My Honest Take on Apple AirPods Pro 2: Worth the Upgrade?

I've been using the standard Apple AirPods 2 for almost two years now, but lately, I've been experiencing ear discomfort after extended wear. That's when someone suggested I try the Pro version, and I'm glad I did – the problem is gone, and they fit my ears perfectly.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 reviewCost and where I bought themI picked up the headphones on Ozona for 22,612 ₽, after filtering through a ton of offers. I mostly shop on Ozona, and I have to say, I was shocked by the number of fake products I found. Some of them were even marked as "Original" by Ozona, but the price was around 40% lower, and the customer reviews were telling a different story...

In the end, sorting by rating and number of orders helped me avoid the problem. There were some lower "almost-original" prices, but without any customer reviews, I decided to play it safe.

One thing that caught my eye was the packaging – it's a standard small box with a minimalist design. The box has different information on each side, and of course, the iconic Apple logo on two of them.

Opening the box is pretty straightforward – you just need to tear off the two strips at the top.Inside, you'll find the earbuds themselves (initially wrapped in a matte plastic cover), the documentation, the charging cable, and a set of ear tips in different sizes (XS, S, L). Some of the ear tips are already attached to the earbuds – I left them as is, and they fit perfectly.

Reviewing Apple AirPods Pro 2Earbud removal and the protective caseInstructionsThe charging cable is pretty standard – nothing to write home about.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 charging cableI've been using the old Apple AirPods 2, and I've kept the new one in storage until they get chewed up by the cats or I lose them somewhere. I've been putting off using the Pro version because I wasn't sure if it was worth the upgrade.

The AirPods Pro 2 also support wireless charging and can be charged from my Apple Watch – I haven't tried it yet, but if it's mentioned, it's probably a feature that works.

The earbuds come with simple, yet comfortable, ear tips that fit any size:

Ambushes Apple AirPods Pro 2 in the packageIt's a bit scary to remove, you need to pull it really hard, but they don't seem to break Protective caseAll Apple earbuds users know how easily the case scratches and how quickly it goes from glossy to matte. That's why I immediately ordered a case. I wanted to buy a few more for fun, but now I'm not so sure...

This case is made of a very dense material, more like plastic, and it's in two separate parts. Removing it from the bottom part is incredibly hard, it's snugly fitted with no gap and doesn't stretch. So, if you're going for the same design, don't put it on until you've connected all your devices and pressed the button through it. You can easily remove the case's lid while pulling the bottom part down.

Overall, I like it. It's a high-quality case that does its job perfectly and looks good with my phone.

I've got all the necessary cutouts for this model: The case now has a built-in clip, which reminded me of the early 2000s when they were on the first black-and-white button phones. I had a similar clip on my first Motorola C200, which I used to wear on a chain around my neck. Oh, the nostalgia. I wouldn't use something like that now – a ring on the case looks way more secure. It's the same thing I used on my previous earbuds. You clip it onto your bag, and it's convenient and visible.By the way, it was this clip that helped me pull the case on when I put it on too early. I slowly pressed down on it with a wooden toothpick and used a lever to move it back and forth. So, it turned out to be useful after all.

Another cool feature is the built-in speaker on the case. It helps you locate the earbuds. But the "find my earbuds" feature is a bit of a letdown. After using them, I put them back in the case, check the locator, and my phone tells me they're not connected. I try to connect them again without messing with the earbuds, and they still don't connect. I'm not sure what the point of the locator is if it only works when they're connected...The case is a bit larger than the old AirPods 2 case, maybe by 30%, and it's a bit heavier. It still feels a bit awkward.

Control and ease of useI have to say, I prefer the control layout on these earbuds. Instead of tapping on the earbuds themselves, you can use the sensors on the stems to control volume, track switching, play/pause, answer calls, toggle noise cancellation/ transparency, and even activate Siri. I like that you can adjust the volume – with the old model, I had to either use my phone or my watch (which had a pretty big volume jump). Here, it's just a matter of gliding your finger along the stem, and you're good to go 🙂

I've got to say, the earbuds are super comfortable and fully contoured – no pressure points on my ears whatsoever. The ear tips are ridiculously soft:

Apple AirPods Pro 2New FeaturesI'm not exactly a seasoned earbuds owner, so I've never had to deal with noise cancellation before. And let me tell you, I was blown away by this feature – it's like a switch flips and suddenly all the background noise just disappears or fades way into the distance. Someone opens their mouth and you're left with just some faint echoes in the background, and even that's only because you're actively listening for it. Then there's the transparency mode, and it's like a total flip – you can hear everything around you again.

Of course, this feature isn't exactly designed for cycling or anything – I mean, who knows what could happen? But for everyday use, it's a total game-changer. I've been using it at home when someone's blasting music on their phone, or in public places like shopping centers where I don't have to worry about getting hit by a car.

Battery LifeI didn't time it exactly, but the earbuds last around 5 hours on a single charge. And they charge up super quickly in the case – one full charge of the case gives you around 3-4 full charges of the earbuds. If you turn off all the extra features (noise cancellation and transparency mode especially kill the battery), they'll last way longer than that.

Connecting to my iPhone (11)I was blown away by how quickly it paired – it took just a few seconds. The screen displayed a standard 3D model of the case and earbuds, along with their charge levels:

All the settings are tucked away in a dedicated section on my phone:

One of the coolest features is the ability to set up a setting that makes the audio track follow your head movements, creating a seriously immersive experience. But to get this working, I had to scan my ears – and, to be honest, I needed a bit of help from someone else:

Sound QualityI'm blown away by the sound quality, even without using the latest feature. It's way deeper and fuller than my old AirPods 2. There are even some decent bass notes. I'm no audiophile, but for me, this is the ultimate sound experience.

Conversations are crystal clear – both for me and the person I'm talking to. I've had issues with sound quality in the past, especially in noisy areas or windy conditions. But these earbuds have solved that problem.

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I highly recommend these earbuds, especially if you're coming from an older version that feels clunky and uncomfortable. The options are way more extensive than AirPods 2, and there are plenty of new features that make life easier. From a value for money perspective, I think the price is more than fair. My previous earbuds lasted almost two years, and they still work like a charm. I'm expecting the same from these.