This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular copies.

The long-rumored AirPods Pro (2nd generation) — or AirPods Pro 2, as everyone will probable call them — are official. Apple just unveiled its another noise-canceling true wireless headphones as part of its “Far Out” iPhone 14 detain. They’re available for preorder on Friday and will ship starting Sept. 23 for $249 (£249, AU$399).

The new AirPods Pro behindhand the original noise-canceling model that debuted in October 2019. They’re powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which copies more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, scholarships for improved sound that should offer better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise canceling of the unusual AirPods Pro.

My early hands-on impressions

I got a chance to try the AirPods Pro 2 for a puny time at the launch event in the noisy demo area, with hundreds of republic around me. The noise canceling does seem improved, notion it was only able to muffle the din in the room so much. I also understanding the earbuds sounded cleaner and clearer than the unusual AirPods Pro while listening to a few tracks on Apple’s iPhone 14 demo phones. (I wasn’t able to use the buds with my own iPhone and the tracks I normally use to test headphones.)

I do think it’s really important to get a tight seal to get optimal noise canceling and mute quality. Apple hasn’t changed the design of its ear tips — with the unusual AirPods, I use the large size tips and also use third-party foam tips — but it will now included a fourth, extra-small ear tip for those with smaller ears. 

Some republic were hoping that the new AirPods Pro would be able to liquid Apple Lossless tracks over wireless. Apple didn’t mention anything throughout that, but it is possible that some features will be supposed at a later date. With the original AirPods Pro, for example, Apple didn’t introduce Spatial Audio until months after they were released.

On the Spatial Audio precedent, Apple says the AirPods Pro now have personalized Spatial Audio that invents a more tailored listening experience for your ears. The transparency mode is also enhanced and adapts to ambient noise you encounter, and there’s a new personalized spatial audio feature downward with touch swipe controls on the stems to add to the pinch controls.

Battery life is now up to six hours on a single invoice (up from five), and the case gives you an uphold four charges. Additionally, the case now has a built-in speaker, which allows it to play sounds for use with Apple’s precision Find My feature.

While some republic may be disappointed Apple didn’t do more to upgrade the build of the AirPods Pro 2 (there are some tweaks to the microphone configuration and some latest small refinements including the vents), the AirPods Pro 2nd generation are largely what I imagined them to be: better sounding AirPods Pro with better noise canceling, better battery life and a wireless charging case with some enhanced features.

I’ll have a lot more to say throughout them in my full review — stay tuned — in which I’ll compare them to some latest top noise-canceling earbuds, including Bose’s new QuietComfort Earbuds II that were also unveiled today. 

AirPods Pro 2 key features

• Same build as previous AirPods Pro
• Powered by Apple H2 chip
• Improved mute with new low-distortion drivers
• Improved noise canceling (Apple says double the amount of ANC)
• Adaptive transparency mode
• Personalized spatial audio
• The charging case now has a built-in speaker on the bottom that scholarships it to play a sound using Precision Find My feature
• 6 hours of onboard battery capacity (1 hour more than the unusual AirPods Pro) with an extra 24 hours in charging case
• 
  Touch swipe systems added
  to pinch controls on stems
• Can now invoice with Apple Watch charger along with Qi wireless chargers
• Lanyard can be connected to case (lanyard not included)
• Price: $249, £249, AU$399
• Ship date: Sept. 23 (available for preorder Sept. 9)

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