Apple last week released the third-generation AirPods (AirPods 3). The announcement was made during the company's Unleashed event, where it also unveiled a redesigned MacBook Pro that comes in 14- and 16-inch sizes and features more powerful chips.
Apple's new $179 AirPods have a lot in common with the high-end AirPods Pro. The stems are shorter and the earpiece looks more like the AirPods Pro, except it retains the open design of the older model rather than the interchangeable tips.
The AirPods 3 also come with spatial audio support and water resistance, unlike the standard AirPods, which Apple will still sell for $129. The new headphones are available for pre-order ahead of their release next week.
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The main difference between the new AirPods and the AirPods Pro is still active noise cancellation, which is still exclusive to the $249 AirPods Pro. So far, the new earbuds seem like a middle ground between the basic AirPods and AirPods Pro, but we'll know more once we get a chance to test them out.
Here's a detailed comparison of the third-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro.
Design: AirPods 3 have a similar shape, but without the silicone tips“
If the new AirPods look familiar, it's because they borrow a lot of design cues from the AirPods Pro. The third-generation AirPods have an earpiece that's narrower than the standard AirPods. It's not as thin as the AirPods Pro's earpiece, but it's certainly not as round as the standard AirPods. The new AirPods are also water and sweat resistant like the AirPods Pro, which could make them a more appealing option for those who use them during exercise and outdoor activities.
Like the earpiece, the case for the new AirPods looks like a cross between the case for the standard AirPods and the AirPods Pro. It's much shorter and wider than the original AirPods case, but it's not as wide as the AirPods Pro case. You can also charge the third-generation AirPods case via wireless charging, including Apple's MagSafe charger.
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The third-generation AirPods also have a shorter stem, another feature that's similar to the AirPods Pro. These new stems also have the same Force Touch sensor as the AirPods Pro, which lets you control audio playback and launch Siri.
The biggest difference between the two in terms of design is that the new $179 AirPods don't have interchangeable silicone tips like the AirPods Pro, which come in three sizes to choose from. The new AirPods are also lighter than the AirPods Pro.
Audio: No active noise cancellation, but with other audio improvements
You'll have to use Apple's top-of-the-line headphones to get active noise cancellation and transparency, but the new AirPods also inherit a few other audio features from the AirPods Pro: spatial audio and adaptive EQ.
Spatial audio is essentially like virtual surround sound. The technology generally makes sound more realistic and mimics the experience of being in a movie theater. Apple introduced the feature to the AirPods Pro in last year's iOS 14 update, and it seems to be a core part of the AirPods experience. Both the new $179 AirPods and the $549 over-ear AirPods Max feature this feature. Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound based on the shape of your ear.
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Performance and battery: AirPods 3 have longer battery life but the same chip as AirPods Pro
The new third-generation AirPods are expected to have longer battery life than their predecessors. Apple says they'll last for six hours on a single charge, and up to five hours with spatial audio enabled. You'll also get up to four hours of talk time, and the charging case should provide up to 30 hours of listening time.
On the AirPods Pro, by comparison, the battery should last up to 4.5 hours on a single charge, and five hours if you turn off active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Apple also says they'll offer 3.5 hours of talk time, and the case provides 24 hours of total listening time.
Both the third-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro feature H1 chip , so they should offer similar performance in certain tasks.
Overall, the AirPods 3 look to be an upgrade in two areas: comfort and audio functionality. This is especially important as the true wireless headphone market has become very competitive.
Information source: cnet.com
