After all the hype, I’m shocked Apple’s new AirPods Pro still can’t support lossless

On-ear volume control is welcome, but where’s lossless support, Apple?

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In 2016,Apple’s AirPods burst onto the scene and changed the audio landscape forever. It remains the case today; head outside, count the ice-white ‘Pods. And more tellingly, count the dupes – imitation is the sincerest from of flattery.

Cut to September 2022 however, over a year since Applecasually rolled out hi-res audio at no extra cost to Apple Music subscribers, and a new set of AirPods Pro arrives, still missing the key feature all Apple Music members want.

My beef with the new AirPods Pro? Lack of support for Apple Music’s own Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless streams. It’s a feature which no AirPods can currently relay in full – no, not even the flagshipAirPods Max. I hoped that might change this time around, but no. It does feel as if Apple is continuing to snub its own loyal devotees here.

See, when Apple Music launched the free Music rollout, it simply told subscribers to use wired headphones for Lossless and to add a DAC for Hi-Res Lossless – adding that “Bluetooth connections aren’t lossless”.

The problem with this statement today? Other brands have managed it – see the excellent, $229Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which can wirelessly stream 24-bit audio from services such Apple Music when connected to a recent Galaxy phone, using Bluetooth 5.3 and the new ‘SamsungSeamless Codec’.

Then, there’s theNuraTrue Pro, which included support for lossless Bluetooth audio even before any source device capable of delivering it had been released. Now, such devices are in existence – and the resulting audiomade me doubt my hearing.

Where does all of this leave Apple? Well, a little behind the times… if the company changed tack and made the high-end wired headphones orportable DACswith which to enjoy its top-tier output, I would sing its praises. ButTim Cook’s behemoth persists with wireless buds, and bizarrely, it seems to be struggling…

Opinion: I won’t be switching until Lossless is on the menu

I applaud Apple for adding on-ear volume control to the newest AirPods Pro (even though it’s tricky to get the hang of) and an extra-small ear tip option, but these are hardly cutting-edge advancements in 2022 – see the $20JLab Go Air Pop.

The popularity of the Cupertino giant’s AirPods is indisputable, despite their high price-tag and initially questionable audio credentials – both the originals and the updatedAirPods (2019)gained 3.5 stars from us under review, thus nixing them from ourbest true wireless earbudsguide.

But ultimately I want to focus on theAirPods Pro 2here, which arrived on September 7 as part ofApple’s Far Out eventand has just hit stores (on September 23).

Now, thereareimprovements that ought to be celebrated – and celebrate them we have! Whether or not they’retoo ubiquitous to be cool, the noise cancellation is now excellent,thanks to a billion transistors. I’ve heard it, it’s like the bottom simply drops out of the room and you’re living only in your head.

And the Personalized Spatial Audio is inspired, adding an extra layer of insight through the mids during my time listening to them. If you own a set of AirPods Pro (either iteration) or AirPods Max and haven’t set this up yet, I urge you to do so today.

All things considered though, it’s all still a little… disappointing; shocking even, when you think of the manpower working at Apple Park. Perhaps it was wrong to get my hopes up for the second-gen. AirPods Pro, but if anyone can deliver wireless, lossless streaming of itsown content, surely it’s Apple?

Until I can get Apple Music Lossless from my iPhone to my AirPods, I’ll besticking to my old $30 EarPods.

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Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.

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