Apple AirPods 2 Vs AirPods: what's the difference?

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AirPods have been Apple's best product for years. Their intuitive and clever user experience has conquered fans around the world and silences critics who ridicule their polarizing design. But the AirPods were launched in 2016 and have been waiting for an update for a long time. Now AirPods 2& nbsp;are& nbsp;here, and you might be surprised by what Apple has changed and has not changed … & nbsp;

Note: Apple is just calling the new 'AirPods' model but, to avoid confusion, I'll call it 'AirPods 2' in this guide.

Design – The looks of love / hate remain

The most amazing aspect of the AirPods 2 is perhaps what Apple has not changed: their design.

• AirPods, AirPods 2 – 16.5 x 18 x 40.5 mm (0.65 x 0.71 x 1.59 inches), 4 g (0.14 oz) each
• AirPods Battery Charger, AirPods 2 – 44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm (1.74 x 0.84 x 2.11 inches) 38 g (1.34 oz)

Yes, side by side, there is no way to distinguish the AirPod 2 from their predecessor. There is a new, slightly heavier (40g) wireless charging cradle, but this is an upgrade option for AirPods 2 and can be purchased separately for AirPod owners – you'll find out more later.

In summary, the new AirPods still look like toothbrush heads and there is not even a new color to spice things up. So, if the design of the originals was a blow for the first time, it will be so again.

Performance – Efficiency & gt; Sound quality

The good news is that when you look deeper, the AirPods 2 make significant changes.

The new "H1" chip replaces the proprietary W1 chip in the original AirPods. H1 stands for efficiency: AirPods pair 2 faster, latency reduced by 30% (excellent for gamers), device switches twice as fast and talk time increased by 50%. Apple also indicates that H1 provides a more stable connection, even though it was already excellent with AirPods.

Which brings us to the main function of H1: "custom audio architecture". In practice, this means that the AirPod 2 is activated by voice. Just say "Hey, Siri" and you can make calls, change songs, adjust volume, give instructions, answer questions, and so on. Before activating Siri, you had to double tap an earpiece.

AirPods have always been a matter of convenience, and AirPods 2 are needed.

On the other hand, the AirPods 2 provide no improvement in sound quality. The AirPods have always provided adequate sound without disrupting the rendering of specialized brands such as Bose and Sony, and this continues. Sales show that the AirPods are enough for most buyers, but the AirPod 2 will not win the audiophiles.

Battery Life – Necessary Bosses

As mentioned above, the AirPods have 50% longer call durations but, in reality, the two to three hour switch was essential and simply put them in phase with the competition. More impressively, you'll now have over 24 hours of battery life for the AirPods 2 case, which should be enough to last a week or more between refills.

The AirPod 2 also offer three hours of listening or two hours of talk from just 15 minutes of charge. It's impressive, but the AirPods did the same.

What draws attention is the new AirPods 2 wireless charging box. Visually, it looks almost identical to the wired case, except for a tiny charge indicator on the front, but it works with all Qi chargers. The case is also compatible with the AirPod, but at a significant cost that brings us to …

Price – wireless costs

The good news is that the AirPod 2s have the same asking price as the AirPods, but integrate wireless charging and things get a little more appealing:

• AirPods / AirPods 2 – $ 159 (& pound; 159)
• AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case – $ 199 (£ 199)
• Wireless Charging Case (sold separately) – $ 79 (£ 79)

At $ 159, the AirPods are good value for money and those who favor wireless charging should be happy to pay the $ 40 premium for the wireless charging model. That said, the separate purchase of the wireless box is expensive. To put this in the content: the excellent OnePlus Wireless Bullets costs $ 10 less than this case ($ 69) and offers better sound quality.

First verdict

The AirPods 2 is a solid upgrade (though not spectacular) that brings significant improvements in battery life, efficiency, and usability to the original model. That said, I can understand why Apple did not call them AirPods 2 because they look more like a v1.5. "AirPods 1S", if you want.

Those who have been waiting for AirPods 2 will not be disappointed, but there are few benefits to improving if you already have AirPods. Ironically, given their identical price, design and name, I think many buyers will not even notice the differences – even if they're welcome.

Personally, after more than two years, I would have liked Apple to be a little more ambitious. But the AirPod 2 make the necessary changes to remain competitive and therefore remain the best option in fact for the vast majority of iPhone owners.

___

Follow Gordon on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

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AirPods have been Apple's best product for years. Their intuitive and clever user experience has conquered fans around the world and silences critics who ridicule their polarizing design. But the AirPods were launched in 2016 and have been waiting for an update for a long time. Now AirPods 2 are here, and you might be surprised by what Apple has and has not changed …

Note: Apple is just calling the new 'AirPods' model but, to avoid confusion, I'll call it 'AirPods 2' in this guide.

Design – The looks of love / hate remain

The most amazing aspect of the AirPods 2 is perhaps what Apple has not changed: their design.

• AirPods, AirPods 2 – 16.5 x 18 x 40.5 mm (0.65 x 0.71 x 1.59 inches), 4 g (0.14 oz) each
• AirPods Battery Charger, AirPods 2 – 44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm (1.74 x 0.84 x 2.11 inches) 38 g (1.34 oz)

Yes, side by side, there is no way to distinguish the AirPod 2 from their predecessor. There is a new, slightly heavier (40g) wireless charging cradle, but this is an upgrade option for AirPods 2 and can be purchased separately for AirPod owners – you'll find out more later.

In summary, the new AirPods still look like toothbrush heads and there is not even a new color to spice things up. So, if the design of the originals was a blow for the first time, it will be so again.

Performance – Efficiency> Sound Quality

The good news is that when you look deeper, the AirPods 2 make significant changes.

The new "H1" chip replaces the proprietary W1 chip in the original AirPods. H1 stands for efficiency: AirPods pair 2 faster, latency reduced by 30% (excellent for gamers), device switches twice as fast and talk time increased by 50%. Apple also indicates that H1 provides a more stable connection, even though it was already excellent with AirPods.

Which brings us to the main function of H1: "custom audio architecture". In practice, this means that the AirPod 2 is activated by voice. Just say "Hey, Siri" and you can make calls, change songs, adjust volume, give instructions, answer questions, and so on. Before activating Siri, you had to double tap an earpiece.

AirPods have always been a matter of convenience, and AirPods 2 are needed.

On the other hand, the AirPods 2 provide no improvement in sound quality. The AirPods have always provided adequate sound without disrupting the rendering of specialized brands such as Bose and Sony, and this continues. Sales show that the AirPods are enough for most buyers, but the AirPod 2 will not win the audiophiles.

Battery Life – Necessary Bosses

As mentioned above, the AirPods have 50% longer call durations but, in reality, the two to three hour switch was essential and simply put them in phase with the competition. More impressively, you'll now have over 24 hours of battery life for the AirPods 2 case, which should be enough to last a week or more between refills.

The AirPod 2 also offer three hours of listening or two hours of talk from just 15 minutes of charge. It's impressive, but the AirPods did the same.

What draws attention is the new AirPods 2 wireless charging box. Visually, it looks almost identical to the wired case, except for a tiny charge indicator on the front, but it works with all Qi chargers. The case is also compatible with the AirPod, but at a significant cost that brings us to …

Price – wireless costs

The good news is that the AirPod 2s have the same asking price as the AirPods, but integrate wireless charging and things get a little more appealing:

• AirPods / AirPods 2 – $ 159
• AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case – $ 199 (£ 199)
• Wireless Charging Case (sold separately) – $ 79 (£ 79)

At $ 159, the AirPods are good value for money and those who favor wireless charging should be happy to pay the $ 40 premium for the wireless charging model. That said, the separate purchase of the wireless box is expensive. To put this in the content: the excellent OnePlus Wireless Bullets costs $ 10 less than this case ($ 69) and offers better sound quality.

First verdict

The AirPods 2 is a solid upgrade (though not spectacular) that brings significant improvements in battery life, efficiency, and usability to the original model. That said, I can understand why Apple did not call them AirPods 2 because they look more like a v1.5. "AirPods 1S", if you want.

Those who have been waiting for AirPods 2 will not be disappointed, but there are few benefits to improving if you already have AirPods. Ironically, given their identical price, design and name, I think many buyers will not even notice the differences – even if they're welcome.

Personally, after more than two years, I would have liked Apple to be a little more ambitious. But the AirPod 2 make the necessary changes to remain competitive and therefore remain the best option in fact for the vast majority of iPhone owners.

___

Follow Gordon on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

More about Forbes

Apple iOS 12.1.4: Do you need to upgrade?

The problems of Apple's iPhone 5G are expected to continue until in 2020

Apple iPhone XS vs iPhone XR: what's the difference?

iPhone XS vs iPhone X: what's the difference?

iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max: What's the difference?