone.

In addition, there is an even smaller percentage of the likelihood that someone from the user will insert headphones into their ears for a short conversation on a smartphone, and long-term calls, scheduled in advance, are usually rare.

Actually, an increase in autonomy indicators, even in one mode, is one way or another an advantage. Caution is advised that this will have a serious impact on the extent to which users have to recharge their headphones frequently.

Average price:

• without case - 9 450 RUB;

• with case - 11 200 RUB.

• auto activation and synchronization;
• intuitive setup to work with any Apple device;
• instant access to the voice assistant: you just need to say: "Hey Siri" or adjust the access with a double tap;
• double tap to play or skip to the next song;
• are quickly charged in the case.

• partly weak LF spectrum;
• lack of passive isolation;
• minor modernization when compared with its predecessor.

Conclusion

The highly successful Air Pods just got slightly better. This is how it is possible to characterize the release of a novelty. The innovations concerning the device itself are insignificant, and in everyday life users may not find them at all, however, the possibility of wireless charging of the case is a very useful improvement.

More details about the new Apple Air Pods 2 can be found in the video: