The AirPods have finally received a brand new successor. AirPods 3 have a better fit and better sound, according to Apple. In addition, they shine with a range of "Pro" features. You can read who these headphones are for in our review. AirPods 3.
New professional design
Practical design, ease of use and quality sound: AirPods have been hugely popular since their launch in 2016 for a reason. Now, for the first time, Apple has completely updated the standard version of its wireless earbuds.
Apple says it has processed all feedback from previous generations of AirPods and has taken thousands of scans and ear measurements. The result is a redesigned design that sits somewhere between its predecessors and the more expensive AirPods Pro. The biggest design difference with the Pros is that the AirPods 3 don't have silicone tips.
Design pros and cons
The absence of these investments is both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the one hand, this means that the new AirPods do not completely cover the ear canal. This makes you less protected from ambient noise, and the bass is (usually) a little less expressive.
On the other hand, some users find it very convenient that you don't have to put the earplugs deep into your ears. Like their direct predecessors, the AirPods 3 are slightly lighter and more comfortable on the ears. Moreover, some do not want to completely shut themselves off from the outside world and appreciate that some sound gets through.
With thicker heads, third-generation AirPods are a bit less airy but more snug in the ears than the second generation. Because of this, it takes a lot of effort to make them fall out of the ears. However, you will still notice them much less than the AirPods Pro. In editors iphoned we found the AirPods 3 to be more comfortable to wear than the AirPods Pro and just as pleasant as the AirPods 1 and 2, but with the benefit of a tighter fit.
AirPods 3 Review: How Good Do They Sound?
The new headphones sound clearer and less "muffled" than their predecessors. This increases the intelligibility of vocals on the one hand and makes the sound more spacious on the other. If you're worried that this will lessen the warmth of the music, we can reassure you. The capitalization setting is also ideal for quieter songs such as London Grammar's "Wasting my young years".
Apple has further boosted the bass without making it too intrusive. As a result, "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac sounds fine even with AirPods, and with "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode low Synthesizers still reach your eardrums. As far as bass goes, you'll soon forget that your ear isn't stuffed with silicone earplugs like traditional in-ear headphones. Hello, Apple.
Just like the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, the AirPods 3 also tune the sound to your ears with an automatic equalizer. The measurement for this is made possible by the microphone located on the side of the headphones facing the ears.
What we're missing is the active noise cancellation of the more expensive AirPods Pro. However, as with silicone tips, this is only a problem if you want to completely isolate yourself from the outside world. This does not affect the sound quality, so it's a matter of taste.
Spatial audio and other audio features
As with the AirPods Pro (and unlike the AirPods 2), with the AirPods 3 you get a "Make Spatial Stereo" button in the iOS volume settings (in Control Center). With this Spatial Audio, the sound is sort of placed in a virtual space, and the vocals and instruments seem to come from different angles.
The result does indeed sound more spacious and less straightforward; it's a bit like listening to a live performance. Whether you like this sound or not is a matter of taste. Personally, we prefer to listen to as little modified music as possible, but there will certainly be users who will appreciate it.
On the other hand, dynamic head tracking is brilliant. For example, if you are watching a movie on your iPad and you turn your head to the left or right, the voices still seem to be coming from the side of the tablet. It's a shame that the position of the playing device doesn't matter, because AirPods only measure your head movement using acceleration sensors, not the distance to your iPhone or iPad.
New ear detection and AirPods 3 charging
To prevent music from continuing to play when you take your headphones off your ear, Apple is using a new in-ear sensor with the AirPods 3. It recognizes your skin and therefore, unlike a regular proximity sensor, doesn't confuse your pocket with your ear. Also new is water and sweat resistance (IPX4), which is useful during sports.
We already know from the AirPods Pro the button on the stem to control music and the "Find My" integration to easily find lost AirPods. Other features such as displaying battery status, connecting to all your devices with your Apple ID, Siri integration, and audio sharing are consistent with the previous generation. Unfortunately, there is no way to control the volume without the help of Siri.
The package also includes a Lightning to USB-C charging cable. Thus, you cannot charge the case with an old iPhone charger. Qi and MagSafe charging mats are supported, and the case snaps onto the latter with a magnet. Will it ever be possible to charge AirPods through your iPhone (reverse charging)? Only Apple knows this.
Prices for AirPods and AirPods Pro
Previously, AirPods 2 cost 179 euros at Apple without a wireless charging case. With a Qi-compatible box, the price was 229 euros. The latter remain in the store and now cost 149 euros.
AirPods 3 are only available in one version, always with a wireless charging case for 199 euros. Apple continues to sell AirPods Pro for €279, now with a MagSafe charging case. In addition to this new Pro version, some stores are also offering a discontinued non-MagSafe model at a much lower price. They cost just over 200 euros and are therefore almost as expensive as the AirPods 3.
Which is better depends on your preferences. Prefer a slightly more airy fit that allows ambient noise to pass through more easily? Choose AirPods 3. Is noise cancellation important to you and do you have problems with in-ear headphones? Then you need to upgrade to AirPods Pro.
Conclusion AirPods 3 Review
Apple mission accomplished. AirPods 3 is exactly the upgrade that previous generation enthusiasts have been waiting for. Fit and sound have really improved, and Spatial Audio and MagSafe are welcome additions. We would only choose the AirPods Pro if you absolutely need active noise cancellation.