When gamers think audio equipment, they often envision heavy gaming headsets, complete with RGB lighting and boom mics, but Apple is quietly reshaping mobile and casual gaming, and the AirPods Pro 2 are the perfect piece of equipment to do just that.
Real Latency That Matters
The AirPods Pro 2 features Apple’s H2 chip, which significantly decreases audio latency when connected to iOS devices. This is especially nice for mobile gamers playing Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, or Genshin Impact, as their audio cues easily sync to the action on-screen.
Spatial Audio: Immersion Without the Weight
Apple’s Adaptive Audio and Personalized Spatial Audio take the gaming experience to another level by providing you with immersive 3D experience. If you are playing a game that provides spatial audio, you can identify the location of an enemy with eerie accuracy, and while the technology is weighty, the earbuds themselves weigh a few grams.
| Spatial Audio Feature | Gaming Benefit |
|---|---|
| Head Tracking | Keeps audio anchored to your device for realistic directional sound |
| Personalized Profile | Optimizes sound based on your ear shape for better positioning |
| Dynamic EQ | Automatically adjusts frequencies for clearer dialogue and effects |
| 3D Soundstage | Creates immersive surround sound experience from tiny earbuds |
Portable is Essential
You cannot forget the portable factor, making these earbuds the perfect audio device for portable gaming on a Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. You can game through a long flight of commute without packing bulky headsets and a power bank, which like the AirPods, have a 6+ battery life with active noise cancelling on.
Active Noise Cancellation for Focused Gaming
The new design of the ANC allows you to block up to twice the amount of background noise as the previous model to keep you engaged in your gaming world when you’re in a café or on public transportation. This feature highlights the importance of the ear buds for gamers that need to listen for subtle audio cues, such as footsteps from an enemy or distant gunfire.
The Transparency mode can be used as well so you can quickly transition and hear your surroundings without having to remove the ear buds – ideal for when someone is trying to grab your attention between matches, or if you want to remain aware of the announcements while gaming in a public place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do AirPods Pro 2 work on gaming consoles?
A: Work with Bluetooth on Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Will not connect directly for PlayStation or Xbox consoles since they don’t support using Bluetooth audio.
Q: Is there noticeable audio lag during games?
A: When connected to Apple devices, your audio lag is perceptually low because of the H2 chip. If you pair your AirPods with Android or other Bluetooth devices, you might experience slight lag, but it is potentially noticeable when gaming competitively.
Q: Can I use them for voice chat while gaming?
A: Sure, the built-in microphones perform well for voice chat, though the audio quality may be a little lower when talking because of the limited Bluetooth bandwidth.
Q: In what ways are they different from dedicated gaming headsets?
A: They excel in terms of portability and versatility, whereas they do not have dedicated boom mics, battery life, or wired zero-latency.
Q: Are they good for competitive gaming?
A: Yes…for mobile competitive gaming on iOS. If you are serious about competitive gaming on PC or console, you will still want a wired gaming headset.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information on the use of AirPods Pro 2 for gaming. Gaming performance will vary based on device compatibility and optimization for a specific game as well as the personal experience of the user. AirPods Pro 2 has generally great features for casual and mobile gaming, but they will not replace dedicated gaming headsets for competitive or professional gaming. You should always consider your own gaming uses and platform before making a purchase decision. Features and specifications of products are all based on manufacturers’ information and specifications and may change over time.
