Overview
- WIRED’s review finds Apple’s over-ears lean on the H2 chip for features like Live Translation, head gestures, and stronger noise canceling at a $549 price.
- The physical build matches the 2020 design, with the same aluminum ear cups, mesh headband, and the soft magnetic Smart Case.
- There is still no power button, so the headphones depend on the case and auto‑sleep, which WIRED observed can drain the battery during a long travel day.
- They remain heavier than most rivals, and while the mesh canopy helps with comfort, the weight can still wear on longer listening sessions.
- Other reviews and an iFixit teardown report few internal changes and little audible gain from wired USB‑C mode, which weakens the case for upgrading from the original.