The AirPods Pro 2 are better than ever, and they're still $80 off for October Prime Day

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If you've Googled "What are the best earbuds?" you may have stumbled across the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds. Most people will rave about both, making the choice between the two uniquely challenging.

You can buy the AirPods Pro 2 with the brand-new USB-C port for $168 on Amazon. These earbuds are the best for Apple users, so you don't want to miss this deal.

Also: Amazon Prime Day: Best 160+ deal live for October's Big Deal Days sale

Apple announced major hardware and software changes for the AirPods Pro 2, which closed the gap Sony created with its audio products. Apple debuted the upgraded AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C charging port, leaving the Lightning charger behind. Sony first released the XM5 earbuds with a USB-C charging port, and both pairs of earbuds are compatible with Qi-certified wireless chargers.

The new-and-improved AirPods Pro 2 also boasts improved dust resistance. They now have an IP54 rating, which protects them from dust. Previously, the AirPods Pro 2 had an IPX4 rating, and the "X" meant that Apple did not formally test them for dust ingress. 

On the other hand, the Sony XM5 buds have an IPX4 rating, but that doesn't mean dust will be a huge problem. Be sure to keep your buds' charging port clean, and everything should be peachy keen.

With the release of iOS 17, Apple's latest installment of the iPhone operating system, the AirPods Pro 2 received major software updates, making their capabilities similar to Sony's model.

Also: The 20+ best Apple deals for October Prime Day

Here's why these new iOS 17 features are a big deal. Before iOS 17, Sony's WF-1000XM5 offered more premium software features than the AirPods Pro 2, including Speak to Chat and Adaptive Sound Control. 

Sony's Speak to Chat feature pauses the wearer's music when the earbuds detect the wearer is conversing with someone. The earbuds automatically switch to Ambient Sound mode, allowing the wearer to converse without needing to remove their earbuds.

Also: The 30+ best headphone deals for October Prime Day 2024

Adaptive Sound Control learns the wearer's frequent locations and automatically adjusts headphone settings like volume and noise cancellation based on surrounding noise levels. If the wearer tends to have noise cancelation on while walking to the bus stop, the WF-1000XM5 will adjust accordingly.

The AirPods Pro 2 didn't have either one of these useful features until iOS 17. Apple's Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio features operate similarly to Sony's Speak to Chat and Adaptive Sound Control features.

These two software upgrades helped bridge the gap between Apple and Sony; however, the AirPods Pro 2 will soon overcome the WF-1000XM5. Last month, Apple revealed that its earbuds will receive a free audio update introducing a hearing aid mode later this fall. It allows the pair to double as an over-the-counter hearing aid, potentially helping nearly 30 million Americans currently dealing with hearing loss.

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The AirPods Pro 2 normally retail for $249, while Sony's earbuds are $299. Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds are rounded, omitting stems that dangle from the ear. Apple's offering sports the traditional bud-attached-to-stem design.

Also: The best earbuds right now: Expert tested and reviewed

Like all Apple devices, the AirPods Pro 2 works best with other Apple devices. If you don't have Apple devices, you'll miss out on key features such as Personalized Spatial Audio and the ability to hop between audio sources on the fly. 

With the software update, the AirPods Pro 2 will be more compatible with the Vision Pro, Apple's mixed-reality headset. Users can enjoy 20-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio only when connected to the Vision Pro since both devices share Apple's upgraded H2 audio chip.

However, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds have a multipoint connection, enabling you to connect your earbuds to two devices and seamlessly switch audio from one connected device to the other. Also, the Sony Connect companion app offers comprehensive EQ settings regardless of your device's operating system.