It's been about a month since Apple released these brand new AirPods. That means there are now three different options to choose from. AppleInsider helps you decide which route to go.
AirPods 2 perched on the original AirPods
A trio of options
Let's get these three AirPods options out of the way first before we get into any more of the technical stuff. Currently, there are three different options to choose from. There are the original AirPods which sell for $140 to $150, the new AirPods second generation without wireless charging at $159, and the new AirPods second generation with wireless charging at $199.
That's a lot of money for a pair of earphones. Yes, there are far more expensive earphones out there in the market but those other earphones are also not as small and convenient as Apple's AirPods. That's why they've gathered such an adoring fan base over the years.
These new AirPods haven't changed much from its predecessor. It physically looks and feels the same on hand. The satisfying *click* when opening the case is still here despite the very small, and unnoticeable hinge redesign. And the way it charges inside the case is exactly the same.
Before we get into what does separate these out, let's look again at the originals.
AirPods
The still somewhat expensive AirPods first gen some people would say are just average sounding earphones, and while they're right, it's really not all that bad from a truly wireless earphones standpoint. Sound quality is decent, there's plenty of bass here and it's not overdone, mids and highs are just ok, although not the worst in the market. AirPods was one of the very first truly wireless earphones that didn't have a huge clunky case, a design that didn't make you look like a robot and it's also the first pair of Bluetooth earphones that made connecting to a device so seamless thanks to that W1 chip. That alone made the AirPods such an iconic piece of tech. A simple and seamless way to connect to an Apple device.
With the second-generation AirPods, we get all of that, and a little bit more. Apple mentioned on their website "powered by the all-new Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods deliver a faster and more stable wireless connection to your devices -- up to 2x faster when switching between active devices, and a 1.5x faster connection time for phone calls. The H1 chip also drives voice-enabled Siri access and delivers up to 30 percent lower gaming latency so whether you're playing games, listening to music, or enjoying podcasts, you'll experience higher-quality sound."
AirPods Second Generation (left) and original AirPods (right)
Those differences add up to a winning experience, as we explored in our full review.
What all of that means in the real world is that you should notice the new AirPods connect to your iPhone, Mac or other iOS devices a lot quicker and you should also see less latency between audio and the visuals you're seeing on screen. You also now have access to Siri hands-free by saying "Hey Siri" and you can ask her to do the normal actions. All of that is thanks to the new H1 chip found on the new AirPods 2. You'll also get longer battery life when taking phone calls, but that's pretty much it in the battery department.
When it comes to sound quality, we haven't noticed a huge difference in quality between the first generation AirPods and the newer AirPods 2. This could all just be a placebo effect, but we did notice a very slight, and I mean really small difference in clarity on the newer pair. But it's nothing that you'll really notice day to day. This difference could also disappear as the drivers are broken in.
Which to choose
Those are the main differences between the two. But which one should you pick up if you're a first-time buyer? With three different options to choose from, it's pretty hard to say what you're looking for. With the $199 AirPods second generation, you get wireless charging, which if you haven't fully adapted to the wireless charging life, it's a game changer. But if wireless charging isn't your method-of-choice and prefer to top off using Lightning, then there's the $159 version is what you should look into, and if you ever change your mind about wireless charging, Apple sells just the wireless charging case for $79.
AirPods Second Generation (left) and original AirPods (right)
That pretty much leaves the original AirPods out of consideration unless you find them clearanced out well below that $159 price point or used on eBay for a decent savings. Still retailing at up to $150, it isn't worth the $10 discount to miss out on the better features of the second generation.
Where to buy
First-generation AirPods are currently on sale for $147 at Amazon, while second-generation AirPods are shipping now at Walmart with free 2-day shipping. Those who prefer to shop on Amazon can also backorder a pair of the latest AirPods with a short wait. For up-to-date prices and product availability, be sure to check out our AirPods Price Guide, which is updated throughout the day.