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<\/p>\nMY ears have been testing out Apple's brand new AirPods this past week \u2013 they can't get enough.<\/p>\n
I've been lugs-on with the new 2nd-generation Apple AirPods USB-C headphones, putting them through their paces to see if they're worth the $249\/\u00a3229 price tag.<\/p>\n
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The AirPods hardly need an introduction these days.<\/p>\n
But for clarity, the AirPods Pro are the more expensive noise-cancelling version of Apple's popular wireless earbuds.<\/p>\n
Apple unveiled a brand new version at its special September 2023 Wonderlust event with some very tempting upgrades.<\/p>\n
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the new AirPods Pro look exactly the same as the previous 2nd-gen version.<\/p>\n
That's not a bad thing \u2013 the AirPods Pro are some of the best-looking earbuds out there, and they're instantly recognisable too.<\/p>\n
The only real clue that something is different is on the bottom of the AirPods.<\/p>\n
You're not seeing things: the charging port has grown in size.<\/p>\n
That's because the old Lightning connector is gone, with USB-C now in its place.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n It's the same story for Apple's four new variants of the iPhone 15, announced just last week in California.<\/p>\n USB-C is a type of connector introduced in 2014 that is now widely popular on Android phones, computers and laptops, and even features<\/span> on newer Mac and iPad models<\/span>.<\/p>\n It's hard to overstate how exciting Apple's switch to USB-C is.<\/p>\n The new port means you'll be able to use the same cable to charge just about anything.<\/p>\n And while it might be annoying to see your old Lightning cables slowly phased out, it'll be much easier to use USB-C everywhere in the long run.<\/p>\n Another handy upgrade is the shift to IP54 rating, which means there's now additional dust-proofing for the Apple gadget.<\/p>\n I never found that dust was a particular issue for my AirPods, but a safer design is nothing to complain about.<\/p>\n And while it won't be much useful to the vast majority of people, there's been another clever change that super-fans will be happy about.<\/p>\n The new AirPods Pro offer "lossless audio with ultra-low latency".<\/p>\n This is designed with Apple Vision Pro in mind \u2013 that's the upcoming mixed reality "spatial computer" we're expecting next<\/span> year.<\/p>\n Apple is hoping you'll stick the new AirPods Pro in your eyes while you enjoy the headset for the best possible audio experience.<\/p>\n But it only really benefits<\/span> people willing to fork out $3,499 for the headset \u2013 unless Apple eventually serves up a cheaper headset down the line.<\/p>\n There are some other perks that come to all 2nd-gen AirPods Pro (yes, even the Lightning version) with iOS 17.<\/p>\n The big hitter is Adaptive Audio, which is designed to give you the best levels of noise-cancellation for your environment.<\/p>\n It's impressive and has become my default mode.<\/p>\n By contrast, the two alternatives are Noise Cancellation (to block out as much as possible) and Transparency (to draw in outside sound).<\/p>\n Adaptive Audio seems to be the best of both worlds. It shuts out most of the din of city life, but means that I won't miss the train announcer.<\/p>\n The second more general upgrade is called Conversation Awareness.<\/p>\n Apple designed it to lower the volume when you start speaking to someone nearby.<\/p>\n The feature will also enhance voices coming from in front of you and generally reduce background noise.<\/p>\n It's surprisingly effective, although it takes a few tries to start "trusting" it to do what you want \u2013 and not pausing your speech because you think it didn't work immediately.<\/p>\n Thirdly, there's a feature called Personalised Volume.<\/p>\n It's totally optional and will automatically adapt the AirPods Pro volume depending on things like your environmental conditions by learning your preferences over time.<\/p>\n Whether you like this or not will come down to personal preference, but I recommend giving it a go to see how well it does.<\/p>\n Look, the AirPods Pro aren't for everyone.<\/p>\n At $249\/\u00a3229, you're targeting people who care a little bit more about decent audio and shutting out the din of modern life.<\/p>\n If that's you then you can't really go wrong with the AirPods Pro.<\/p>\n They sound great for the size, delivering clear and balanced sound with respectable bass to boot.<\/p>\n The noise cancellation is incredibly effective for earbuds, and Adaptive Audio makes it even more useful.<\/p>\n They look good, last for ages, and work so mind-bogglingly seamlessly that it's hard to understand how Apple has crammed so much computational power into tiny pods that fit in your ears (the H2 chip is to thank).<\/p>\n And if you were holding out for USB-C, you've finally got the reason to switch.<\/p>\n The price is fair for earbuds in this range, and there are no better headphones for the iPhone in terms of usability.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TM-comp-Russell-Brand-STAGE-v2.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘HE’S A DEMON’ <\/span><\/p>\nWoman \u2018raped\u2019 by Brand was \u2018triggered\u2019 when she saw him at Olympics ceremony<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/RW-comp-PAUL-HOLLYWOOD-SEP17v4-3.jpg\")
<\/picture>ICING ON THE CAKE <\/span><\/p>\nPaul Hollywood, 57, soaks up sun as he prepares to marry girlfriend, 39<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-23993952-1694978292733.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘HE WENT TOO FAR’ <\/span><\/p>\nDannii Minogue calls Russell Brand ‘vile predator’ after incident on show<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-23993149-1694997224761.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘STAND UP’ <\/span><\/p>\nInside Brand’s explosive row with Rod Stewart over singer’s model daughter<\/h3>\n
Hear us out<\/h2>\n
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