Difference AirPods Pro 1 and 2

June 05 2025, by Mike van der Horst, 3 min reading time

Many people hesitate when buying new wireless earphones between the AirPods Pro 1 and AirPods Pro 2. The two models seem similar at first glance, but there are clear differences. In this article you will discover exactly what the difference is between the AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2 , so that you can make a good choice.

What are the main differences between the AirPods Pro 1 and Pro 2?

The difference between the AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods pro 2 is in the refinement. The second generation AirPods Pro offers improvements in several areas, such as better noise canceling, a longer battery life and more ease of use. The internal technology has also been improved thanks to the switch from the H1 chip to the H2 chip.

Design and fit compared

In terms of design, the first and second generation AirPods Pro are very similar. However, there is a difference in wearing comfort due to different fits. The AirPods Pro 2 come with four silicone ear tips instead of three. The extra XS size ensures a better fit for smaller ear canals. So that the AirPods Pro 2 stay in your ears better.

Active noise cancellation and sound quality

Both models feature active noise cancellation, but the AirPods Pro 2 filter out more unwanted noise. This is thanks to the improved H2 chip, which provides better sound quality and smarter noise cancellation. You hear music clearer, voices sound clearer and louder noise is filtered out and ambient noise is better suppressed.

Adaptive transparency and spatial audio

One of the most notable new features of the AirPods Pro 2 is the Adaptive Transparency mode. This mode automatically reduces loud sounds while still letting you hear speech or ambient noise, so you can hear what’s happening around you and have a simple conversation.

In addition, this model supports personal spatial audio, which provides three-dimensional sound imaging. And with volume adjustment via touch on the stem of the AirPods Pro 2, the ease of use is even better.

Battery and charging case

The battery life of the AirPods Pro 2 has also been improved. With a full charge, you get up to 6 hours of listening time, compared to 4.5 hours with the first-generation AirPods Pro. The charging case goes from 24 hours (Pro 1) to 30 hours (Pro 2).

The AirPods Pro 2 charging case is smarter, too. You can choose between a Wireless Charging Case with a Lightning connector or the newer USB-C MagSafe Charging Case. Both support wireless charging, but USB-C is the more future-proof option. The second-generation case also has a built-in speaker and is compatible with Apple's Find My app.

AirPods Pro FAQ

AirPods 1 vs Pro – Is It Worth Upgrading?

Absolutely. The in-ear AirPods Pro offer a better fit and greater comfort than the original AirPods 1. If you upgrade from regular AirPods to a Pro model, you will immediately notice the difference in sound quality and isolation.

AirPods pro 1 vs AirPods pro 2 – which one should I choose?

If you want the best of Apple’s wireless earbud audio technology, go for the second-generation, which offers better noise cancellation, more battery life, and handy features like adaptive transparency and improved noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro 1 are still excellent, but the AirPods Pro 2 are a bit smarter and more fully featured.