This seems to be the year I realized I’m no longer a professional. Instead of upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro, I’m planning to pre-order the iPhone 16. Instead of buying that sweet Apple Watch Ultra 2 in satin black, I’d rather I reserved the Apple Watch Series 10 in jet black.
And now, I’m even considering getting rid of my AirPods Pro 2 for the new Airpods 4. I already have a pre-order and am ready to potentially replace the last Pro Apple product I will own (after switching from the iPhone Pro to the Apple Watch Ultra, which is basically the Apple Watch Pro).
Since the AirPods Pro 2 are receiving some software updates and still have what will apparently be better noise cancellation, why should I get rid of them? Well, it has to do with two things.
Noise cancellation and fit are the factors.
The first reason, and the big reason, I’m considering upgrading from the AirPods Pro 2 is because of the fit. While the AirPods Pro 2 are great, the biggest problem I’ve always had with them is that every time I did any type of exercise or chewed too much gum, they fell out of my ears.
If I go out for a run, I will adjust the tips of the AirPods Pro over and over again. If I go on a hike, it will be the same. And don’t even try to do sit-ups or push-ups: those babies come out no matter how hard you try to secure them.
I found open-back headphones to be more comfortable, so I really want to try the AirPods 4 to see if they not only live up to this, but also if they actually end up being safer in my ears. That’s a great question since the AirPods Pro 2 offer four different ear tips for a more personalized fit, but several people have told me that the regular AirPods have stayed in their ears better than the Pro. I’ll have to see if I fall into that camp as well.
The second reason I’m considering a switch is that the AirPods 4 get the one feature I really stuck with the AirPods Pro for: noise cancellation. This is the most important feature of my headphones and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Being able to drown out external noise when you’re trying to concentrate at work, on a plane, or during a workout is a necessary feature these days.
With noise cancellation coming to the AirPods 4 with that open-ear design, I’m wondering if they’ll be a better option for someone like me who has fit and comfort issues with the AirPods Pro 2. I know the noise cancellation on the AirPods 4 won’t be as good as the noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2, but as long as they’re good enough, I’ll sacrifice a little performance here.
So that’s where I am. If the noise cancellation of the AirPods 4 is good enough for my use cases and solves my fit and comfort issues with the AirPods Pro 2, they could make me jump from a Pro to a non-Pro Apple product once again.
We’ll see what happens when they come out on September 20. I already have my pre-order!
