Earbuds / Compare
Apple AirPods 1 vs Apple AirPods 2
Product A: Apple
61 of 166 known
Change Apple AirPods 1
Product B: Apple
76 of 166 known
Change Apple AirPods 2
Compare the Apple AirPods 1 with
37 of 157 fields differ
- 13 different values
- 24 known for one only
- 37 the same
- 83 missing for both
Size, drawn to scale
Front and side.
- AAirPods 1: 16.5 × 40.5 mm
- BAirPods 2: 16.5 × 40.5 mm
Weight
0 to 80 g
Weight per bud
A4g
B4g
Case weight
A38g
B40g
All 166 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
2 of 8 differ
Series
Model numbers
A1523, A1722, A16022Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/109525Read 5 October 2026A1523 and A1722 are the 2016 first-generation earbuds. A1602 is the original Lightning case with its status light inside. The separately sold 2019 Qi-compatible A1938 case is excluded.18Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/information/ma1770_airpods-info.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original leaflet Mexico model list gives A1523, A1722 and A1602, matching original Quick Start Guide and current maker identification page.
A2031, A2032, A1938, MRXJ2AM/A2Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/109525Read 5 October 2026Identify your AirPods: A2031/A2032 are second-generation earbuds introduced in 2019. A1938 is the 2019 Qi-compatible Wireless Charging Case. A1602 and later case generations are not represented.20Retailer pagenissei.com/br/fone-de-ouvido-apple-airpods-com-estojo-de-recarga-sem-fio-mrxj2am-aRead 7 October 2026Retailer title and Part Number row: MRXJ2AM/A wireless-case package. Physical earbud A2031/A2032 and A1938 case identifiers retained.
Announced
Status
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Apple AirPods 222Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-betterRead 10 October 2026March 20, 2019 release names the new model the second generation of AirPods. The catalog slug apple-airpods-2 is that model. Original AirPods were discontinued when it launched.
Apple AirPods 331Reviewrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-3rd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 23 October 2026RTINGS says the AirPods 3 follow the AirPods 2nd generation.32Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/introducing-the-next-generation-of-airpodsRead 23 October 2026Apple's October 2021 release announces the third generation of AirPods and cuts the price of AirPods 2nd generation.
Launch price (US)
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Not available
Markets
Colours
Design
0 of 4 differ
Form factor
Bud shape
Use one bud alone
RGB lighting
Not available
Not available
Drivers and sound
3 of 17 differ
Drivers per bud
Not available
Not available
Driver size
Not available
Not available
Drivers per bud
Not available
Not available
Diaphragm material
Not available
Not available
Frequency response
Not available
Not available
Sensitivity
Not available
Not available
Sensitivity reference
Not available
Not available
Max sample rate
Not available
Not available
Max bit depth
Not available
Not available
Adaptive EQ
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Not available
Onboard EQ
Not available
Not available
Custom EQ bands
Not available
Not available
EQ presets
Not available
Not available
Volume limit
Not available
Not available
Spatial audio
0 of 2 differ
Spatial audio
Not available
Not available
Head tracking
Noise cancelling
3 of 11 differ
Active noise cancelling
ANC type
Not available
Not available
ANC microphones in both earbuds
Not available
Not available
Adaptive ANC
Not available
Not available
ANC levels
Not available
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Transparency mode
Not available
Adjustable transparency
Not available
Not available
Automatic ANC and transparency blend
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Wind noise reduction
Not available
Not available
Measured
7 of 23 differ
Frequency response notes (measured)
Not available
Measured response has reduced sub-bass and emphasized midrange. The unsealed fit limits low-frequency reproduction.14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Exact model lab curve and discussion. Fixture, target revision, firmware and frequency-test codec unstated. No graph points or rating converted into numerical dB.
Bass amount (measured)
Not available
Not available
Treble amount (measured)
Not available
Not available
Deviation from target (measured)
Not available
Not available
Consistency between fittings (measured)
Not available
Not available
Harmonic distortion (measured)
Not available
Not available
Sound leakage (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise isolation, best (measured)
Not available
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Call quality notes (measured)
Not available
Recorded speech samples cover quiet, street and windy conditions. The review finds voice pickup usable for conference calls.14Reviewsoundguys.com/apple-airpods-review-11072Read 5 October 2026Published ideal/street/windy demos. Recording firmware and codec unstated.
Mic low-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency (measured)
AApple AirPods 1
Not availableBApple AirPods 2
| Connection | Platform | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | iOS | 178 |
Bluetooth latency, worst (measured)
Not available
178ms
2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured)
Not available
Not available
Latency in game mode (measured)
Not available
Not available
Battery life (measured)
BApple AirPods 2
| ANC | Codec | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| No | AAC | 4.12 |
Longest tested use per charge
3.5h
4.12h
Battery life with case (measured)
Not available
Not available
Full charge time (measured)
Not available
30min23Measurementrtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-2nd-generation-truly-wirelessRead 7 October 2026Public Commute/Travel verdict says earbuds take 30 minutes to fully charge. RTINGS tested Qi-case variant, Methodology 1.5, review updated 2021. Charge method defines 0 to 100 using LED time-lapse with no playback load. Firmware, case initial charge, adapter and ambient temperature unstated. This is earbuds charge, not empty-case charge.24Measurementrtings.com/headphones/tests/active-features/battery-lifeRead 7 October 2026Charge Time method: empty to full, time-lapse LED monitoring, no load while charging. Method documented separately from the model's publicly stated 30 minute result. Full lab result blocks were not accessed.
Weight per bud (measured)
Not available
Not available
Microphones and calls
2 of 7 differ
Voice microphones in both earbuds
Not available
All microphones in both earbuds
Not available
Bone conduction voice sensor
Not available
Not available
Mic noise reduction
Not available
Not available
Call audio bandwidth
Not available
Not available
Mic mute control
Not available
Not available
Sidetone
Not available
Not available
Connectivity
6 of 18 differ
Chip
Connections
Bluetooth
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth profiles
Not available
LE Audio
Not available
Not available
Auracast
Not available
Not available
Multipoint
Multipoint devices
Not available
Not available
Multipoint with LDAC
Not available
Not available
Paired devices remembered
Not available
Not available
Automatic switching between own devices
Fast pairing
Audio sharing
Wireless range (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Wireless receiver
Not available
Receiver connector
Not available
Not available
Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
Latency
None of 3 known
Low latency mode
Not available
Not available
Claimed latency
Not available
Not available
Lowest claimed latency
Not available
Not available
Compatibility
1 of 4 differ
Platforms
iOS, macOS, Android8Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108786Read 5 October 2026
iOS, macOS, Android8Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/108786Read 5 October 2026
Connection per platform
AApple AirPods 1
| Platform | Connection | Microphone works |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Bluetooth | Not available |
| macOS | Bluetooth | Not available |
| Android | Bluetooth | Yes |
BApple AirPods 2
| Platform | Connection | Microphone works |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Bluetooth | Not available |
| macOS | Bluetooth | Not available |
| Android | Bluetooth | Yes |
Features that need a specific device
AApple AirPods 1
| Feature | Needs |
|---|---|
| Apple account setup | Same Apple Account and compatible iOS, watchOS or macOS host. One-tap setup does not provide AirPods 2 automatic audio routing. |
| Audio Sharing | Compatible iPhone or iPad and a second supported Apple or Beats pair. Current software feature, separate from the 2016 launch guide. |
| Double-tap remapping | Compatible Apple host settings. Independent left/right next-track and previous-track options were added with iOS 11. |
BApple AirPods 2
| Feature | Needs |
|---|---|
| Headphone Accommodations and Custom Audio Setup | Supported iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 14 or later. Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. |
Official licence
Not available
Not available
Battery and charging
3 of 13 differ
Battery per bud
Not available
Not available
User-replaceable earbud battery
Not available
Claimed battery life
AApple AirPods 1
| Mode | Includes case recharges | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| ANC off | No | 5 |
| ANC off | Yes | 24 |
BApple AirPods 2
| Mode | Includes case recharges | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| ANC off | No | 5 |
| ANC off | Yes | 24 |
| Call | No | 3 |
Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Up to 5 h earbuds-only. More than 24 h including case, stored as a lower bound of 24. Maker February 2019 preproduction test paired iPhone Xs Max, 50% volume, 358 iTunes tracks encoded at 256 kbps AAC. File encoding does not establish transmitted Bluetooth codec, so codec omitted. Playback ends when the first earbud stops. Case-inclusive test repeats recharge and playback to empty.28Maker product pageapple.com/eg/airpods-2nd-generation/specsRead 7 October 2026AirPods battery row explicitly up to 3 hours talk time from one earbud charge. Only earbuds-only call row used. This is same A2031/A2032 hardware as the wireless-case package. Page case-inclusive 18 h is labeled Lightning case and is not borrowed for A1938. Test call conditions not exposed in this readable page. No codec, volume, host or firmware inferred.
Longest claimed use per charge
5h
5h
Playback per charge with ANC (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Playback per charge without ANC (claimed)
5h
5h
Total with case (claimed)
24h
24h
Total with case and ANC (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Talk time (claimed)
Not available
3h
Full charge time, buds
Not available
Not available
Charging guidance
Not available
Not available
Quick charge time
Earbud playback after quick charge
Charging case
3 of 10 differ
Case battery
User-replaceable case battery
Not available
Case charging port
Case full charge time
Not available
Not available
Wireless charging
No2Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/109525Read 5 October 2026Reference A1602 case is wired only. Maker identifies the later A1938 as the Wireless Charging Case. Exact original review separately describes the wireless case as a later accessory.15Reviewheadphonecheck.com/test/apple-airpods-1Read 5 October 2026Original case charges through Lightning. September 2017 update describes the Qi case as an announced future accessory. That later case is excluded from this reference.
Wireless standards
Not available
Wireless charging power
Not available
Not available
Speaker in case
Not available
Not available
Screen on case
Not available
Not available
Case works as audio transmitter
Not available
Not available
Controls
0 of 5 differ
Controls
Earbud volume control
Voice1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111855Read 5 October 20263Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpodsRead 5 October 2026Siri adjusts volume after a double tap. Hands-free Hey Siri, physical volume buttons and stem swipes are not supported by this original hardware.
Gestures
Remappable controls
Yes7Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-euro/guide/airpods/dev57e5b7e58/webRead 5 October 2026Current guide explicitly includes AirPods 1 double-tap remapping. Settings require a compatible Apple host. No later stem press, mute or camera gesture inherited.15Reviewheadphonecheck.com/test/apple-airpods-1Read 5 October 2026September 22, 2017 update reports independent left/right Siri, play/pause, next, previous and disabled actions added with iOS 11. Original launch controls were more limited.
Sensors and health
2 of 9 differ
In-ear detection
Sensors
Dual optical sensors, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111855Read 5 October 2026
Dual optical sensors, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Published sensor types. Dual beamforming microphones lack an explicit per-earbud count scope, so no physical microphone count is inferred. A speech-detecting accelerometer is not proof of a bone-conduction sensor.
Heart rate sensor
Not available
Not available
Skin temperature sensing
Not available
Not available
Medical clearances
Not available
Not available
Hearing test
Not available
Not available
Hearing protection
Not available
Health features
Not available
Not available
Fit and durability
None of 7 known
Ear tips included
Not available
Not available
Ear tip materials
Not available
Not available
Stabilisers
Not available
Not available
Ear tip fit test
Not available
Not available
Dust and water rating, buds
Not available
Not available
Dust and water rating, case
Not available
Not available
Water resistance depth
Not available
Not available
Software
0 of 6 differ
Companion app
Not available
Not available
App platforms
Not available
Not available
User firmware updates
Finding network
Precision finding
Live translation
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
2 of 4 differ
Weight per bud
Bud dimensions
Width16.5Height40.5Depth18mm(0.6 × 1.6 × 0.7 in)21Spec databaseproductindetail.com/ps/apple-airpods-1st-generationRead 7 October 2026Design and dimensions table, exact first-generation earbuds: Height 4.05 cm, Width 1.65 cm, Depth 1.8 cm. Exact cm-to-mm conversion. Values match unlabelled maker 16.5 by 18.0 by 40.5 mm tuple. Named axes come from spec database, not visual guessing. Case tuple lacks axis labels and remains omitted.
Width16.5Height40.5Depth18mm(0.6 × 1.6 × 0.7 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Size and Weight explicitly labels width, height and depth for each earbud. These are not dimensions of the pair.
Case weight
Case dimensions
Not available
Width44.3Height53.5Depth21.3mm(1.7 × 2.1 × 0.8 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Exact published case axis labels. The same body dimensions are listed for both case versions.
Certifications
1 of 3 differ
Hi-Res Audio
Not available
Not available
Communication certifications
Not available
Not available
FCC IDs
Not available
Other certifications
Class 1 Laser, IEC 60825-1:2007 and IEC 60825-1:201418Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/information/ma1770_airpods-info.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original 2016 AM034-01450-A safety leaflet. English safety pages 1 and 2 and regulatory pages 9 to 12 read. Page 10 Class 1 Laser section explicitly gives IEC 60825-1:2007 and 2014. This does not establish clinical hearing-device clearance.
Not available
In the box
2 of 2 differ
In the box
AirPods 1, Charging Case, Lightning to USB cable, Documentation1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111855Read 5 October 2026Original wired case package only. Maker list names a Lightning to USB cable but gives no cable length. No power adapter appears in the complete list.
AirPods 2, Wireless Charging Case, Lightning to USB-A cable, Documentation1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Wireless A1938 package only. Cable length unstated. No adapter supplied in the published complete list.
Cables included
AApple AirPods 1
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Lightning to USB cable | 1 |
BApple AirPods 2
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Lightning to USB-A cable | 1 |
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
support.apple.com/en-us/1118551Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111855Read 5 October 2026Exact 2016 W1 generation with original wired A1602 case. Later A1938 wireless case purchases are excluded. No standalone maker PDF spec sheet found. Bud and case dimension tuples lack width, height and depth labels, so those fields are omitted.
support.apple.com/en-us/1118561Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111856Read 5 October 2026Exact 2019 AirPods 2. Reference package uses Wireless Charging Case A1938. The standard wired-only A1602 package is excluded from this file. Current shared case weight 38.2 g conflicts with the contemporary A1938 teardown specification of 40 g. Case weight now uses 40 g from the exact standalone Wireless Charging Case maker sheet 111860, which is more specific than this mixed-case row. Contradiction remains source-qualified. No standalone maker PDF datasheet found.
Manual
cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1769_airpods-quickstart.pdf6Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1769_airpods-quickstart.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original 2016 10-page multilingual Quick Start Guide. English instructions and model list read. Page 8 double-tap panel visually inspected. The original 12-page safety leaflet was read separately.
cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdf5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1852_airpods-2gen-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original 2019 two-page Quick Start Guide for the Wireless Charging Case package, linked by Apple document identity 300122. Both sides read. Current complete user-guide chapters separately establish remapping and wear detection.
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
0 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Both are also in the API. Back to all earbuds.















