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.
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.
