New AirPods 3rd Generation Difference, Price, and Full Review

Apple AirPods 3 are Apple’s newest wireless earbuds with spatial audio, up to 6 hours of playtime, and an all-new contour design.

Almost a hybrid of the second-generation Apple AirPods and Apple AirPods Pro, released in 2019, the new AirPods bring many of the features you’d expect from the best wireless earbuds in an updated form.

The third-generation AirPods retain an open design, so there is no active noise cancellation. Still, users can experience the Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ tools in the company’s premium headphones.

AirPods 3rd Generation Review

AirPods are considered the best earbuds for Apple users because they have Siri and Apple’s H1 chip built-in for easy pairing and quick handoff.

These new AirPods offer all these features: sweat and water resistance, MagSafe charging, and more. This makes it more challenging to choose between the wide variety of AirPods. So, we want to help you decide on the AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro showdown.

What is the difference between AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro?

The active noise cancellation feature is the main difference between the new AirPods Pro. So far, the new earbuds seem like a middle ground between the basic AirPods and AirPods Pro, but we’ll know more when we can try them out.

Here’s a breakdown of how the 3rd generation AirPods compare to the AirPods Pro. If you’re curious, here’s what you need to know about the old AirPods deal.

1. Design

If the new AirPods look familiar, it’s because they borrowed a lot of design cues from the AirPods Pro. Like their more expensive siblings, the third-generation AirPods have narrower earpieces than standard AirPods.

It’s not as thin as the earpieces on the AirPods Pro, but certainly not as round as standard AirPods. The new AirPods are water- and sweat-resistant, like the AirPods Pro, making them a more attractive option for those who use them frequently during workouts and outdoor activities.

The most significant difference in design is that the new AirPods don’t have interchangeable silicone tips like the AirPods Pro, which comes in three sizes. The new AirPods are lighter than the AirPods Pro at 0.15 ounces versus 0.19 ounces.

2. Case

Like the earpieces, the new AirPods case looks like a cross between the standard and the AirPods Pro case.

It’s much shorter and broader than the entry-level AirPods case but not as wide as the holster on the AirPods Pro.

The third-generation AirPods case can also be charged via wireless charging, including Apple’s MagSafe charger, or by plugging it in.

The third-generation AirPods have narrower earpieces similar to the AirPods Pro.

3. Stem

The third-generation AirPods also have a shorter stem, another feature similar to the AirPods Pro. This new stem has the same Force Touch sensor as the AirPods Pro, allowing you to control audio playback and launch Siri.

4. Audio

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode still means you’ll have to show off your money on Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds.

However, the new AirPods inherit several other audio features from the AirPods Pro Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ.

Spatial audio is essentially like virtual surround sound. This technique usually wraps the audio more and mimics the experience of being in a movie theater.

Apple introduced this feature to the AirPods Pro in last year’s iOS 14 update, and it seems to be a vital part of the AirPods experience.

The new AirPods and over-ear AirPods Max both have this feature. Adaptive EQ adjusts audio based on the shape of your ear and was previously only on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

5. Battery

The new third-generation AirPods should have a longer battery life than their predecessors. Apple says it lasts 6 hours on a single charge and up to 5 hours of use when Spatial Audio is enabled.

It also comes with up to 4 hours of talk time, and the charging case should provide up to 30 hours of listening time.

By comparison, AirPods Pro lasts up to 4.5 hours on a single charge and 5 hours with active noise cancellation and invisible mode disabled. Apple claims 3.5 hours of talk time, and the case gives 24 hours of listening time.

The third-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro both feature Apple’s H1 chip, so they should offer similar performance for tasks like invoking Siri and quickly connecting to Apple devices.

The new AirPods 3 have a longer battery life than AirPods Pro.

6. Price

The Apple AirPods 3 are priced at $179.00; on the other hand, the second-generation AirPods Pro still costs $249.

Apple’s third-generation AirPods 3 are cheaper than AirPods Pro.

Conclusion of AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro

Overall, the AirPods 3 takes Apple’s earbuds to the max in the three most essential areas: comfort, audio, and battery capabilities.

Get the new AirPods 3 from Amazon.