The Airpods Pro 2 Are Still On Sale - Here's Why They're Legit In 2025

Jada Jones/ZDNET

During Apple's September hardware event last year, nan institution announced nan iPhone 16 lineup, new AirPods, and an upgraded Apple Watch. I was astir happy to spot nan AirPods 4 model, which introduced sound cancellation to nan lineup for nan first clip and upgraded package features -- but I was secretly hoping for nan AirPods Pro 3.

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Unfortunately, a caller AirPods Pro exemplary didn't appear. Instead, Apple announced auditory wellness features and valuable package upgrades disposable to nan AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, which has kept nan instrumentality applicable moreover aft years since launch.

With nan AirPods Pro 2 connected waste correct now for conscionable $195, you whitethorn wonderment if buying them is still a bully thought successful 2025. The short reply is yes, not conscionable for nan waste price. Here's why.

Apple hasn't ditched nan AirPods Pro 2. Why should you?

A tell-tale motion that a institution is phasing retired a merchandise is erstwhile it is nary longer compatible pinch nan latest package updates. During past year's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced 2 awesome package upgrades for nan AirPods Pro 2.

Siri Interactions and Voice Isolation make nan AirPods Pro 2 much intuitive to usage and further heighten their integration pinch different Apple devices. I ever deterioration my AirPods astatine nan market shop and accepting aliases declining calls pinch a motion aliases shingle of my caput erstwhile my hands are afloat of groceries is very convenient. The improved sound isolation ensures nan personification connected nan different extremity tin perceive maine large and clear, particularly pinch nan Sunday day market shop crowd successful nan background.

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Additionally, nan US FDA has granted Apple approval to categorize nan AirPods Pro 2 earbuds arsenic over-the-counter proceeding aids. The earbuds tin execute a clinically graded proceeding trial to make them much than a alloy for listening to euphony and taking telephone calls.

The astir unsocial (and important) Pro feature

Although nan latest AirPods 4 span nan package spread betwixt them and nan much premium AirPods Pro 2, nan second are much comfortable to deterioration for extended periods and present nan astir precocious audio experience.

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The AirPods Pro 2's silicon receptor tips athletics an in-canal design, which provides a much immersive listening experience. Historically, Apple products that carnivore nan "Pro" moniker person flimsy but powerful creation variations that make them much suitable for professionals and creatives.

In this case, nan silicon receptor tips put nan "pro" successful nan AirPods Pro 2. The different AirPods options are in-ear earbuds, meaning they remainder connected nan extracurricular of your receptor and let much ambient sound into your ears, offering a much open-ear sound experience.

The AirPods Pro 2's in-canal fresh creates a tighter seal betwixt your receptor and nan extracurricular world. They're champion for group who often return and make hands-free calls aliases request nan afloat grade of these earbuds' noise-canceling capabilities. Although nan AirPods 4 pinch sound cancellation stock nan aforesaid audio spot and features arsenic nan Pro 2, nan differences successful fresh wholly change really nan earbuds interact pinch your ears.

Why you should hold for nan AirPods Pro 3

If you want your AirPods to person moreover much precocious functions, your champion stake is pinch nan upcoming AirPods Pro 3. The user audio manufacture has almost reached a ceiling successful position of wireless sound value and sound cancellation, requiring companies to springiness group different reasons to walk $250+ connected a brace of earbuds.

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If you ain mostly Apple devices and want a brace of premium earbuds that sound great, are comfortable, and connection fantabulous sound cancellation, you can't get overmuch amended than nan Pro 2 earbuds. However, if you want earbuds that connection features beyond sound value and noise-canceling, nan AirPods Pro 3 mightiness beryllium worthy nan wait. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, nan upcoming exemplary whitethorn research features like a heart-rate sensor, integrated cameras, improved wellness monitoring, a caller chipset, and a redesigned case.

ZDNET's buying advice

I highly urge AirPods to group pinch astatine slightest 1 Apple device, particularly an iPhone. You tin usage AirPods pinch non-Apple devices, too, but nan functionality will beryllium much limited. Right now, they're on waste for $195 astatine Walmart -- a bargain for immoderate earbuds of this caliber, but peculiarly for Apple's.

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If those purported features don't excite you, nan AirPods Pro 2 will do conscionable fine. Keep an oculus retired for sales; you tin often find these earbuds for nether $200, not overmuch much than nan caller AirPods 4 pinch sound cancellation.

My only regret regarding my AirPods Pro 2 earbuds is that I paid afloat value for them. Still, moreover astatine afloat price, they are cheaper (and much advanced) than competing wireless earbuds from Sony, Bose, and more.