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During Apple’s September hardware event last year, the company announced the iPhone 16 lineup, new AirPods, and an upgraded Apple Watch. I was most happy to see the AirPods 4 model, which introduced noise cancellation to the lineup for the first time and upgraded software features — but I was secretly hoping for the AirPods Pro 3.
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Unfortunately, a new AirPods Pro model didn’t appear. Instead, Apple announced auditory health features and valuable software upgrades available to the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, which have kept the device relevant even after years since launch.
With the AirPods Pro 2 on sale right now for just $169, you may wonder if buying them is still a good idea in 2025. The short answer is yes, not just for the sale price. Here’s why.
Apple hasn’t ditched the AirPods Pro 2. Why should you?
A tell-tale sign that a company is phasing out a product is when it is no longer compatible with the latest software updates. During last year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced two major software upgrades for the AirPods Pro 2.
Siri Interactions and Voice Isolation make the AirPods Pro 2 more intuitive to use and further enhance their integration with other Apple devices. I always wear my AirPods at the grocery store and accepting or declining calls with a nod or shake of my head when my hands are full of groceries is very convenient. The improved voice isolation ensures the person on the other end can hear me loud and clear, especially with the Sunday afternoon grocery store crowd in the background.
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Additionally, the US FDA has granted Apple approval to classify the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds as over-the-counter hearing aids. The earbuds can perform a clinically graded hearing test to make them more than a vessel for listening to music and taking phone calls.
The most unique (and important) Pro feature
Although the latest AirPods 4 bridge the software gap between them and the more premium AirPods Pro 2, the latter are more comfortable to wear for extended periods and deliver the most advanced audio experience.
The AirPods Pro 2’s silicon ear tips sport an in-canal design, which provides a more immersive listening experience. Historically, Apple products that bear the “Pro” moniker have slight but powerful design variations that make them more suitable for professionals and creatives.
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In this case, the silicon ear tips put the “pro” in the AirPods Pro 2. The other AirPods options are in-ear earbuds, meaning they rest on the outside of your ear and allow more ambient noise into your ears, offering a more open-ear sound experience.
The AirPods Pro 2’s in-canal fit creates a tighter seal between your ear and the outside world. They’re best for people who frequently take and make hands-free calls or need the full extent of these earbuds’ noise-canceling capabilities. Although the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation share the same audio chip and features as the Pro 2, the differences in fit completely alter how the earbuds interact with your ears.
Why you should wait for the AirPods Pro 3
If you want your AirPods to have even more advanced functions, your best bet is with the upcoming AirPods Pro 3. The consumer audio industry has almost reached a ceiling in terms of wireless sound quality and noise cancellation, requiring companies to give people other reasons to spend $250+ on a pair of earbuds.
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If you own mostly Apple devices and want a pair of premium earbuds that sound great, are comfortable, and offer excellent noise cancellation, you can’t get much better than the Pro 2 earbuds. However, if you want earbuds that offer features beyond sound quality and noise-canceling, the AirPods Pro 3 might be worth the wait. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upcoming model may explore features like a heart-rate sensor, integrated cameras, improved health monitoring, a new chipset, and a redesigned case.
ZDNET’s buying advice
$70 off a pair of AirPods Pro 2 is a nearly 30% discount. As per ZDNET’s rating system, I give this deal a near-perfect score of 4/5. I highly recommend AirPods to people with at least one Apple device, especially an iPhone. You can use AirPods with non-Apple devices, too, but the functionality will be more limited. Right now, they’re on sale for $169 at Walmart — a steal for any earbuds of this caliber, but particularly for Apple’s.
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If those purported features don’t excite you, the AirPods Pro 2 will do just fine. Keep an eye out for sales; you can frequently find these earbuds for under $200, not much more than the new AirPods 4 with noise cancellation. My only regret regarding my AirPods Pro 2 earbuds is that I paid full price for them. Still, even at full price, they are cheaper (and more advanced) than competing wireless earbuds from Sony, Bose, and more.
