Like smartphones and smartwatches, wireless earbuds now come in top-of-the-line models with Pro labels. Such is the case for the NuraTrue Pro and the AirPods Pro. With their pro-level pricing, these true wireless earbuds expectedly come packed with features. From customized sound to whole-day battery life, the NuraTrue Pro and AirPods Pro aim to please. But which ‘pro’ option is better? Below, we compare the two wireless earbuds to find out.
NuraTrue Pro vs AirPods Pro Comparison Chart
Design
The NuraTrue Pro wireless earbuds are larger than the AirPods Pro, although it rivals Apple’s product when it comes to build quality and water resistance.
The NuraTrue Pro earbuds build on the design of its predecessor, the NuraTrue earbuds. You get the same disc-shaped buds, in-ear nozzles, and stabilizing wing tips. Unlike the original NuraTrue, however, the Pro model sport a ceramic finish to its round housings. The same glossy material is used on the Nura logo emblazoned on the discs, lending the earbuds a more premium feel.
If you own the original AirPods Pro, then the latest AirPods Pro iteration isn’t a big difference. Short stems, bulb-shaped housings, and clean white finish — familiar qualities of Apple’s wireless earbuds. Instead, Apple applied design changes to the charging case. Now, the AirPods Pro’s case features a speaker that plays a loud tone when a Find My feature is activated. It also comes with a lanyard loop, so you don’t have to find a wayward case in the first place.
Between the two wireless earbuds, the NuraTrue Pro is larger. Its disc housing makes the device prominent when worn. Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds and charging case are smaller and lighter, making it a pocket-friendly option. Both Pro earbuds include four ear tip sizes in the box. However, Nura does more by adding a pair of foam ear tips and an extra pair of wing tips.
Going to the gym? Out for a run? The NuraTrue Pro and AirPods Pro are IPX4-rated, making them sweat and water-resistant. Apple goes further by adding the same durability and resistance to its charging case.
Features and Sound
The NuraTrue Pro earbuds boast ear-tuning tech and lossless audio support, while the AirPods Pro earbuds are known for their adaptive EQ and dynamic spatial audio.
The NuraTrue Pro and AirPods Pro offer advanced features to enhance the listening experience. However, the quality boils down to the user’s hearing profile and preferences.
NuraTrue Pro
The NuraTrue Pro boasts Nura’s unique sound personalization technology that measures hearing to create a personalized EQ. Moreover, unlike the NuraTrue earbuds, the custom profiles made by the NuraTrue Pro can be manually fine-tuned through the NuraPro EQ on the Nura app. The earbuds also feature adaptive noise cancellation, which automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level to match the ambient noise level.
Nura shares that the NuraTrue Pro also comes with Spatial Audio powered by Dirac. With this, stereo content is turned into an immersive audio experience. However, it does lack the head-tracking capability available on the AirPods Pro.
But the biggest draw of NuraTrue Pro earbuds is its support for lossless audio. “Lossless audio” is a type of compressed audio file that maintains the original audio quality without any loss of data.
It’s important to note that you will need the right hardware to enjoy lossless audio. One of the few phones that do is the Asus Zenfone 9. Several other smartphones rumored to support the format include high-end Android devices, so access to the feature is limited at the moment.
AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro also have a couple of tricks under its sleeve. First is active noise cancellation, which blocks out background noise. On the flip side, you get transparency mode that allows the user to hear ambient sound. Since everyone’s ear is shaped differently, the AirPods Pro also boasts Adaptive EQ. The tech basically adjusts the frequencies of a track based on the shape of an individual’s ear, allowing for a bespoke listening experience.
Apple has also equipped the 2nd generation AirPods Pro with Spatial Audio. In simple terms, the technology uses advanced algorithms to create a surround sound experience.
On the AirPods Pro, Spatial Audio uses sensors in the earbuds to track the movement of the listener’s head. It then automatically adjusts the audio to match the listener’s perspective. This creates a sense of depth and dimension in the sound, making it feel like the audio is coming from different directions. It also ensures that the audio remains in sync with the visuals, even as the listener moves their head.
Spatial Audio works with any content that supports 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos, and is compatible with any device running iOS 14 and later, iPadOS 14 and later, and tvOS 14 and later.
Controls and Settings
While the NuraTrue Pro and AirPods Pro both use touch controls, Nura’s companion app allows for more customizations.
The NuraTrue Pro and AirPods Pro earbuds primarily use touch controls. In the case of Nura’s flagship, the touch controls are on the outer surface of the earbuds. The touch gestures can then be used to adjust volume, navigate through tracks, and activate ANC.
When setting up the NuraTrue Pro, the companion Nura app is a must. Available for both Android and iOS, the app allows users to customize the listening experience, including adjusting the custom-tuned EQ and remapping the touch controls.
With Apple’s AirPods Pro, the touch controls are located on the stem. Here, you get the same function as with the NuraTrue Pro. In addition, the AirPods Pro can be controlled using other Apple devices including the iPhone and iPad, allowing you to adjust volume levels, noise cancellation levels, and more.
As an Apple product, the AirPods Pro earbuds only have Siri as the voice assistant. In contrast, the NuraTrue Pro has support for Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.
Battery and Charging
While the NuraTrue Pro earbuds offer a longer battery life, the AirPods Pro has the edge in charging options.
If you’re someone who listens for hours and hours, the NuraTrue Pro has the advantage. These wireless earbuds deliver up to eight hours of battery life. In case you need more, the NuraTrue Pro’s charging case carries an additional three full charges for up to 32 hours of listening. Nura shares it takes one hour to fully charge the case. A five-minute charge, on the other hand, is enough for an hour of playback.
Meanwhile, Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds offer six hours of continuous use. With its MagSafe charging case, you also get an additional 32 hours of listening. The case itself is compatible with a broad range of Qi-certified wireless chargers. It also has the usual Lightning connector. However, with MagSafe compatibility, you can easily align the case to an Apple Watch charger.
Verdict
Opt for the NuraTrue Pro for its ear-tuning tech and broader compatibility. Pick up the AirPods Pro if you want seamless integration with other Apple devices.
The NuraTrue Pro earbuds stand out for their unique personalized sound technology that adapts to the user’s hearing profile, providing a bespoke listening experience. They also offer a longer battery life than the AirPods Pro and have support for lossless audio, although smartphone compatibility for lossless is still limited.
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro earbuds are known for their sleek design, easy setup, and integration with other Apple devices. They also offer active noise cancellation and transparency mode, along with adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio, the latter of which even features head-tracking capabilities. You also get more charging options, including convenient MagSafe compatibility.
Overall, the NuraTrue Pro are a good choice if you want a sound profile tailored to your listening hearing or want a future-proof device with lossless audio support. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro are ideal for those looking for more reliable active noise cancellation and seamless integration with Apple devices.
FAQs
Unlike the AirPods Pro, the NuraTrue Pro are the first wireless earbuds to support lossless audio, preserving all the data from the original source.
Yes. The NuraTrue Pro wireless earbuds employ sensors to detect if they are positioned correctly on your ears.
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Yes. The NuraTrue Pro allows the use of either earbud independently.