The third generation of the popular earbuds has been revamped with an improved design that includes shorter stalks and virtual surround sound.
Apple’s AirPods have become a common sight on the streets, but how does the third generation of the most popular wireless earbuds stack up? The latest iteration features a redesigned look, reminiscent of the Pro models, with shorter stalks and an improved fit. However, unlike the Pro version, they do not block the ear canal and instead sit in place, providing the benefits and drawbacks of an open fit. This includes a more spacious feel and no isolation from the surrounding environment. With a price tag of £169 ($179/A$279), the AirPods 3 are sold alongside the older 2nd-generation version now priced at £119, and the AirPods Pro at £239.
Apple AirPods 3 review: solid revamp with better fit and longer battery
Third-gen of popular earbuds have improved design, shorter stalks and virtual surround sound
Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editorTue 25 Jan 2022 07.00 GMT
Apple’s AirPods need no introduction due to their ubiquity on the street, but is the third generation of the most popular wireless earbud actually an improvement?
The new earbuds have been redesigned to resemble the Pro models with shorter stalks and a better fit. They don’t block your ear canal, like the Pros though, just rest in place with all the benefits and disadvantages of an open fit, including an airy feel and complete lack of isolation from the outside world.
Costing £169 ($179/A$279), they are being sold alongside the older 2nd-gen versions, now reduced to £119, and the £239 AirPods Pro.
They stay in place even when jumping around or violently shaking my head, and are fairly comfortable for upwards of 90 minutes at a time. But as anyone who has tried the previous versions only to have them immediately fall out will tell you, your mileage may vary as each ear is unique.
The shorter stalks have the same pressure-sensitive strip on them as the AirPods Pro. Squeeze it once, twice or thrice to pause the music or skip track, or hold to access Siri on an iPhone. Take one out and the music pauses and resumes when you put it back in your ear.
Specifications
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, AAC, H1 chip
- Battery life: six hours playback (30 hours with case)
- Water resistance: IPX4 (splash resistant)
- Earbud dimensions: 30.8 x 18.3 x 19.2mm
- Earbud weight: 4.28g each
- Charging case dimensions: 46.4 x 54.4 x 21.4mm
- Charging case weight: 37.9g
- Case charging: Lightning, Qi wireless (MagSafe)
Features and battery life
In testing, the battery of the new AirPods lasted for over seven hours for music and four hours for calls. The charging case is slightly larger than the previous generation but still smaller than the AirPods Pro, making it one of the most pocketable true wireless earbud cases. When fully charged, the case can recharge the earbuds up to four times, and a quick five-minute charge provides up to one hour of playback.
Like other Apple headphones, the new AirPods also feature the H1 chip and advanced capabilities. They can instantly pair with an iPhone or iPad, share audio with two sets of AirPods from one device, and automatically switch between Apple devices. The automatic switching feature is impressive when it works, but it can sometimes become confused, requiring manual intervention.
Improved sound
The AirPods 3 offer a pleasant sound with slightly emphasized high notes. They handle complex songs well, but lack the intricacies and nuances that can be produced by really good earbuds. Furthermore, they cannot handle deep, thumping bass, resulting in some tracks sounding somewhat flat.
Their most significant drawback is their inability to block out background noise, so forget about trying to listen to music on the loud London Tube or in a noisy office environment. However, this does mean you remain more aware of your surroundings.
A new feature of the AirPods is support for virtual surround sound with Apple devices, called “spatial audio,” which works with Dolby soundtracks for movies and music. The sound is adjusted based on the movement of your head, always keeping it centered on the screen in front of you. When you turn your head to the left, the voices still seem to come from the screen, but are now primarily heard in your right ear. It’s a very smart feature.
Price
The price of the third-generation AirPods is set at £169 ($179/A$279).
In contrast, the AirPods Pro is priced at £239, the Beats Studio Buds at £130, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series at £100, the Microsoft Surface Earbuds at £199, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 at £99.
Conclusion
The AirPods 3 offer an open-air fit that is unmatched in the industry and has some advantages. However, due to the complete lack of noise isolation, they are difficult to use in loud environments and do not sound as good as competitors with silicone earbud tips.
They are highly compatible with iPhones and other Apple devices, but their functionality is more limited with Android and Windows devices. Therefore, I would recommend them only if you use at least one compatible Apple gadget.
Although there are better-sounding earbuds available for the same price, none of them offer the open fit of the AirPods 3. If you prefer not to have silicone tips in your ear, these earbuds may be a good choice for you.
Advantages of the AirPods 3 include their open fit, good sound quality, decent battery life, excellent charging case, convenient playback controls, reliable connectivity, and special features with Apple devices like spatial audio. The earbuds also offer good call quality.
On the downside, the AirPods 3 lack any noise isolation or noise cancelling features. They also lack certain features when connected to Android or Windows devices, and do not have on-board volume control. Additionally, they cannot be repaired if they break and are relatively expensive compared to some alternatives.
