AirPods 3: what’s new compared to AirPods, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro? – Frandroid

Apple has unveiled its third generation of AirPods. But what changes from previous models, whether AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro? We take stock.

This Monday evening, on the occasion of his autumnal keynote, Apple officially presented its new MacBook with a new format, but also new processors. At the start of the conference, the firm also presented a particularly anticipated new product, the AirPods 3.

Contrary to what some rumors suggested, these new wireless earphones retain the button format, without in-ear silicone tips. So what are the differences on offer with Apple’s previous wireless headphones, be it the 2016 AirPods, the version of 2019 or some AirPods Pro ? We take stock to help you understand the new features of AirPods 3.

Comparison table of AirPods 3 with previous models

	AirPods 3	AirPods Pro	AirPods 2	AirPods
Rod	Short	Short	Long	Long
Format	Open (buttons)	Intra-auricular	Open (buttons)	Open (buttons)
Active noise reduction	No	Yes	No	No
Chip	Apple h1	Apple h1	Apple h1	Apple W1
Spatial audio with head tracking	Yes	Yes	No	No
Sealing	Splash resistant (IPX4)	Splash resistant (IPX4)	No	No
Call autonomy	4 hours	3.5 hours	3 hours	2 hours
Reading autonomy	6 hours	5 hours	4.5 hours	5 hours
Autonomy with the box	30 hours	24 hours	24 hours	24 hours
Codecs	AAC and SBC	AAC and SBC	AAC and SBC	AAC and SBC
Housing dimensions	46.4 x 54.4 x 21.38 mm	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 mm	53.5 x 44.3 x 21.3 mm	53.5 x 44.3 x 21.3 mm
Wireless charging of the case	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

AirPods Pro without noise reduction

When you look at the different features of the AirPods 3, whether it’s the look of the headphones, their functionality, the on-board chip or their battery life, you quickly realize that it is in fact AirPods 3 which would have removed two characteristics. For one thing, the AirPods 3 don’t come with silicone tips. Apple has indeed wanted to keep a version of its wireless headphones for fans of button headphones, with an open format. The AirPods 3 are therefore not in-ear headphones with tips that fit into the ear canal.

This format has the advantage of being more comfortable for some users. Nevertheless, it poses two challenges. First, the sound tends to be less directive, since it can escape the ear canal. Second, it doesn’t offer any passive isolation as AirPods 1 or 2 users know.

Then, unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 does not have an active noise canceling mode. A rather logical choice in the absence of passive insulation since, as we have seen with the Huawei FreeBuds 4where the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live , this function is often useless in the absence of end caps blocking external sounds upstream.

Much more advanced functions than AirPods 2

The fact remains that if the AirPods 3 are distinguished from the AirPods Pro by the absence of noise reduction, the headphones are still much more advanced than the AirPods 2 launched in 2019. Apple has indeed added a number of features that were previously available. now an exclusive of its high-end headphones.

This is particularly the case for the management of 3D audio with head tracking. On compatible applications, you will not only be able to enjoy sound in Dolby Atmos – Like on Apple Music– but also have surround sound tracking if you turn your head. Concretely, by turning your head to the left, you will have the impression that the group or the orchestra is located on your right, and vice versa. A function made possible by the integration of a gyroscope and an accelerometer, as on the AirPods Pro.

We can also welcome the fact that Apple has finally made its AirPods waterproof thanks to an IPX4 resistance which provides protection against splashes and therefore sweat or rain. In concrete terms, you can now run with AirPods 3 without worrying that they will take on water.

The toughest AirPods on the market

In terms of autonomy too, Apple has made great progress on its AirPods 3. As a reminder, this was one of the rare new features of the AirPods 2 at their launch, since the autonomy in call increased from 2 to 3 hours. Apple has boosted this autonomy for conversations at 4 hours. Mainly for music playback , AirPods 3 can work for 6 hours. That’s more than AirPods and AirPods 2 (4:30) and even AirPods Pro (5 hours).

The charging case – similar in format to the AirPods Pro and also MagSafe compatible – allows it to enjoy a total of 30 hours of listening, compared to 24 hours for the three previous models.

AirPods 3 price and availability

Apple’s new headphones will be available on Tuesday, October 26. They are offered in white only, at a price of 199 euros.

Faced with the announcement of Airpods 3, AirPods 2 have dropped in price. They are now offered at a price of 149 euros, against 229 euros when they were launched. It must be said that faced with an increasingly fierce mid-range market, Apple had to adjust its prices in order to offer a consistent move upmarket. As a reminder, this is the same price as the Beats Studio Budsfrom Apple, which in turn feature passive isolation and active noise reduction.

The AirPods Pro are still offered at Apple at a price of 279 euros, while the first AirPods are no longer offered in the catalog of the American manufacturer.