Apple ups its headphones game by launching high-end AirPods Pro with noise-cancellation and water-proofing
- Apple’s Wearables, Home, and Accessories financial segment grew 48 per cent to more than US$5.5 billion last quarter
Apple has announced the AirPods Pro, a higher-end version of its popular wireless headphones that add noise-cancellation, water-resistance and a new design.
The model priced at US$249 will sell alongside the current US$159 version that launched in March, and marks the first time that Apple is segmenting its AirPods line in a significant way. The new model includes interchangeable flexible tips to improve their fit. That addresses a criticism of the original design, which first debuted in 2016, and also helps enable the noise cancellation feature for improved audio quality.
The Pro model has a feature called Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes songs for better sound and has an updated touch-sensitive stem that allows users to switch between noise-cancellation mode and transparency mode, to be able to hear around you. The new model will begin shipping October 30, Apple said in a statement Monday. The water-resistance should make the AirPods a better option for athletes, pitting them against the latest offerings from Apple’s Beats brand.
The high-end AirPods will include a wireless-charging case so it can be charged on standard charging pads. The wireless charging case is an extra cost on the lower-end AirPods.
Will Tim Cook’s university appointment help Apple in China?
The AirPods have quickly become one of Apple’s most popular products and have helped build up a wearable devices portfolio that also includes the Apple Watch and Beats headphones. The new headphones come at a critical time. Until this launch, Apple has not made meaningful functionality changes to the AirPods. Meanwhile, new players have entered the wireless earbuds space, including Amazon.com and Fitbit.
Apple’s Wearables, Home, and Accessories financial segment grew 48 per cent to more than US$5.5 billion last quarter. According to a report from Counterpoint Research earlier this year, AirPods held 60 per cent of the market for in-ear wireless headphones, putting them far ahead of rivals.
Bloomberg News reported last February that Apple was planning higher-end AirPods for 2019.
Apple on Monday also released iOS 13.2, which adds compatibility for the new AirPods with the iPhone. The software update also allows users to delete their Siri history, disable Siri recordings, adds new Emojis, and makes improvements to picture-taking.
For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
