AirPods 3rd Gen: Meet the New Version of The Most Popular Earbuds on The Market.

Apple has sold an estimated 200 million AirPods since they released the first model. They are one of the best-selling headphones in history. Four years later, the new version appears: Apple AirPods 3.

The third generation retains the design of the AirPods Pro, the premium version of the AirPods. In addition, they offer improved sound, new spatial audio technology and are splash resistant. That said, they don't feature active noise cancellation, and cost about the same as the AirPods Pro. Are they worth it? Let's find out.

Design and construction quality

The Apple AirPods 3 keep the design of the AirPods Pro. The cups are short, as in the noise-cancelling version, a detail we appreciate. In addition, they are slightly smaller and lighter, although this is almost imperceptible. That said, they do not come with the interchangeable silicone tips, something that would have improved the seal and security of fit.

On the other hand, the non-intrusive design of the Apple AirPods 3 is a positive feature for those who don't like to stuff their ears with silicone, although the fit is not for everyone. Some users have complained that their ears overheat after prolonged use.

The new cups integrate touch controls that allow you to manage music and answer calls. The controls are more versatile than those present on the AirPods 2, and resemble those on the AirPods Pro. Pressing them once allows you to play, pause or answer calls, pressing them twice advances songs, and three taps rewind them. Holding them down for a few seconds activates Siri.

The controls are not that easy to use, but you get used to them after a while. Unfortunately, they do not allow you to control the volume, nor do they have ANC or ambient mode. However, they work with the new spatial audio technology.

Apple AirPods 3: Spatial Audio

The new 3rd generation AirPods integrate an innovative new Apple technology known as spatial audio, launched with the iOS 14 system to enjoy movies and shows. In addition, the technology was expanded to music thanks to a partnership with Dolby Atmos.

Spatial Audio uses 3D audio algorithms that apply directional audio filters to subtly adjust the frequencies that each ear receives. This generates a more realistic surround effect and a remarkable sound spatiality.

Spatial Audio can be used with any pair of compatible Bluetooth headphones, but the new AirPods, like the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, offer the most complete experience. This is because they integrate accelerometers and gyroscopes to track the user's head movement .

Thus, the sound is always faithfully adjusted in relation to the screen on which you are enjoying the content. This also means that if you turn or move the device, the dialogues remain anchored to the actor on the screen.

They are perfect for enjoying content on Apple TV. We tested them with several programs, and perceived a more immersive sound when the spatial audio function was active. The spatiality expands, and the effects sound much more dramatic.

On the other hand, spatial audio doesn't work as well when listening to music. Surround effects processing sacrifices some focus on vocals. We tested them with the spatial audio mode playing some Beatles Dolby Atmos songs, and preferred the stereo mode. Spatial mode loses some of the direct directionality offered by stereo sound.

Connectivity

The AirPods 3, like the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, do not support the new lossless audio from the Apple Music catalog. This is due to the restrictions of the Bluetooth AAC codec they work with. However, wireless connectivity works excellently thanks to Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

They integrate the Apple H1 chip, and you can play simultaneously with two pairs of AirPods 2, Pro or Max from the same device. They also have the feature present in the AirPods Pro called Adaptive EQ, which adjusts the sound in real time according to the adjustment that the earbuds generate in your ears.

Another improvement of this new model is the clarity of calls. The microphones work great for answering calls. They work with the codec called AAC-ELD, which is specifically designed to improve the clarity of voices. The microphones are also covered by an acoustic shield to reduce wind noise.

Apple Airpods 3: Battery Life

Apple also improved the battery of the AirPods 3. The new earphones have an autonomy of six hours, although the capacity drops to about five hours if you use the spatial audio mode or very high volumes .

Likewise, the new case/charging base provides you with four additional charges for a total of 30 hours. The case is charged with the Lighting connector, and five minutes of charging is enough to get more than an hour out of them.

The case is compatible with MagSafe wireless chargers, and is smaller than that of the AirPods Pro. Another positive feature is that the case is, for the first time, splash water resistant thanks to IPX4 certification, just like the earbuds.

Sound quality

In addition to the new features and design, the Apple AirPods 3 offer improved sound. They integrate a low distortion driver that is tuned to produce a well-balanced and pleasing sound. All frequencies are vibrant, and the audio is perceived as richer than in previous models. Bass is deep and accurate, while treble and mid-range tones maintain a good presence.

The main difference from the second-generation AirPods is that the new model offers clearer and cleaner audio. The sound presentation is well organized. Like most in-ear headphones, sound quality suffers when you use very high volumes. Nevertheless, they sound better than the non-ANC headphones we have tested.

The Pro's are still the best AirPods in terms of sound, as the audio feels more dynamic and spacious. The new Sony WFs also offer more subtle details.

Conclusion

The new version of the AirPods features the more attractive design of the Pro, improved sound, a higher performance battery and resistance to water splashes. Connectivity is great, and call clarity is remarkable.

They don't offer active noise cancellation, and don't fit as well as the AirPods Pro. They are also not the best True Wireless headphones in terms of sound quality. That said, they deserve their popularity for all the good features. Interested ? Find the best prices on Amazon.

If you are an Android user, we recommend you check out the realme Buds Q2 and Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2.

AirPods 3 reviews

The new version of the AirPods has a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Below, we have copied some opinions from the website so that you can be guided by user reviews:

Warwick: “Apple AirPods 3 offer good sound, integrate the H1 chip, are comfortable and IPX4 certified.”

Nacho: “Somewhat dissatisfied because at this price they should have active noise cancellation”.

Pablo Mane Lopez: “Quality to which we are accustomed from Apple, but the fit is not as good and the Pro is better…”