When I reviewed the AirPods Pro 2 back in January 2023, they had already become my daily driver. I swapped out my Sony XM3s and haven’t looked back since. But what I didn’t expect was how much better these earbuds would get over time. Not through new hardware, but through continuous software updates that have made them smarter, more versatile, and far more capable than the day I bought them.
Most tech products tend to age; you get what you pay for at the start, and it only degrades over time. But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple for me, has flipped that idea. Over the past couple of years, the AirPods Pro 2 I use today feel noticeably better than the ones I bought in 2022. This isn’t typical – especially for wireless earbuds. But it’s the reality for anyone who’s stuck with these since the beginning.
AirPods Pro 2 in 2022: A Strong Start
When they first launched, the AirPods Pro 2 stood out for their excellent sound quality, responsive Noise Cancellation, and Transparency Mode. These features alone made them a solid upgrade from the first-gen AirPods Pro, and they quickly became a go-to option for many. I particularly appreciated how well the Transparency Mode worked, letting in just enough sound to stay aware of my surroundings, yet quieting things like loud traffic or sudden noise.
Then there was the ease of use. Pairing was a breeze, especially if you were already in Apple’s ecosystem. Switching between my iPhone, Mac, and iPad was seamless, and the skin-detection sensor added a subtle but important improvement in wear detection over previous models.
But the real value, it turns out, wasn’t fully realized at launch. Over time, software updates have turned these already capable earbuds into something even better.
2023: iOS 17 Brings Adaptive Audio and More
Fast forward to 2023, and iOS 17 arrives with updates that genuinely changed how I use the AirPods Pro 2. The introduction of Adaptive Audio was a big step forward. This feature automatically adjusts noise-canceling and transparency levels depending on where you are and what’s happening around you. It’s a feature that made them feel more intuitive—no need to constantly switch modes manually.
Another key feature was Conversational Awareness, which lowers the audio when it detects you’re speaking to someone. It’s simple, but it made interacting with people while wearing the earbuds much more natural.
On top of that, Personalized Volume came about to learning my preferences over time and adjusting sound levels based on my environment. This isn’t something you notice immediately, but over time, I found that I rarely needed to adjust the volume manually. It just worked.
These weren’t minor updates—they fundamentally enhanced the way I used my AirPods Pro 2. And users noticed other improvements as well, like faster pairing, faster switching between devices, and even better sound quality and battery life. It was impressive to see how much Apple was able to improve the experience without releasing new hardware.
2024: iOS 18 and Firmware Update 7A294
Things got even more interesting in 2024 with iOS 18 that’s dropping soon, and firmware version 7A294 that’s rolling out now. The firmware update is bringing in some surprisingly useful features, including head gestures. Now, you can simply nod to accept a call or shake your head to reject it, which is useful in situations where speaking out loud isn’t convenient. And it’s not just calls – this works with Siri notifications and messages too.
The update also introduces new sound feedback when using head gestures, giving you a subtle “bounce” in your ears when you nod to accept or reject calls, helping to confirm your action. There’s even a whole UI designed to guide you through the setup process, making the feature easy to use.
Another big addition is Voice Isolation for calls. This feature blocks out background noise and makes your voice clearer for the person on the other end. For anyone who takes calls in busy or noisy places, this makes a noticeable difference. Remember in my initial review, this was something I mentioned not being too strong, overtime this has changed to be so good with previous updates where people don’t even notice I am on Airpods. The new update promises to take that to a whole new level.
For gamers, there’s improved Personalized Spatial Audio that extends to games, along with reduced audio latency, making the AirPods Pro 2 better suited for immersive gameplay.
A New Focus on Hearing Health in 2024
When the AirPods Pro 2 launched in 2022, buyers were focused on sound quality, noise cancellation, and convenience. No one anticipated that these same earbuds would evolve into a tool for hearing health. Yet, in 2024, Apple is introducing a suite of features aimed at prevention, monitoring, and assistance, pending regulatory approval from authorities like the FDA.
Loud Sound Reduction is one of these features, designed to protect users from harmful noise levels in environments like concerts or busy streets. Integrated with Transparency and Adaptive Audio, this feature reduces loud, jarring sounds without compromising the listening experience—a significant upgrade no one saw coming in 2022.
Apple is also adding a Hearing Test feature, allowing users to check their hearing at home using pure-tone audiometry. Results are securely stored in the Health app and can be shared with healthcare providers. This goes beyond what anyone expected when they first purchased the AirPods Pro 2, adding an unexpected level of health monitoring.
Most notably, Apple is turning the AirPods Pro 2 into an over-the-counter hearing aid. Leveraging a personalized hearing profile from the hearing test, the earbuds will dynamically adjust sound for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. This transforms them into clinical-grade hearing aids, offering a more accessible and affordable solution – all through software, no new hardware required.
The Growing Value of AirPods Pro 2 Over Time
When you look at the trajectory of the AirPods Pro 2, it’s clear that these earbuds have defied the usual tech lifecycle. Instead of becoming outdated, they’ve grown more useful with each update. The features that have been added since 2022 have significantly increased their value, especially for those who bought them early. What started as a pair of premium earbuds has turned into an evolving tool for communication, entertainment, and even health.
For early adopters, this journey has been unique. It’s rare that a piece of hardware gets better over time, but that’s exactly what’s happened here. Most people who bought the AirPods Pro 2 probably didn’t expect all these improvements – yet here they are, benefitting from them without needing to buy anything new.
A Look at the Future of Tech
Apple’s approach to the AirPods Pro 2 feels like a masterclass in future-proofing technology. Rather than locking value behind new hardware, they’ve created a device that grows and evolves with software. In an industry where new models and upgrades seem to be released faster than you can keep up with – something even Apple does with their iPhones, the AirPods Pro 2 stand out. They’re a rare example of tech that continues to improve long after you’ve made the purchase, giving you more than you expected over time.
So, for anyone who’s still holding out or wondering if the AirPods Pro 2 are worth it, the answer is still a resounding yes.
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