Updated September 2026: in September 2022 I called the AirPods Pro 2 launch disappointing: the same design, no word on lossless audio, and none of the rumoured health sensors. I have rewritten it with what AirPods Pro have gained since and whether those complaints still apply.
My disappointment was specific. The second-generation AirPods Pro kept the original design, Apple said nothing about lossless audio despite the new H2 chip, and the fitness and health sensors that rumours had promised did not appear. Several of those gaps have since been addressed, in part.
What did AirPods Pro 2 actually improve?
More than the launch suggested. The H2 chip brought noticeably stronger noise cancellation and a better transparency mode, battery life improved, and the case gained a speaker for Find My and a lanyard loop. In 2023 Apple switched the case to USB-C. Later software updates added adaptive audio and conversation awareness, which adjust noise control and lower media volume when you speak.
Did AirPods get lossless audio?
Only in a limited way. The USB-C AirPods Pro 2 support lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro. Over ordinary Bluetooth from an iPhone, AirPods still do not play true lossless audio, because Bluetooth bandwidth is the limit. For most listeners, the difference is hard to hear in everyday conditions.
What about health features?
Apple added hearing health features to AirPods Pro 2 in 2024, including a hearing test and, where approved, a hearing aid function, along with hearing protection in loud environments. Availability depends on your country. In 2025, the AirPods Pro 3 added heart-rate sensing during workouts, which is close to what the 2022 rumours described.
Were my complaints fair?
The design point was fair; it barely changed. The lossless point remains mostly true. The health point was right about the launch but has been answered over time. Apple often ships hardware first and adds features through software later, which makes launch-day judgements harsh in hindsight.
Which AirPods Pro should you buy now?
If you want heart-rate tracking, the newest model. If not, a discounted AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C remains an excellent pair of earbuds, and gets many of the same software features. Check which hearing features are available in India before counting on them.