Apple AirPods 3 - Should You Upgrade?

The true-wireless headphone market is booming, and undoubtedly Apple’s AirPods are at the top of the pile. Launching its first wireless headphones in 2016, the company hasn’t been in a rush to toss out new iterations of this hot ticket item. Something we can indeed appreciate as by taking their time, Apple is ensuring that every new release is bigger and better. That’s evident from their latest release, the AirPods 3. Featuring a fresh and innovative design, the AirPods 3 delivers great sound, making it one of the best true wireless earbuds at the moment. Here’s all you need to know about the AirPods 3.

Price

The third-generation Apple AirPods are certainly not the cheapest wireless earbuds on the market. But Apple does indeed make them worthwhile in nearly every way. Launched on October 26th, the earbuds were availed at a cost of $279, making them the middle-sitters between the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, which go for $399 and $899, respectively. This is a high-end product that can fit most budgets, but if it doesn’t, previous models of the Apple AirPods in Australia are available for cheaper.

Design

The third-gen AirPods mark the biggest design change since their release in 2016. Most notably, Apple ditched the absurdly long stems in favour of shorter stems, similar to those on the Pro models. Expectedly, they are shorter than their predecessor at 1.21-inches compared to 1.59-inches. However, they are wider and deeper than their predecessors, standing at 0.72-inches and 0.76-inches respectively, as opposed to 0.65-inches by 0.71-inches. Nevertheless, the AirPods 3 look way more subtle on the ears when you wear them. 

Another design change that Apple made was the exclusion of the interchangeable silicone ear tips, but that only gives them a more secure fit and seal. Instead of an optical sensor, these pods feature a skin detection sensor. This enhances the entire audio experience as the music will only pause and start up again on the detection of skin. On the subject of material, the earbuds retain their usual hard white plastic finish, which Apple claims is IPX4-rated for sweat and water resistance. Remember, though, water resistance doesn’t translate to waterproof. While the earbuds can withstand sweat and a bit of rain, they shouldn’t be submerged in water. 

Fit

Creating earbuds with a universal fit can be a challenge, but Apple aced it. With the AirPods 3, we get an all-new shape that’s more bulbous. Due to the lack of silicone tips, they sit slightly further into the year. You might still experience a bit of a shift when you jostle, but they are incredibly comfortable, and you can wear them all day without feeling the pressure on your ears. 

Sound

The new AirPods offer an audio experience like no other. Boasting a new custom driver and high dynamic range amplifier, these earbuds deliver Adaptive EQ, spatial audio, and head tracking, features that elevate your listening experience. How, you ask? Well, for one, the new driver and adaptive EQ feature automatically tune your music based on how the AirPods fit in your ear. Spatial audio, on the other hand, lets you immerse yourself in the music and brings the vocals and instrumental details to life. That’s all thanks to the head tracking feature, which ensures sound playback is oriented by the location of your head. Therefore, when you listen to music, it will feel as though it’s emanating from around your head. Overall, the AirPods 3 deliver a crisp, clean sound with rich, consistent bass. 

Software

Like Apple’s more recent AirPod models, the AirPods 3 comes packed with the all-powerful H1 chip. It offers plenty of useful features such as an integrated Bluetooth listening experience, one-touch fast pairing with your iPhone, and Siri support. The chip also elevates functionalities like spatial audio, adaptive EQ, and dynamic head tracking. 

Battery

The cheap AirPods 2 already offered great battery life standing at five hours. Nevertheless, Apple sought to improve this. Comparatively, the new generation earbuds offer six hours of listening time on a single charge. If you include the charging case, you can easily get up to 30 hours of battery life instead of the AirPods 2’s 24 hours. The case comes with MagSafe support with magnetic alignment benefits as well as wireless charging capabilities. The AirPods also boasts a fast charge feature which offers an hour of listening time with a five-minute charge. 

Our Verdict

With features like dynamic head tracking and a built-in force sensor, the third-generation AirPods offer Pro-level features at a fraction of the cost. The new design is definitely more comfortable and offers a snugger fit. While we miss out on the noise cancellation feature, which can be found in the Pro models, Apple still delivers impressive upgrades, making these headphones worth buying if you are in Apple’s ecosystem.