When Apple first unveiled the original AirPods Pro on October 30, 2019, they didn't just introduce another pair of wireless earbuds; they redefined expectations for personal audio. Moving beyond the beloved but feature-limited standard AirPods, the 1st Gen Pro model brought a suite of advanced capabilities and a refined design that set a new benchmark for wireless listening. This wasn't just about sound; it was about control over your acoustic world.
Whether you're a long-time Apple enthusiast or someone new curious about the tech that started a revolution, understanding the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen features and specifications is key to appreciating its enduring legacy. This guide will walk you through everything that made these earbuds a standout product, from their core technological innovations to the finer details that shaped the user experience.
At a Glance: Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen Highlights
Before we dive deep, here’s a quick overview of what made the original AirPods Pro so impactful:
- Release Date: October 30, 2019.
- Discontinued: September 7, 2022.
- Core Processor: Apple H1 chip for lightning-fast performance and efficient power management.
- Key Audio Features: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode for adaptable listening.
- Design: In-ear fit with customizable silicone ear tips (three sizes included).
- Connectivity: Seamless wireless experience via Bluetooth, deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem.
- Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours listening (ANC off), 4 hours (ANC on) on a single charge; up to 24 hours total with the charging case.
- Sound Quality: Clear, crisp, and balanced audio with satisfying bass.
- Voice Assistant: "Hey Siri" support for hands-free control.
The H1 Chip: The Brain Behind the Brilliance
At the heart of the original AirPods Pro lies Apple's custom-designed H1 chip. This isn't just a basic Bluetooth controller; it's a sophisticated System-in-Package (SiP) that orchestrates nearly every advanced function these earbuds offer. When the 1st Gen AirPods Pro hit the market, the H1 chip was instrumental in delivering a level of performance that felt genuinely futuristic.
This powerful chip enables ultra-low audio latency, meaning there's virtually no delay between what you see on your screen and what you hear in your ears – a huge win for watching videos or playing games. It also drives the efficiency of the Bluetooth 5.0 connection, ensuring a stable and reliable link to your devices. More importantly, the H1 chip is the computational engine behind the headline features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, processing real-time audio data with incredible speed. It even manages "Hey Siri" commands, always listening for your voice without draining excessive power. This cohesive integration is a testament to Apple's vertical approach, where hardware and software are designed to work in perfect harmony.
Silence or Awareness? Mastering Your Soundscape with ANC and Transparency Mode
Perhaps the most revolutionary features of the AirPods Pro 1st Gen were its groundbreaking Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the innovative Transparency Mode. These weren't just add-ons; they were game-changers that truly allowed users to control their audio environment.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Your Personal Quiet Zone
Imagine stepping onto a bustling subway, entering a noisy office, or flying on an airplane, and instantly, the cacophony fades into a gentle hum. That's the magic of Active Noise Cancellation. The AirPods Pro 1st Gen employed an advanced ANC system that used two microphones per earbud: an outward-facing mic to detect external sounds and an inward-facing mic to monitor sound reaching your ear.
The H1 chip then creates an anti-noise signal that precisely cancels out the unwanted external sounds before they reach your eardrum. This process happens continuously, adapting to your ear's geometry and the fit of the silicone tips up to 200 times per second. This wasn't just passive isolation; it was active sound suppression, designed to deliver a remarkably immersive and distraction-free listening experience. For many, this feature alone justified the upgrade from standard AirPods, transforming commutes and focused work sessions into pockets of serenity.
Transparency Mode: Stay Connected to Your World
While ANC was about shutting the world out, Transparency Mode was about letting it in, intelligently. This innovative feature allowed you to hear your surroundings naturally, almost as if you weren't wearing earbuds at all, while still enjoying your audio content.
With a simple squeeze of the force sensor on the stem, the AirPods Pro would switch modes. In Transparency Mode, the external microphones would pick up ambient sounds and mix them seamlessly with your music or podcast. This was incredibly useful for situational awareness—whether you needed to hear a train announcement, chat with a colleague, or simply be aware of traffic while walking. Unlike simply pausing your audio, Transparency Mode allowed you to maintain your conversation or awareness without ever having to remove your earbuds, striking a perfect balance between immersion and connection to your environment.
Design That Fits (Literally): Comfort and Form Factor
The design of the AirPods Pro 1st Gen marked a significant departure from its predecessors, prioritizing an in-ear fit for enhanced audio performance and comfort. This physical redesign was crucial for delivering the advanced features.
In-Ear Fit with Customizable Silicone Tips
One of the most noticeable changes was the introduction of flexible silicone ear tips. Unlike the hard plastic of the standard AirPods, these tips created a seal in your ear canal, which is absolutely essential for effective noise cancellation and optimal sound delivery. The 1st Gen AirPods Pro came with three sizes of ear tips—small, medium, and large—allowing users to find the perfect, comfortable fit for their unique ear shape.
Apple even included an "Ear Tip Fit Test" feature in iOS settings, which used the internal microphones to analyze the sound level in your ear and recommend the best tip size for an optimal seal. This personalized approach to fit wasn't just about comfort; it was integral to the overall acoustic experience, ensuring both pristine audio and maximum ANC performance.
Sleek, Compact, and Pocketable
True to Apple's design philosophy, the AirPods Pro 1st Gen maintained a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The earbuds themselves were compact, with a shorter stem compared to the standard AirPods, and featured an inward-facing ear tip design that nestled comfortably in the ear.
The charging case was equally thoughtfully designed. It was slightly wider and shorter than the standard AirPods case, with a smooth, pebble-like finish that made it satisfying to hold and easy to slip into a pocket or small bag. The magnetic lid snapped shut with a reassuring click, keeping your earbuds secure. Despite housing powerful technology, the entire package remained impressively small and portable, making it an ideal companion for daily life.
- Earbud Dimensions: 30.9 x 21.8 x 24.0 mm
- Charging Case Dimensions: 60.6 mm (width) x 45.2 mm (height) x 21.7 mm (thickness)
- Weight (each earbud): 5.4 g
- Ear Tip Material: Silicone
Sound Quality: A Balanced Acoustic Experience
Beyond the fancy features, the fundamental purpose of any earbud is to deliver excellent sound, and the AirPods Pro 1st Gen certainly didn't disappoint. Apple engineered these earbuds to provide a high-fidelity audio experience, suitable for a wide range of content.
Users consistently praised the audio quality as clear, crisp, and well-balanced. The sound profile offered good separation between instruments and vocals, allowing for a rich listening experience. Bass response was present and satisfying without being overpowering or muddy, providing a pleasing thump for music genres that rely on strong low frequencies. Mid-range frequencies, crucial for vocals and many instruments, were rendered accurately, while treble was bright and detailed without being harsh.
This balanced approach meant the AirPods Pro 1st Gen were versatile performers, equally adept at bringing out the nuances in a classical composition, delivering the punch of a pop track, or ensuring clear dialogue during a podcast or video call. Combined with the sound isolation provided by the in-ear seal and ANC, the audio experience was significantly more immersive than previous generations.
Battery Life: Power Through Your Day
Battery performance is always a critical consideration for wireless earbuds, and the AirPods Pro 1st Gen struck a commendable balance between compactness and endurance.
On a single charge, you could expect:
- Up to 4.5 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or Transparency Mode off.
- Up to 4 hours of listening time with ANC or Transparency Mode on.
- Up to 3.5 hours of talk time.
While individual earbuds offered solid performance for most daily commutes or workout sessions, the real magic came with the compact charging case. This case wasn't just for storage; it held multiple additional charges, extending your total listening and talk time significantly: - Total listening time with charging case: Up to 24 hours.
- Total talk time with charging case: Up to 18 hours.
What made this even more practical was the fast-charging capability. Just 5 minutes of charging in the case could provide roughly 1 hour of listening time or talk time, perfect for those moments when you're rushing out the door and realize your earbuds are low on power. The charging case supported both Lightning cable charging and Qi-certified wireless charging, offering flexibility in how you powered up. This robust battery system ensured that your AirPods Pro 1st Gen were ready to go whenever you were, minimizing interruptions to your day.
Connectivity & Compatibility: Seamless Integration
One of Apple's hallmarks is creating products that just "work," and the AirPods Pro 1st Gen upheld this standard with its seamless connectivity and broad compatibility.
Effortless Pairing with Apple Devices
For users within the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro offered an unparalleled pairing experience. Thanks to the H1 chip, simply opening the charging case near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac would prompt an instant connection request. A single tap was all it took, and the AirPods Pro would then be automatically paired across all your iCloud-connected devices. This meant you could switch from listening to music on your iPhone to watching a video on your iPad or taking a call on your Mac without manually re-pairing. The transition was quick and fluid, minimizing friction in your day.
The deep integration also extended to features like battery status visible on your devices, the Ear Tip Fit Test, and easy access to ANC/Transparency Mode controls right from the Control Center on iOS. Siri integration was also seamless, allowing for hands-free control by simply saying "Hey Siri" to change songs, make calls, or get directions.
Broad Compatibility Beyond Apple
While optimized for Apple devices, the AirPods Pro 1st Gen were still standard Bluetooth 5.0 headphones, meaning they could connect to virtually any Bluetooth-enabled device. Whether you had an Android phone, a Windows laptop, or even some smart TVs, you could pair your AirPods Pro and enjoy high-quality audio.
The pairing process for non-Apple devices was straightforward: simply press and hold the button on the back of the charging case until the status light flashed white, then select "AirPods Pro" from your device's Bluetooth settings. While you might miss out on some of the deeper integration perks (like automatic device switching or the Ear Tip Fit Test), the core audio features, including ANC and Transparency Mode, would still function perfectly, making them a versatile choice for anyone seeking premium wireless audio.
Why the 1st Gen Still Matters Today
Even after its discontinuation in September 2022 and the release of its successor, the AirPods Pro 1st Gen holds a significant place in the personal audio landscape. It wasn't just an iteration; it was a revolution. This model proved that truly effective active noise cancellation could be packed into a truly wireless earbud form factor, setting a new bar for the industry.
It refined the Apple earbud experience, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to offer a more personalized and immersive sound. For many, these earbuds were their first foray into premium noise-cancelling audio, demonstrating that portability didn't have to come at the expense of advanced features or sound quality. The H1 chip's capabilities, the seamless Apple ecosystem integration, and the intuitive control methods made it a beloved daily companion for millions. Its features and specifications remain a testament to Apple's engineering prowess, influencing countless wireless earbuds that followed.
Making the Most of Your AirPods Pro 1st Gen
If you still own or are considering purchasing a 1st Gen AirPods Pro, here are a few tips to ensure you get the best experience:
- Clean Your Ear Tips Regularly: Silicone ear tips can accumulate earwax and debris, which can affect sound quality and the fit. Gently wipe them clean with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. You can also carefully remove the tips and rinse them with water if needed, ensuring they are completely dry before reattaching.
- Perform the Ear Tip Fit Test: If you've never done it, or if your listening experience feels off, navigate to Bluetooth settings on your iPhone/iPad, tap the "i" next to your AirPods Pro, and run the Ear Tip Fit Test. This ensures you're using the best tip size for optimal seal, crucial for ANC and sound quality.
- Keep Your Firmware Updated: Apple occasionally releases firmware updates for AirPods Pro that can improve performance, fix bugs, or even add minor features. Keep your connected Apple device (iPhone, iPad) updated to the latest iOS/iPadOS to ensure your AirPods Pro receive these updates automatically.
- Master the Force Sensor: Familiarize yourself with the squeeze controls on the stem. A single squeeze plays/pauses, a double squeeze skips forward, a triple squeeze skips back, and a long squeeze switches between ANC and Transparency Mode. Customizing these settings in your iPhone's Bluetooth menu can tailor them to your preferences.
- Utilize "Hey Siri": For truly hands-free control, leverage "Hey Siri" for tasks like changing volume, skipping tracks, making calls, or even getting directions without touching your phone.
Key Takeaways and What to Expect
The Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen delivered a compelling blend of sophisticated features and thoughtful design that elevated the wireless earbud experience. From the powerful H1 chip enabling advanced Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode to the customizable in-ear fit and robust battery life, every aspect was meticulously crafted.
While newer generations offer further refinements, the original AirPods Pro laid the foundational blueprint for what premium wireless earbuds could be. They offered a clear, balanced audio profile, seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem, and impressive versatility for non-Apple users. Understanding these Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen features and specifications highlights not just a product, but a pivotal moment in the evolution of personal audio technology—one that still provides an excellent listening experience for users today. They cemented Apple's position as a leader in the audio space and set a standard that continues to influence the market.