Apple AirPods (2019) Review

The second generation AirPods are a lot like the first generation AirPods. 

There are small changes here and there, but they're still fundamentally the same product. What's different is the context. We're now living in a world where wire-free headphones are becoming normalised and everyone from Bose to Bang & Olufsen is trying their hand. 

Despite the pedigree of the manufacturers involved, AirPods are still the wire-free headphones to beat. Even if you're on Android.

Under the hood

The biggest addition to the second generation AirPods is a wireless charging case, but that costs extra. The standard pair (priced at $249) come with a standard case you'll charge with a Lightning cord. You'll pay a $70 premium if you want the Qi-enabled case, but I'm not sure if it's worth it right now - at least in most circumstances. Wireless charging is nifty, but plugging in a cord is hardly a hassle - especially when it’s the same cord that charges your iPhone anyway. There's slightly more merit to the wireless charging case if you have a phone with reverse wireless charging - like the Galaxy S10 or Huawei P30 Pro - but this isn't a feature that's available on any iPhone at present.

There are a few other technical changes under the hood. The most notable is the addition of a new in-house "H1" chip developed specifically for headphones. Apple says this chip delivers performance efficiencies, faster pairing, and enables hands-free Siri access. Rather than tapping an AirPod to launch Siri, you're now able to say "hey Siri" for voice controls. These let you request a track, adjust volume, and more. This works fine, but I found I just didn't use the functionality. Mostly because I feel a bit weird talking to Siri when I'm out and about, and I only really use AirPods on the go.

The new processor also means the second generation AirPods have an extra hour of talk time per charge (three hours, up from two on the first model). You'll still get five hours of music playback, which I've found is more than enough for pretty much anything other than a long haul flight. When combined with the charging case, you'll get as much as 24 hours of playback time or 18 hours of talk.

Otherwise, the second generation AirPods are a familiar beast. They look the same, they fit the same, they sound the same. Some of this is good, some isn't.

A familiar beast

When the original AirPods were announced, the design was divisive to say the least. Now, AirPods have almost become a status symbol. At the very least, they've been normalised. I used to feel self-conscious wearing my first set of AirPods. A year-and-a-half later, I don't give a shit. While part of me has clearly just become more comfortable with what was once considered an unconventional design, it doesn't hurt that everyone else is wearing them too.

That being said, I would have loved to see some slight changes to the AirPods form factor. As it stands, AirPods aren't great when it comes to noise isolation. They can be hard to hear when on public transport, and I often need to crank them a little louder than I'd like to hear my morbid music over the obnoxious playlist at the gym.

I find AirPods fit my ears quite well. I've never had them come loose when working out at the gym or vigorously headbanging to Dopethrone. Of course, your mileage (and ears) may vary - if possible, it's worth trying on a pair before taking the plunge. The fit is quite similar to the EarPods you get in the box with a new iPhone, so if EarPods fit, hopefully AirPods should work for you too.

On a similar note, if you've ever used EarPods, you already know what to expect from AirPods. They're a bit bassier, but for the most part, audio quality is similar to the "good enough" you get from Apple's freebies. AirPods are fine when it comes to sound - they're pleasant to listen to no matter what genre you dig - but they might leave you a little disappointed if pure quality is what you're after.

AirPods work best with other Apple products, which is entirely unsurprising. For example, you can't use Siri if you've got your AirPods paired with an Android smartphone. You also miss out on Apple's faster pairing (you'll never need to dig into Bluetooth settings), some gesture controls, and device sync. After you've got your AirPods paired with an iPhone, you'll see them available as an audio option for your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. It's a welcome time-saver over manually pairing headphones whenever you change device, especially if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem.

If you're using AirPods with an Android phone, they're pretty much just plain old dumb Bluetooth headphones devoid of extra smarts. Despite this, they're still one of the very best wire-free headphone sets you can buy right now. No other pair of wire-free headphones I've tested has matched AirPods on seamlessness and connectivity. Sure, some sound better, some have a subtler design, some isolate more noise, but none of that matters when you can't get the basics right. There's nothing worse than one bud dropping out when you're trying to enjoy your tunes. AirPods are rock solid no matter what device you're using them with.

Who are AirPods (2019) for?

Apple's second-generation AirPods are a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable pair of wire-free headphones, no matter what smartphone they're using. They offer rock solid connectivity, strong battery life, and good sound quality. They're not worth upgrading for if you have an original pair of AirPods, but they're easily the gold standard for wire-free buds.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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