The Apple AirPods 3 are finally available. After years of speculation, AirPods 3 is now available with a variety of brand-new improvements that enable them to keep up in the race to become the best wireless earpieces in the world.
Launched in the October Event of 2021. The AirPods 3 were released alongside other popular devices like the new MacBook Pro 2021 and, Apple’s new HomePod.
The new features include support for Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking (like the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max) as well as an adaptive EQ, as well as greater battery longevity than the predecessors.
AirPods 3rd generation AirPods (3rd generation) will also have a better sound than the AirPods of 2019. AirPods due to the custom-built driver designed to reduce distortion, but whether they'll match up against class-leading devices such as that of the Sony WF-1000XM4 is yet to be determined.
Price and date of release
Apple AirPods 3 (2021) are priced at $179/PS169/ AUD 279 and are available for pre-order through Apple's Apple Store. They will be available for purchase on the 26th of October, both in-store as well as online.
At first glance, this is more expensive than the previous generation AirPods that started at $159/PS159/AU $249 with a basic charging case.
However, Apple has announced that its second-generation AirPods are now available for a continuous price reduction, and they are now priced at $129, PS119, or AU $219.
If you take into account that AirPods (3rd generation) include wireless charging cases as standard, it's obvious that they're cheaper in comparison to those AirPods (2019), which is unfortunate that there's no affordable variant of AirPods 3 for those who do not require wireless charging.
The design
AirPods 3 don't deviate too much from earlier AirPods models, sporting an all-white minimalist design with protruding stems and gently curving lines. However, it appears Apple has taken inspiration from the AirPods Pro in the design of the AirPods (3rd generation) rather than from the previous generation of AirPods.
The protruding, long stems that made the 2019 AirPods so easy to recognize were replaced by shorter stems, which have force sensors with touch sensors, similar to those on the AirPods Pro, which allow you to control the music playback using a press on the stem. Additionally, you can press the stem to take or reject a call.
A shorter stem is something we've been waiting to see for quite some time. And, as Apple claims, " it does make for a "more subtle" appearance". Housings for the AirPods 3 have changed too and have a sleeker design than the previous models. Apple claims that the curved design is at just the correct angle so that they "deliver the sound directly to your ears".
Contrary to AirPods Pro, there are no ear tips that can be interchanged. Another exciting new feature of the third-generation AirPods includes IPX4 sweat resistance and water resistance. This means that you'll be able to exercise with them with no worries about getting a bit of sweat or rain.
This water resistance rating is comparable to the one for AirPods Pro, and while the AirPods 3 won't be as robust as running headphones with an IP67 rating, they'll work fine for routine exercise.
Audio features:
AirPods (3rd generation) improve on the outstanding sound quality that AirPods are famous for, beginning with a custom driver and a high dynamic range amplifier that work together to create strong bass and crisp, clear high frequencies.
The microphone is protected by an acoustic mesh that aids in reducing the sound from the winds, ensuring that the speaker's voice can be heard clearly on calls. AirPods are also equipped with AAC-ELD, an advanced speech codec, which provides HD voice quality and natural, clear communication for FaceTime calls.
The latest AirPods utilize digital audio to bring the new experiences customers are raving about for years on AirPods Pro as well as AirPods Max-like Adaptive EQ as well as spatial audio that includes dynamic head tracking to many more users.
To provide the best listening experience that is rich in sound, the new AirPods come with Adaptive EQ, which adjusts the sound in real-time depending on the way the AirPods sit within the ear of the user. An inward-facing microphone is used to monitor audio, and then an Adaptive EQ, powered by computation audio, tunes the lower and mid-frequency to compensate for what could be lost due to variations in the fit.
Spatial audio gives you a 3D theatre-like experience that puts sound almost anywhere in the universe and, with Dolby Atmos technology, AirPods sound better than they ever have. The AirPods 3 also offer a multi-level sound experience using dynamic head tracking, making music, videos, and even group FaceTime calls more immersive than ever.
Utilizing advanced audio spatial algorithms and utilizing the directional audio filters to alter the frequency that each ear is receiving, the latest AirPods will allow sound to be heard all within the vicinity of the wearer.
Battery life
The AirPods 3 come with a substantial improvement in battery life. In comparison to the previous AirPods, which included the ability to playback for 24 hours on a total basis (that's around 5 hours of playback for the earbuds and an additional 19 hours in an accessory case for charging). The latest AirPods 3 offer a 30-hour maximum battery duration.
Apple claims that you can get six hours of audio, or as long as four hours of talk time, and four additional charges for the case. If you're in a rush, just a five-minute charge will provide you with about a 1-hour playback.
Like the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 includes wireless charging cases as standard and is in sync with Apple's MagSafe ecosystem. However, the battery life drops to 5 hours if you are using Spatial Audio enabled-the same playback duration as the earlier AirPods.
Winding-up
And that’s all about the new AirPods 3.
Over the years AirPods have been the best-selling device for Apple by far and we surely hope the AirPods 3 will continue the legacy set forward by its ancestors.
