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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.
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