Everything We Know About Apple’s Newest AirPods

Tech Time to upgrade! by Emma Carey Oct. 18, 2021 Apple

Apple Today, Apple announced the release of a new and improved take on the world’s most ubiquitous headphones. AirPods 3 will come in a contoured and comfortable design, with features like improved sound, longer battery life, and spatial audio.

AirPods 3 Features: Design

Apple AirPods 3 will come in a sleek, subtle design with shorter stems and a contoured-for-comfort, lightweight, and water-resistant build. Like AirPods Pro, AirPods 3 will feature a force sensor for media playback control.

Sound

Apple The acoustic system of the AirPods 3 will offer a clearer and crisper sound. The new Adaptive EQ will optimize sound output by detecting how the AirPods fit in a user’s ears. With spatial audio, users access a surround-sound, three-dimensional listening experience.

AirPods 3 Battery

Apple The full battery life of the AirPods 3 has been improved to last six hours compared to the last generation’s five; just five minutes of charging will yield one hour of listening. You can also now charge the case with MagSafe wireless charging.

AirPods 3 vs. AirPods

Westend61/Westend61/Getty Images With improved sound features like Adaptive EQ, spatial audio, and an extended battery life, the AirPods 3 soars above the AirPods — despite their proximity in price.

AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro

What Hi-Fi Magazine/Future/Getty Images AirPods 3 closely resemble AirPods Pro’s shorter stem, along with its spatial audio and force sensors. The 3 even beats the Pro’s battery life , which maxes out at 4.5 hours per charge. But only the Pro and Max offer active noise cancellation.

AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Max

Getty Images Some of the clear advantages of the AirPods 3 over the AirPods Max are its sleek design, water-resistance, and Adaptive EQ. However, the AirPods Max is undefeated in its noise cancelling capacity.

AirPods 3 Price

Apple The AirPods 3 cost $179, making it more affordable than both the AirPods Pro ($249) and AirPods Max ($549). With the release of AirPods 3, the second generation of AirPods will now cost $129.

When Can You Buy AirPods 3?

Barcroft Media/Barcroft Media/Getty Images The AirPods 3 are available to order online beginning Oct. 18 and will ship next week. The AirPods 3 will be available in stores by Oct. 26.