Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro wireless half in-ear headphones for $125.10

With the Mobvoi TicPods 2 & 2 Pro, the long-awaited successors of the TicPods Free were presented at CES today. Compared to their predecessor, the TicPods 2 & 2 Pro are half in-ear headphones. We got the Pro version in advance – read here what we think of the new wireless in-ear!

Technical data

We tested the Mobvoi TicPods Free wireless in-ears for you about a year ago. A great headphone which is comparable to the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air. However, even then it offers a better range of functions, especially with regard to the controls. But it is a bargain with a regular price of $130 for the Pro version and $90 for the normal one.

With the TicPods 2 Pro, Mobvoi goes one step further and for the first time includes AI functions to make the operation easier. Although we haven’t had time for a complete test so far, we want to tell you about our first experiences with the headphones today!

Packaging and scope of delivery

The headphones arrived in a simple black package. Inside there is a Quick Start Guide, user manual, a very short USB-C charging cable and of course the headphones with charging box itself.

In my opinion, Mobvoi has done a good job with the presentation. The box conveys that you are dealing with a high-quality product here, others could cut themselves a slice here!

Design and finish

The Mobivoi TicPods 2 Pro are available in blue, white and a rosé tone. The blue is so dark that it could be black from a distance. Our test model is in just this color.

At first glance, the wireless half in-ear is well made. The material, at least in our blue model, looks cheaper than expected, which might be due to the alternation of matt and high-gloss plastic.

In comparison to the predecessor, it’s immediately noticeable that the charger case has basically the same shape, but it’s much smaller. So it definitely fits into the smallest trouser pocket! The handset itself has the same standard dimensions as the Apple AirPods.

The shape of the earphones differs in comparison to the AirPods or the Huawei FreeBuds 3. While the AirPods and most other half in-ear headphones have a clear oval shape, the TicPods 2 & 2 Pro are more rounded. The oval shape, which protrudes with its “tip” into the ear canal, is only hinted at here.

All in all, there is little to complain about at first. As already mentioned, headphones like the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 appear to me personally a bit more valuable. But of course, the personal feeling always plays a big role here.

Sound & wearing comfort of the Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro

The wireless in-ears are each equipped with a large 13 mm dynamic driver. As always, the sound is highly dependent on the individual fit of the headphones. The Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro, like the AirPods, unfortunately do not fit me so well in the ear, they only shield a little. An individual thing, which can of course be quite different with your ears.

In the high and midrange I like the sound quite well; the headphones dissolve solidly and you don’t have the feeling that the listeners are reaching their limits or overdriving. In the low frequency range they can’t keep up with in-ears, of course. The bass sounds for me personally, also due to the suboptimal fit, superficial and subbass is hardly present.

If I try to simulate a better fit in the ear by pushing the headphones slightly in, the headphones quickly sound strangely tuned. The midrange is then too strongly accentuated for me, but this can easily be ironed out in the equalizer. Unfortunately, the bass is only superficially better, there’s not really any strong sub bass.

I don’t really understand why many manufacturers currently switch from in-ear headphones to half/half in-ear headphones. Sure, the design seems to be popular and has advantages like a better perception of your environment. On the other hand, you can’t just change a rubber top when the headphones don’t fit properly. Either it fits or it doesn’t fit, in my opinion real in-ears simply provide more room for individualization.

AI functions – TicMotion™ & TicHear™

I really like the new innovative AI features of the Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro. TicMotion enables the control by gestures with the help of a built-in gyro sensor. For example, a double nod of the head can be used to answer calls, and a double shake of the head to reject them. Practical if you don’t have a free hand and in practice it even works quite well!

TicHear includes control by voice commands. At the moment, they work surprisingly reliable, but only in English, hopefully there will be an update for other languages. You can also activate the language assistant of Google & Apple with voice commands.

Evaluation

In my opinion, the Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro are difficult to compare with their predecessor in terms of sound, as the manufacturer has chosen a different type of headphones.

The design of the charger box is basically the same, but has become considerably smaller, which is nice! However, the battery capacity in the charger as well as in the headphones is not the greatest. The question is how energy-efficient the headphones are and how long they last in the test, which we will find out in the coming days.

I really like the new AI functions, which I don’t know from any other headphones in China. It would be nice if the TicHear language functions would also work in other languages in the future.