Apple AirPods 2019
Better sound than the originals, some upgrades to the already-impressive tech — the second-gen AirPods lift Apple’s game in the true wireless arena.
We confess to having had no immediate love for Apple’s AirPods when they first arrived — they looked daft, didn’t sound great, and didn’t create a seal against environmental noise. But they’re Apple, and Apple rarely gets such things entirely wrong, and soon the bus commute was awash with AirPod users drawn in by their magical design, cutting-edge tech and brand affinity.
There are two current offerings: the higher level AirPod Pro, and this second-generation model, which upgrades both the tech and, crucially, the sound quality compared with the originals. And the tech was good to start with. The connection is essentially flawless, with no drop-outs experienced at all in our listening. Initial pairing and switching connections were effortless; the case charges the earphones quickly; battery life is improved to five hours of listening with around another 19 available via the charging case — remembering that the wireless version of the charging case (which works with all Qi-compatible mats) is an optional extra costing $70 more.
Under the skin there’s a new chip, with the W1 of the original AirPods having been replaced by the H1, which allows faster pairing and switching between Apple devices, lower latency (good for gaming and videos), and better battery management for more talk time (but unchanged general battery longevity). It also allows hands-free voice control and voice assistance by saying ‘Hey Siri’ — though having this engaged affects battery life somewhat, so you can turn it off in the options if you’re not likely to need regular assistance.
And as of the launch of iOS13 last September, the AirPods also have a nifty new feature: ‘Audio Sharing’, which allows a second pair of AirPods to connect and listen to a single iPhone, great for listening with a friend. With iOS13 you can also have messages read to you and — subject to accurate voice recognition — read answers in reply. The built-in microphone was adept at picking up our voice even in loud areas.
Yet Apple has chosen not to address the much criticised fit of the AirPods; there’s still no way to customise them with silicone ear tips, as many other models offer. While the one-size-fits-all approach is laudable, for every person for whom the AirPods fit snugly enough for a run or a cycle, there’s another who can’t get them to stay in for the lightest of movements. The lack of physical buttons is a pain, too. Siri and user-specified double-tap controls are inadequate replacements, particularly when you’re exercising.
But it’s the sound quality rise which is the most welcome advance here. They go louder, for starters, which is doubly crucial given the AirPods isolate little outside noise (you need the AirPods Pros for that, which do have silicone eartips for custom fit, and a slightly shorter hanging stem on them as well).
Apple has stuck with a fairly neutral sonic balance, but the new AirPods add a degree of subtlety and sophistication their predecessors lacked. Low-level dynamic shifts were more granular and delicate, contrasts between quiet and loud more pronounced. There’s more detail, the presentation a little more open and spacious. Overall they delivered a noticeably more exciting and engaging performance.
These AirPods are still some way short of being perfect, still veering towards harshness at high volumes. But they remain a technical marvel, and while Apple is sticking to its guns in some areas, it does at least now offer the AirPods Pros if yoy’re looking for something more within the Apple family.