The new AirPods seem on the nose like the first - coevals model , but admit several cardinal enhancements . The biggest is the gain of a new H1 poker chip , which Apple state was “ developed specifically for headphone , deliver performance efficiencies , quicker connect times , more talking time and the convenience of hand - free ‘ Hey Siri . ’ ” That means you no longer call for to tapdance your auricle to get Siri ’s attending .
The H1 chip is another in a long line of descent of custom atomic number 14 from Apple , including the “ A ” serial in iPhones and iPads , the “ S ” inside the Apple Watch , the “ T ” security chip , and “ W ” wireless chip for leisurely Bluetooth pairing . accord to Apple , the H1 chip feature film improved synchronise and delivers up to 50 percent more talk time as compare to the first - generation Airpods . It also allows for improved switching between devices as well as the always - on “ Hey Siri ” support for unproblematic command , such as skipping track , making calls , raising the intensity , and getting directions .
Along with newfangled AirPods , Apple is in conclusion selling the wireless charging case that was announce in 2017 along with the still - missing - in - actionAirPower wireless charger . The newfangled case costs $ 79 on its own and works with the original AirPods , but new buyers can get it for $ 40 , bringing the full cost of the headphones to $ 199 . The stock version of AirPods without the wireless case remains available for $ 159 .
In addition to the second - propagation AirPods , Apple also announcednew Apple Watch bandsin the usual mixed bag of outpouring - revolutionise coloration , as well as a smattering ofmatching iPhone XS and XS Max cases .
Wednesday ’s AirPods annunciation continues an uncharacteristically rapid - fire spill schedule this week . Never has Apple unveiled so many ware in succession , and with the “ Show prison term ” event tower next workweek , the timing is especially curious . While none of these products necessarily fit with the theme of the event — which is expected to centre onApple ’s new video cyclosis service — it ’s not uncommon for Apple to quiet update its store during enceinte events with products that do n’t make the primary stage . Clearly that ’s not happening this time .
Why this matters : AirPods are rapidly becoming one of Apple ’s most popular products , and this update only widen the gap between it and its competitors . While the new generation does n’t include features like dissonance reduction and body of water resistance , Apple leaves the doorway exposed for another passing later in the year by conspicuouslynotusing the name AirPods 2 .
