- Apple launches iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, the first with USB-C port
Apple not only announced new phones and watches last week, it also spent a few minutes of the presentation talking about the only iPhone accessory that, for now, has made the leap to the USB-C port: the AirPods Pro.
The new version of these headphones does not change the design, except for the new charging port on the carrying case. But although it may seem like a minor change, the truth is that the new AirPods Pro also have some additional functions.
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They have more water resistance, for example, although they are not submersible, and they are also the first equipped with a new radio chip that allows receiving uncompressed sound at low latency.
Apple has included it with Vision Pro in mind. While the Vision Pro will work with any current AirPod paired, using low-latency headphones contributes to a more realistic listening experience. The viewfinder, which hits the market next year, also has directional headphones but the sound quality will be better if headphones are connected.
The case of the new version is compatible with the AirPods Pro of the previous generation, although the headphones do not have this new radio chip. Pairing a new case with existing headphones is a bit cumbersome but can be done, in case someone is considering ditching Lightning altogether but not buying a whole new set of headphones.
Apple sells the cases or cases of the AirPods separately within its support page – also the headphones individually, in case one is lost or broken – although at the moment the version with USB-C is not in the catalog and the company has not informed when it will be available.
In our tests, the battery of the new AirPods has been the same as last year's model, about six hours of listening with noise cancellation activated and with approximately four or five recharges in the carrying case.
More listening modes
With the new version of iOS, the AirPods Pro also gain new features. This affects both the new AirPods Pro with USB-C and the model released last year with Lightning port.
Now, in addition to being able to perform active noise cancellation or activate transparency mode, the AirPods also have an intermediate option called adaptive audio. It works as a smart transparency mode with lots of muted sounds.
It is designed, for example, to walk around the city without completely losing traffic noise or listen to music or podcasts in situations where a little ambient noise is necessary, such as when cooking. The adaptive audio function automatically decreases some annoying or very loud sounds, but misses the sounds of conversations or the horn of a car.
It's quickly become our favorite way to use AirPods, except when we're in situations where full noise cancellation is preferable, like on an airplane.
The new AirPods in an Apple image
In addition to adaptive mode, Apple has also included a new feature that automatically detects when the user speaks and automatically lowers the volume or pauses playback if it deems a long conversation is starting.
This ends the usual show of asking someone to wait while we turn off sound cancellation before speaking by touching the headset temple. With the new adaptive mode and voice detection, you can simply carry on a conversation as if you didn't have headphones on and, when you're done, the music comes back. You'll hear even better than a conversation without headphones, as the AirPods Pro automatically attenuate background noises.
The new AirPods Pro with USB-C connection can be pre-ordered now and will begin shipping on September 22, along with the new iPhone. Its price is the same as the one that had the model with Lighnting, 279 euros.
- iPhone
- Apple Inc.