I’ll come clean, I’ve not really been a fan of Apple AirPods. I just couldn’t get past the look. Good commuter headphones that slot neatly into Apple’s universe of products, maybe, but I couldn’t buy into them as proper running-friendly headphones. However, that’s just changed. The launch of the Apple AirPods Pro has given me good cause to rethink. And here’s why. Here are my first impressions of the new flagship buds.
1. Finding your fit is made really easy: You get three sizes of ear tips and there’s a clever little test you can do with your phone at set up that helps you find the right size – aka seal – for your ears.
2. They stay put: I’ve tried to shake them loose on runs and they’ve stayed well put. However…
3. The controls are a bit fiddly and tuggy: Unlike most true wireless buds you don’t tap AirPods Pro. There’s a small groove on both buds that you squeeze to control music and toggle noise cancellation on/off. I found this tugged a little when you tried to do it at pace. They never fell out but it did worry me they would.
4. They’re very light: Each pod weighs just 5.4g (slightly lighter than the Jaybird Vista). The case weights 45.6g.
5. There’s powerful active noise cancellation: This is excellent. As a freelance I work a lot in noisy places and this blocks out 99% of the hubbub that stops me from concentrating. It also makes them great for silencing irritating gym Euro House.
6. Transparency mode: This almost bone-conduction-like audio mode lets ambient sound in. And it’s not the same as having the noise cancellation switched off, it’s kind of oddly enhanced so that the outside sound sits better alongside your music. It’s an odd sensation this but good for running and cycling when situational awareness is important.
7. They are LOUD: The top volume is big. If you need your arse kicked up a hill by music, these will do it.
8. They are the best looking AirPods I’ve seen yet. But while they’re sportier than other AirPods models they’re still not the sportiest true wireless buds you can buy. A bit like the Apple Watch, the Apple AirPods Pro straddle a big chunk of ground between all-day headphones and buds that are good for fitness.
They’re designed with a firm eye on your commute to work rather than with fitness specifically in mind. That makes them prettier than most buds but they almost look too clean and slick to be worn on a big, long grubby trail ultra. I was also always put off by that weird long stem but that’s now much shorter. And that’s a good thing.
9. They’re running belt / pocket friendly: The charging case is slim and almost square with rounded edges that make it easy to slip into a pocket. The pods are held in place magnetically too so they won’t fall out in your pocket or bag.
10. They probably won’t stay pristine: They’re IPX4 rated – that means sweat and water resistant, so splash but don’t submerge. But even after just a day in my pocket, bag and popping them down on a wall to take a photo, I can see that the pristine white looks will pick up marks, particularly the case.
11. The battery life is a decent: You get 4.5 – 5 hours from the pods (Jaybird Vista has 6 hours), a further 19 hours in the charging case (Vista has 10 hours). Rapid charge 5 mins = 1 hour runtime. When you bring the case close to your phone and open it, you also get to see the battery life for pods and case. That’s very handy.
12. But they’re not cheap: At £249, compared to the Vista’s £159, you’re going to pay quite a hefty premium. Are all those tricks enough?
