Apple’s second-generation AirPod Pros aren’t the stemless, earth-shattering buds I was hoping they would be. Instead, Apple took an already great product and added some simple upgrades to battery life, some minor case improvements, and added a new H2 chip for better audio quality and active noise cancellation. But the $249 earbuds are contending with fiercer competition than ever before. Over the last few months alone, we’ve seen excellent earbuds released by Samsung, Google, and Sony that all give the second-generation AirPods a run for their money. If you aren’t tied to the Apple ecosystem it is now safe to say there are better options available. Listen to Becca's playlist here - YouTube: https://bit.ly/3xYAkL2 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DVRrks 0:00 - Intro 0:28 - Active Noise Cancellation Test 2:10 - Active Transparency Mode 2:38 - Case and Earbud Changes 3:23 - Mic Test 4:31 - Audio Quality 5:52 - Battery Life 6:19 - Conclusion If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy: http://bit.ly/2TQsqjB You can get the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) here: https://amzn.to/3BMeDPo Subscribe: http://goo.gl/G5RXGs Like The Verge on Facebook: https://goo.gl/2P1aGc Follow on Twitter: https://goo.gl/XTWX61 Follow on Instagram: https://goo.gl/7ZeLvX The Vergecast Podcast: https://pod.link/430333725 Decoder with Nilay Patel: http://apple.co/3v29nDc More about our podcasts: https://www.theverge.com/podcasts Read More: http://www.theverge.com/ Community guidelines: http://bit.ly/2D0hlAv Wallpapers from The Verge: https://bit.ly/2xQXYJr