AirPods vs AirPods 2, The Best Pick Among First Ever AirPods

With the release of AirPods, Apple brought waves of innovation to the TWS earbuds industry. Sleek design, solid performance, and a lasting battery; everything made sense. Also, only a few TWS earbuds existed at those times, so Apple definitely left a significant mark with the release of their first-ever TWS earbuds. Fast forward to the release of the AirPods (2nd Gen), and Apple introduced a few key improvements without changing the fundamental design. So, is it worth upgrading?

With this user-centric review, we are not head-to-head comparing AirPods (1st Gen) with AirPods (2nd Gen). It is unfair to compare both models as one is the upgrade of the other; rather, picking the right one for you is the whole purpose of this review guide. Despite the upgrade, the 1st Gen AirPods is still not a bad option, and you can bag this vintage at huge discounts. Let’s talk about each factor in detail to get a clearer picture.

Also Read: How to Share Audio with AirPods: Listen Together, Come Closer

Detailed Review: AirPods vs AirPods 2

For rush-goers, don’t worry; we have a quick 1-minute review for you before we discuss each factor in detail. However, it is advisable to read the entire review to get much better clarity.

1. Design and Build Quality

The AirPods 1st Gen and 2 Gen look nearly identical, and there isn’t much difference between the charging cases either. The design is minimalistic, lightweight, and compact enough to easily carry in your pockets or backpacks. The finish is all plastic and smooth, and they feel sturdy yet light when you have them plugged in; however, be cautious with the case as they might feel a little slippery. It is advisable to have a protective case on it, as scratches are easily visible on the AirPods charging case.

There aren’t any silicone tips on the AirPods, so despite being a great universal fit, they might be a little problematic for users with smaller or larger ears, which is a common criticism.

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2. Comfort and Fit

Before the first-ever AirPods, Apple used to offer wired earphones (of course, free with the iPhone) that were weirdly practical. Unlike most earphones or earbuds, Apple understood the “user pain” of those silicone tips pressing inside the ear and making users uncomfortable after some time. Also, all that wax inside the silicone tips was a lot gross, so Apple stuck through earphones that sat on the outside of the ear canal.

Now, these are comfortable to wear and light in nature, but they can’t be worn for a long time as they are a lot sturdy and not soft like the silicone tips. AirPods followed the same fashion, maintained the identity of their earphones, and smoothly transisted users from Apple earphones to AirPods.

Now, despite having those W1 and H1 chips inside the AirPods, they surprisingly maintained a light nature and were comfortable to use. At times, you wouldn’t feel you have them in your ears unless you could feel the stem. Both the AirPods and AirPods 2 are comfortable and offer a universal fit for users. However, both models are not comfortable for smaller and larger ears as they lack silicone tip adjustments.

There is also another disadvantage with both AirPods and AirPods 2: they are not stiff enough against intense movements like jogging or workouts. It is because of the open-fit design that it is more prone to falling.

Also Read: How to Pair Apple AirPods with Android and Windows PC

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3. Sound Quality

The 1st Gen AirPods delivers a balanced sound experience that works great for everyday use. Whether you are listening to podcasts or music or watching reels and videos, the sound is crisp and clear. However, it isn’t going to blow you away with deep bass or high fidelity. The AirPods are just fine for casual uses, but audiophiles may find them a bit lacking in richness.

The AirPods (2nd Gen) didn’t introduce massive changes in sound quality. The overall audio profile remains similar: clear mids, crisp highs, and a relatively flat bass. However, one small improvement is in call quality. Thanks to the H1 chip (which replaced the W1 chip in the 1st Gen), the 2nd Gen improves voice clarity during calls, especially in noisy environments.

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4. Battery Life

Battery life is often one of the biggest pain points for wireless earbud users. No one likes to be in the middle of their favorite playlist or podcast and hear that dreaded low-battery alert.

AirPods (1st Gen) offers around 5 hours of listening time and 2 hours of talk time on a single charge, with the charging case providing up to 24 hours of total listening. For most casual users, this is more than enough for a day of commuting or working out.

AirPods (2nd Gen) improves slightly on this, especially when it comes to talk time. With the new H1 chip, the 2nd Gen gives you up to 3 hours of talk time, and the overall battery efficiency is better. You also get faster charging, where just 15 minutes of charging gives you up to 3 hours of listening.

Also Read: How to Identify What AirPods Model You Have | Handy Guide

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5. Connectivity

One of the standout features of AirPods (2nd Gen) is the improved H1 chip, which replaces the W1 chip in the 1st Gen. This doesn’t just sound like a technical upgrade; it makes a big difference in the day-to-day user experience. The H1 chip delivers faster, more stable Bluetooth connections, meaning fewer dropped connections or pairing delays.

• AirPods (1st Gen): The W1 chip ensures smooth pairing with Apple devices, but switching between devices like an iPhone and a MacBook can sometimes feel slow.
• AirPods (2nd Gen): The H1 chip is faster, making switching between Apple devices much quicker and smoother. You’ll also notice less latency when watching videos, making them ideal for streaming shows or movies.

Also Read: AirPods Pro 2 vs Echo Buds 2: This Review is All You Need

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6. Siri Integration

A major difference between these two models is Siri integration.

• AirPods (1st Gen): You can activate Siri by double-tapping on one of the earbuds, but there’s no hands-free option.
• AirPods (2nd Gen): With the H1 chip, the 2nd Gen introduces hands-free “Hey Siri” activation. This means you can just say “Hey, Siri” to control music, ask for directions, or send a message without tapping the earbuds.

Users with 1st Gen AirPods often find it unmanageable to tap the stem each time they wish to access Siri. With AirPods 2, it is a significant change that you can use the “Hey, Siri” voice command to easily access Siri-based operations, like text messaging, directions, reminders, and so much more, which is a big convenience for users who frequently use Siri on the go.

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7. Pricing

The 1st Gen AirPods are often available at a lower price and at huge discounted rates, especially since they are no longer the latest model. It also means that it is hard to find a genuine deal on these as they are now rare and not manufactured. It is a solid choice from the price point of view, and that doesn’t mean the quality is any less; it is decent and still offers great connectivity.

The AirPods (2nd Gen), while more expensive, offer small but meaningful improvements like better battery life, hands-free Siri, and faster connectivity. For many users, these features justify the higher price tag, especially if they’re upgrading from wired earbuds or other Bluetooth options. Besides, the AirPods (2nd Gen) are also no longer the latest model, which makes them available at huge discounts but with an additional value of better battery life in comparison with the 1st Gen AirPods. 

Of course, AirPods 2nd Gen will be a little pricier than the 1st Gen AirPods, even with the huge discounts.

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Frequently Asked Questions: AirPods vs AirPods 2

Verdict: AirPods vs AirPods 2nd Gen, Who Should Buy Which?

The 1st Gen AirPods are best suited for users who are looking for a reliable, budget-friendly pair of wireless earbuds and are non-audiophiles. You can pick them without second thoughts if your requirement is an earbud that is from Apple and does a decent job at music with no fancy features. 

However, if you are an audiophile, the 2nd Gen AirPods are ideal as they prioritize battery life, faster charging, and hands-free Siri. Now, they are not high-end picks for audiophiles, but they do a good job. If you need more from your AirPods, you can look into the Pro models or newer variants.

What are your thoughts on these first-ever AirPods? Do let us know in the comment section below. Feel free to explore our AirPods guides to explore more useful and handy tips on the Apple AirPods. If you like this article, quickly share it on your social media handles and tag us. Also, join our Telegram channel, Facebook page, and Twitter to never miss a quick update.