- AirPods Pro 2 are three years old in mid-2025 but remain competitive thanks to the H2 chip powering Adaptive ANC, Personalized Spatial Audio, and ultra‑low‑latency 5 GHz wireless.
- Late‑2023 USB‑C case retrofit added faster charging, IP54 dust resistance, and unlocked Lossless Audio with Vision Pro.
- Class‑leading ANC and natural Transparency mode keep the Pro 2 among the best in long‑term tests.
- Firmware version 6E188 released last October adds Hearing Test, Hearing AidBoost, and Hearing Protection features via free updates.
- July 2025 Prime Day price dropped to $149, a 40% discount and the lowest price on Amazon for AirPods Pro 2.
- The Verge in 2025 ranks AirPods Pro 2 as the top pick for Apple users, citing ecosystem integration and spatial audio amid competitors like Sony WF‑1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra.
- A 6 Months Later reviewer called the spatial audio on AirPods Pro 2 the most theater‑like among earbuds.
- AirPods Pro 3 is rumored for 2025 with in‑ear heart‑rate and temperature sensing, possibly blood‑oxygen tracking, with a September launch window.
- In pricing expectations, AirPods Pro 2 is likely to cost $149 today, while AirPods Pro 3 is rumored to be $249–$299.
- Bottom line: three years in, AirPods Pro 2 still lead due to USB‑C, the H2 chip, ongoing firmware updates, and a strong Prime Day discount.
Apple’s three‑year‑old AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the premium‑earbud conversation in mid‑2025. A perfect storm of aggressive Prime Day pricing, relentless software upgrades (including clinically validated hearing‑health tools), and future‑proof hardware like the H2 chip and USB‑C case means these buds are aging more like a fine wine than a forgotten gadget. Below is a deep dive into why they remain a compelling purchase, how they stack up to newer rivals, and what to expect from the coming AirPods Pro 3 refresh.
1. Hardware That Still Outclasses Most Rivals
• H2 chip keeps the soundstage fresh
The bespoke H2 SoC powers Adaptive ANC, Personalized Spatial Audio and ultra‑low‑latency 5 GHz wireless, a prerequisite for Vision Pro lossless audio [1]. According to SoundGuys’ lab measurements, AirPods Pro 2 remain “very good bets you’ll enjoy,” scoring high in timbre and low distortion [2].
• USB‑C case enabled lossless, dust resistance and faster charging
Apple retro‑fitted the Pro 2 with USB‑C in late‑2023; the port switch unlocked Lossless Audio with Vision Pro and added an IP54 dust rating, future‑proofing the buds in a way competitors often miss [3] [4].
• Class‑leading ANC and Transparency
Community long‑term tests still rank the buds’ ANC as “rivaling some over‑ears,” while Transparency mode remains among the most natural implementations on the market [5].
2. Software Updates That Turn Earbuds Into Health Devices
| Major iOS 18 Feature | What It Does | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing Aid | Boosts speech frequencies in real time | OTC hearing aid replacement [6] |
| Hearing Test | Five‑minute audiogram on‑device | Clinically validated results [7] |
| Hearing Protection | Monitors decibel exposure & adjusts volume | Automatic ear‑safety guard [8] |
Apple pushed the features via free firmware (version 6E188) last October, underscoring its “ship hardware, add features later” playbook [9]. Engadget notes that no other mainstream earbuds offer “clinic‑grade assistance” baked into the OS [10].
3. Record‑Low Pricing in July 2025
Prime Day slashed AirPods Pro 2 to $149 — a 40 % discount and their lowest price ever on Amazon [11] [12] [13]. Lifestyle outlets from People to Real Simple called the markdown “shocking” and predicted quick sell‑outs [14] [15]. With most flagship buds still retailing well above $200, the price‑to‑performance ratio strongly favors Apple this summer.
4. Competitive Landscape Check
The Verge’s 2025 rankings still list AirPods Pro 2 as the top pick “for Apple users,” noting that the ecosystem integration and spatial audio remain unmatched despite fierce competition from Sony’s WF‑1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra [16]. Independent reviewer 6 Months Later rated Apple’s spatial audio implementation “the most theater‑like” he has experienced on earbuds [17].
5. What Experts Say About the Future
“Apple is on track to unveil AirPods Pro 3 later in 2025 with in‑ear heart‑rate and temperature sensing.” — Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Power On [18]
“The H2 chip’s 5 GHz radio shows Apple is already laying groundwork for true lossless Bluetooth.” — Dan Barbera, MacRumors [19]
MacRumors’ rumor roundup adds that next‑gen buds may also gain blood‑oxygen tracking and improved battery chemistry [20], but Gurman stresses that the Pro 2 will remain in the lineup as the affordable option.
6. Should You Wait for AirPods Pro 3?
| Decision Factor | AirPods Pro 2 (Today) | AirPods Pro 3 (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Street Price | $149 Prime Day sale [21] | Likely $249–$299 launch |
| Health Sensors | Hearing‑aid suite now [22] | HR & temperature sensing [23] |
| Lossless | Vision Pro‑only today [24] | Wider device support expected |
| Launch Window | Available instantly | September event at earliest [25] |
Unless you specifically need heart‑rate data in‑ear, the cost savings and mature feature set make AirPods Pro 2 the smarter buy for most listeners.
7. Bottom Line
Three years in, AirPods Pro 2 are aging exceptionally well. Apple’s hardware foresight (USB‑C, H2), relentless firmware cadence, and an unprecedented Prime Day discount combine to keep them at the top of the recommendation pile. If you’re an iPhone user who values seamless pairing, industry‑leading ANC, emerging health tools and spatial audio that still feels magical, there has never been a better time to grab a pair.
Sources
- 9to5Mac — “Three reasons AirPods Pro 2 are still worth it” [26]
- MacRumors — “AirPods Pro 3: Everything we know” [27]
- MacRumors — “AirPods Pro 3 upgrades worth waiting for” [28]
- MacRumors — USB‑C H2 lossless explanation [29]
- The Verge — Hearing‑aid update overview [30]
- 9to5Mac — iOS 18.1 hearing‑health firmware news [31]
- 9to5Mac — Hearing Test feature deep dive [32]
- 9to5Mac — Hearing Protection analysis [33]
- Engadget — How Apple’s hearing‑aid tools work [34]
- SoundGuys — Audio‑quality lab scores [35]
- Reddit user long‑term review insights [36]
- The Verge — Best earbuds list 2025 [37]
- Tom’s Guide — Prime Day $149 deal [38]
- SFGate — Deal still live on Prime Day 2025 [39]
- Forbes — 40 % off AirPods Pro 2 deal [40]
References
1. www.macrumors.com, 2. www.soundguys.com, 3. 9to5mac.com, 4. www.macrumors.com, 5. www.reddit.com, 6. www.theverge.com, 7. 9to5mac.com, 8. 9to5mac.com, 9. 9to5mac.com, 10. www.engadget.com, 11. www.forbes.com, 12. www.tomsguide.com, 13. www.sfgate.com, 14. people.com, 15. www.realsimple.com, 16. www.theverge.com, 17. 6monthslater.net, 18. www.macrumors.com, 19. forums.macrumors.com, 20. www.macrumors.com, 21. www.sfgate.com, 22. 9to5mac.com, 23. www.macrumors.com, 24. www.macrumors.com, 25. www.macrumors.com, 26. 9to5mac.com, 27. www.macrumors.com, 28. www.macrumors.com, 29. www.macrumors.com, 30. www.theverge.com, 31. 9to5mac.com, 32. 9to5mac.com, 33. 9to5mac.com, 34. www.engadget.com, 35. www.soundguys.com, 36. www.reddit.com, 37. www.theverge.com, 38. www.tomsguide.com, 39. www.sfgate.com, 40. www.forbes.com
