Twofer: The Hidden Feature Of AirPods Pro That Made It Worth The Upgrade From AirPods 2

Airpods 2 couldn’t securely stay in my ear so there was a reason to upgrade so i upgraded to AirPods Pro.

In a word, “Transparency.” That’s the mode on the AirPods Pro that allows sound in from the outside world using the Pro’s microphone array.

I have been using Transparency mode by default when, for example, I use the AirPods with my LG 4K TV so I can still hear sounds around the house. So, I knew what Transparency mode could do.

But there’s more to Transparency Mode beyond Apple’s description.

Let me explain. The other night I was at a Starbucks and was listening, on and off, to a conversation at the next table where a twenties-something programmer was making his elevator pitch to a potential investor.

With the intention of focusing more on my work, I put on my AirPods Pro (with Transparency already on) to listen to music. To my surprise — before I had a chance to switch to the music and turn Transparency Mode off — I found that I was hearing the conversation at the next table a lot more clearly.

Without the AirPods I could only hear snippets of the conversation. With the AirPods in Transparency Mode it was like eavesdropping on the conversation: the voices were amplified and clear.

I’m not saying that the AirPods Pro are hearing aids per se but if you throw in the “Live Listen” feature* (which was available before the AirPods Pro), they can function as basic hearing aids.

That’s a major twofer and, for me, maybe the best reason to upgrade to the AirPods Pro.

*Live Listen uses the microphone on your iPhone. So, for example, if you turn on Live Listen and place the iPhone close to the sound you want to hear, it will amplify the sound and transmit it to the Airpods.