Apple has essentially left the overall design and in-ear fit unchanged. The new AirPods Pro resemble their predecessors in appearance
The second-generation AirPods Pro have a better sound. Their active noise cancellation has improved noticeably. The volume can now be adjusted directly from the earbuds
The second-generation AirPods Pro face stiffer competition than ever before. Samsung and Google have both released excellent earbuds in the last few months
Sony is still in the game with the WF-1000XM4s and newer products like the LinkBuds S, while Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds provide excellent sound quality
Transparency mode now automatically muffles loud noises such as emergency sirens or a squeaking subway car
The AirPods Pro use the tried-and-true AAC codec over Bluetooth 5.3. I doubt many buyers will be concerned with that aspect
This time, Apple includes four sets of ear tips in the box: An extra-small size is the new fourth option
The first-generation tips easily attach to the newer AirPods Pro; second-generation replacement tips are sold separately
Bose won the noise-cancellation crown with its $300 QuietComfort Earbuds II, which perform better against human voices and higher-pitched everyday noises
The addition of onboard volume controls to the AirPods Pro hardware. You can change the volume by swiping your finger up and down the stem's capacitive "force sensor" section, which you'd normally press for music controls
In terms of security, the AirPods Pro case now includes the same U1 chip as an AirTag, allowing for precise location tracking
When you are away from home with your AirPods, you can activate the Find My network and be notified if other Apple devices cross their path