We got a unit of Apple’s latest wireless earbuds (the AirPods Pro) some weeks ago. An article covering our first thoughts and impressions about the device as we unboxed it was published. We’ve had time to put the AirPods Pro to use and form a more solid opinion based on first-hand experience. Let’s get to it.
Build and Design
I used older generations of the AirPods ( AirPods 1 & AirPods 2 ) but only briefly. So, the new short-stemmed design of the AirPods Pro took some time to get used to. Other than that, the design is fantastic.
The ear tips fit perfectly and tightly into the ears and there’s the liberty to choose other ear tip sizes that ships with it out of the box. I used the medium-sized (M) ear tips that were attached to AirPods from the factory but I found the smaller ear tips (S) to be more comfortable.
AirPods Pro Review: Small (S) and Large (L) Ear Tips
Interestingly, there’s an ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ that lets users test-run each ear tips to find the perfect size (Small, Medium, and Large) and fit. We’ll expand on this later on in this review.
There’s a rectangular hollow cut-out along the stem of both AirPods. This is the Force Sensor, a button-like control that lets you switch modes on the AirPods Pro. Simply tap and hold the force sensor for a second and you’d hear a beep notifying you that the modes have been switched. Speaking of modes, the AirPods has two:
1. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Like we did with the Cowin E7 Wireless Headphone , I also subjected the AirPods Pro to a “Blender Test.” The wireless earbuds efficiently blocked out the blender noise at a reasonable distance. As expected, the farther I was from the blender, the thinner the blender noise was. Averagely, however, the AirPods Pro provided about 70% of noise cancellation for “heavy” noise.
For the “light” ambient sound (Air Conditioner and Fan noise), Noise Cancellation was 100%. The AirPods Pro also completely silenced whispers and mid-volume conversations of people around me.
Note: To use the Noise Cancellation, both AirPods have to be placed in your ears.
2. Transparency Mode
You can think of this as the opposite of Noise Cancellation. In this mode, the AirPods Pro allows ambient sound in so you can hear people and things around you. During the review period, however, I noticed that in Transparency mode, the AirPods Pro slightly amplifies the volume and quality of ambient noise it lets in; sound was louder than what you’d naturally hear without the AirPods Pro in your ears.
Aside switching between both modes using the force sensor, iOS users can do so within the AirPods Pro Bluetooth settings menu or from the Control Center. When connected to your device, tap the info icon next to the AirPods Pro and select your preferred listening mode.
Alternatively, open the Control Center and long-press the volume slider — with the AirPods in your ears. This will reveal a menu that lets you switch the AirPods Pro listening modes.
Ear Tip Fit Test
Having the right ear tips attached to the AirPods Pro help to achieve a custom fit for different ear shape and sizes. This forms an airtight seal that helps with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. One downside is that the ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ is only available on iOS devices. Android users cannot perform the ear tips fitness test.
To carry out the test, place the AirPods in both ears. Next, launch your device’s Bluetooth menu and tap the info icon to reveal the AirPods Pro menu. Select ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ and follow the prompt.
AirPods Pro Review: Ear Tip Fit Test
I tried the fitness test and surprisingly, all the ear tips had the “Good Seal” approval on both ears. Haha. Truly, they did fit my ears but the small-sized (S) tips had the most comfortable seal. The fitness test is fun and innovative but ultimately, you’d have to rely on a physical test (not software) to pick the best ear tips that provide the best fit, noise cancellation, and audio quality.
Microphone Quality
I had high expectations of the AirPods Pro microphone and I wasn’t let down. As a refresher, the AirPods Pro has two microphones : an outward-facing mesh microphone and another one embedded within the AirPods. These microphones help to improve call quality and fine-tune voice clarity by adjusting the mid and low frequencies.
The AirPods Pro picked up my voice seamlessly and I had no experience of choppy or mumbled audio during voice or video calls.
Battery Life
True to Apple’s words , the AirPods Pro lasts an average of 4 – 5 hours on a single charge — with Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode disabled. Having either of both modes enabled cuts usage time to about 2 – 4 hours. On days where I only used the AirPods for phone calls and some light music play, usage clocked about 5-6 hours. Generally, and understandably, the number of usage hours you get will depend largely on factors like playback volume, device settings, usage intensity, ambient noise, etc.
When battery power is down to 10%, the low earbud(s) play a warning sound, notifying you that it needs to be charged. Another warning sound is played when the battery level hits 5%, after which it eventually dies and stops playing any sound when on 0%.
AirPods Pro Review: Battery Status
In the charging case, the AirPods Pro charge really fast. It took about 20 – 25 minutes to get the AirPods charged fully from 0%. Now, let’s talk about the charging case.
As advertised by Apple, the charging case (when fully charged) can provide 24 hours of usage. Well, the charging case didn’t last up to 24 hours but averagely, it charges the AirPods about 4 times before running out of battery juice. The charging case itself takes about an hour to charge. This was (and still is) enough to get me through a day of intense usage.
Now let’d do some basic maths. I get about 4 – 5 hours of usage from a full charge. The charging case recharges the AirPods Pro about 4 times. This translates to roughly 16 – 20 hours of usage.
Remember that this is subjected to how often you use the AirPods Pro and the type of activities you use it for. For example, playing music at 80% volume will deplete the battery faster than playing at 50% volume. Likewise, Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode will also consume more battery than regular usage.
Monitoring Battery Life
I had to constantly monitor the battery life of this device. Because, you know, I was reviewing it. Plus, I listen to lots of music, podcast, and watch videos too. So I try as much as possible to ensure the AirPods Pro is charged. There are two ways to check this device’s battery life:
1. Lifting the Lid
For iOS users, simply lifting the charging case’s lid will display a card showing the AirPods Pro battery and charging status.
However, this method requires you to have both (Left and Right) AirPods in the charging case. Lifting the lid with one or none of the AirPods on the charging case will do nothing.
2. Using the iOS ‘Batteries’ Widget
The Batteries widget on iOS lets you check the AirPods Pro battery and charging status on the fly. And this is really convenient because you can check the AirPods Pro battery in real-time, even when they are in your ears. To add the Batteries widget to your iPhone or iPad, swipe left from your device’s home screen and tap Edit. Now, tap the + icon next to Batteries to add the widget to your device, and hit Done.
The AirPods battery percentage should now be visible in the widget section. To see the charging case battery status in the Batteries widget, simply lift the lid.
AirPods Pro Review: iOS Batteries Widget
Something fascinating I discovered while tinkering around is that the widget shows the AirPods Pro battery even disconnected from your device. I disabled my iPhone’s Bluetooth and the widget still displays battery and charging status in real-time.
Sadly, there’s no direct way to check the AirPods Pro battery status on Android devices. You’d have to rely on third-party apps for that.
Charging
The AirPods Pro can only be charged in the charging case. The case can be charged using Apple’s proprietary lightning cable or wirelessly via a Qi-compatible charging pad. I didn’t have a wireless charger, so I’ve only charged the AirPods Pro using my iPhone’s lightning cable. As earlier mentioned, it takes about an hour for the charging case to get to 100%. Since wireless charging pads generally charge slower , expect the charging case to take over an hour to charge wirelessly.
Connectivity
The AirPods Pro connects to both iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth. There was no noticeable difference in connection speed, neither was there any delay in audio transmission.
To pair the AirPods Pro to any Bluetooth-enabled device, you need to tap and hold the setup button at the back of the charging case until the status light turns white.
AirPods Pro Review: Pairing LED indicator
Note that both AirPods have to be in the case during the pairing process.
Controls
The Force Sensor doubles as a button for playback control. Listed below are the actions you can perform with the AirPods Pro’s Force Sensor.
- Single-Press: Pause or Play audio/video, Answer incoming calls, End ongoing calls, and switch to another call.
- Double-Press: Skip forward to the next song on a playlist.
- Triple-press: Skip backward the previous song.
**Hold force sensor for a sound to switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode.
Unlike the 1st and 2nd generation AirPods, the Pro version lacks Tap Controls where users have to simply tap the AirPods to control calls and playback. I find that more convenient; the force sensor requires two hands and a little bit of ‘force’.
Worth the Price?
The redesign of the AirPods Pro is impressive. Build quality and overall construction are great as well. The ear tips and ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ are also cool new additions. Then there’s the Noise Cancellation support and Transparency Mode. The audio quality is also superb — similar to the 2nd-generation AirPods since they are powered by the same Deca-core H1 chipset. But it’s great nonetheless.
The immediate predecessor ( AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging) of the AirPods Pro costs $199. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, has a $249 price tag. So, are the new features worth the $50 increment? We’ll give you an answer right here, right now — YES! Apple’s tech might be pricey, but considering the pricing structure of older AirPods generations and their features, the AirPods Pro is rightly-priced. It is worth noting that the AirPods Pro is best used/paired with iOS devices. Android users might not enjoy the full features and the level of control that iOS offers. And this is understably so, since the AirPOds is an Apple device. I guesss it was built majorly with iOS devices in mind.
In a follow-up article, we’ll reveal some really cool trick that can be performed with the AirPods Pro.
What To Expect: How Live Listen works on the AirPods.
Sodiq Olamide is a tech writer based in Nigeria, covering the latest reviews, how-tos, and news on consumer tech trends with a unique African perspective. Whether analyzing emerging technologies or offering practical guides, Sodiq brings a deep understanding of how technology shapes lives across the continent.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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