Notably, that price is about $10 cheaper than the recently released one. amazon.com/dp/B0DGJ7HYG1?tag=theverge02-20″>$179 AirPods 4which also has active noise cancellation. Although the AirPods 4 are the newer product, the AirPods Pro give you more features for your money, so they're clearly the better buy right now.
The volume controls on the AirPods Pro 2 are also easier to manage, as you can use swipe gestures to make adjustments. With AirPods 4, you'd have to pick up your phone.
The second-generation AirPods Pro also continue to receive the latest software-based improvements and refinements, and that trend should continue as both models use the same H2 audio chip. Apple announced that iOS 18 will bring an accessibility feature to both AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 that will let you shake and nod your head to respond to Siri. They're also getting a voice isolation feature that uses machine learning to amplify your voice and silence wind or other ambient noise.
Some games will soon also support the Pro's spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, although this feature should eventually spread to the AirPods 4 as well. Some new features are even exclusive to the Pro. For example, they're about to be approved by the FDA like hearing aids.
