Notably, that price is about $10 cheaper than the recently released $179 AirPods 4, which also has active noise cancellation. Although the AirPods 4 is the newer product, the AirPods Pro get you more functionality for your money, so it’s clearly the better buy right now.
The AirPods Pro 2’s volume controls are also easier to manage, as you can use swipe gestures to make adjustments. With AirPods 4, you’d have to reach for your phone.
The second-gen AirPods Pro continue to receive the latest software-based improvements and refinements, too, and that trend should continue since both models use the same H2 audio chip. Apple announced that iOS 18 will bring an accessibility feature for both the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 that’ll allow you to shake and nod your head to answer Siri. They’re also getting a Voice Isolation feature that uses machine learning to amplify your voice and hush wind or other ambient noise.
Some games will also soon support the Pro’s spatial audio with dynamic head-tracking, though this feature should eventually propagate to the AirPods 4 as well. Some new features are even exclusive to the Pro. For example, they’re nearing FDA clearance as hearing aids.
