Meet Apple’s AirPods Pro: its new smart noise-cancelling earbuds

Apple’s AirPods just got even better. The Cupertino company on Monday announced the addition of the AirPods Pro to its wireless audio range.

This finally puts to rest rumours that Apple was indeed working on another pair of AirPods for debut this year.

The Pro version now fits within the ear canal thanks a tapered design and malleable tips.

They also now feature active noise cancellation (ANC), an IPX4 level of water resistance, and two microphones.

Those microphones power the devices’ ANC, which sample ambient noise and adjust accordingly.

Apple’s also included an ambient mode, or what it calls “Transparency” mode, which allows users to momentarily cancel ANC to hear environmental sounds.

As for battery life, the buds provide 4.5 hours of playback with ANC on, while the Apple H1 chipset provides on-board Siri controls.

The buds also support “Audio Sharing” which “makes it easy to listen to the same song or watch the same movie with a friend by simply bringing a second pair of AirPods close to iPhone or iPad,” Apple explains.

The charging case also returns, and supports Qi wireless charging or connection via a Lightning cable. That’s right, Apple just can’t seem to let go.

More importantly, the case gives you “over 24 hours” of music playback.

As for the price, Apple’s AirPods Pro will retail for $249 and will be available from Apple’s website from 30 October.

South African pricing and availability details have yet to be confirmed.

Feature image: Apple