Comparison of AirPods Pro 2nd and 1st Generation (USB-C)

Posted by

andrej

On 26/03/2025

Comparison of AirPods Pro 2nd and 1st Generation (USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro remain among the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. However, there are several important differences between the 1st and 2nd generations that are worth considering. In this article, we’ll compare the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C) and 1st Gen to help you decide which model suits your needs best.

Key Differences: AirPods Pro 2nd Gen vs 1st Gen

Feature	AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C)	AirPods Pro 1st Gen
Chip	H2 – improved noise cancellation and sound	H1 – basic noise cancellation
Transparency Mode	Adaptive	Standard
Adaptive Audio	✅ Yes	❌ No
Conversation Awareness	✅ Yes	❌ No
Lossless Audio Support	✅ (with Apple Vision Pro)	❌ No
Charging Case	With speaker and U1 chip	Without speaker and U1 chip
Charging Port	USB-C	Lightning
Dust/Water Resistance	IP54 (dust and water)	IPX4 (water only)

Detailed Comparison

🔹 2nd Gen has the H2 chip, unlike 1st Gen which uses H1 — delivering better noise cancellation, energy efficiency, and sound processing.
🔹 2nd Gen supports Adaptive Transparency and Adaptive Audio, making listening more natural and comfortable in changing environments.
🔹 Conversation Awareness mode, which automatically lowers volume during speech, is exclusive to 2nd Gen.
🔹 Lossless Audio compatibility with Apple Vision Pro is available only in the 2nd Gen.
🔹 The 2nd Gen charging case includes a built-in speaker and U1 chip for precise location tracking with Find My — features not found in 1st Gen.
🔹 USB-C charging in 2nd Gen makes it more future-proof and convenient, especially for users of iPhone 15 and newer Macs.
🔹 IP54 protection in 2nd Gen adds dust resistance on top of water protection, whereas 1st Gen is only rated IPX4.

What is Lossless Audio?

Lossless audio refers to audio that is compressed without losing any detail from the original recording. This results in much higher sound quality compared to standard Bluetooth audio, which typically uses lossy compression. AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C) support Lossless Audio when used with Apple Vision Pro, delivering more precise and rich sound for audiophiles.

IP54 vs IPX4 Protection: What’s the Difference?

IPX4 means the device is resistant to water splashes from any direction, but it does not protect against dust. IP54, on the other hand, offers both limited protection from dust ingress and resistance to water splashes. This makes IP54-rated devices like the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C) more durable and reliable in various environments.

Which One to Choose: 1st or 2nd Gen?

If you value the highest sound quality, intelligent new features, and future-ready audio compatibility, the clear choice is AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (USB-C).
If you’re looking to save money and don’t need the latest features, the 1st Gen remains a solid option for everyday use.