Everything you need to know about the third-generation of the standard AirPods.
Why you can trust Pocket-lint (Pocket-lint) — Apple’s AirPods have been highly successful since they first arrived five years ago. Since the first generation, we’ve had the second-gen model in early 2019 in the AirPods 2 or AirPods with wireless charging as they were officially called, followed by the truly spectacular AirPods Pro. Apple AirPods Pro vs AirPods 2: Which are the best Apple true wireless earphones for you? Apple has now launched the third generation of the standard AirPods though, officially called AirPods (3rd Generation). Here is everything you need to know about the update of the main AirPods. For all the rumours surrounding the AirPods Pro 2 — due out in 2022, you can read our separate feature. squirrel_widget_6163001 Release date and price Pre-order 18 October 2021 Available 26 October 2021 $179 Apple announced the third generation of the standard AirPods at its ‘Unleashed’ event on 18 October 2021. This is two-and-a-half years after the second generation model — the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case or AirPods (2nd Generation) — that launched in March 2019. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are available to pre-order immediately and will hit stores on 26 October. They sit in between the second-generation AirPods — which will continue to be sold — and the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Max continue to sit at the top if the AirPods portfolio. In terms of price, the AirPods (third-generation) cost $179 in the US. Apple AirPods 3 design Shorter design like AirPods Pro White colour option only IPX4 rated The third generation of the standard AirPods adopt a slightly shorter design like the AirPods Pro, sitting in between the AirPods 2 and the AirPods Pro in terms of look. The ear tips are similar to the original and second-generation standard model, while the stems are similar to the AirPods Pro. That means you don’t get the silicone tips — which also allow for active noise cancellation — but with the second generation identical to the first generation, it’s the biggest design update since AirPods launched in 2016. There is a force sensor on the bottom of the AirPods (3rd Gen) stems, allowing for more control over music and phone calls and there is water and sweat resistance on the standard AirPods this time round too, again borrowing from the AirPods Pro. The IPX4 rating applies to the headphones themselves, as well as the charging case. Colour options are white only, as has been the case since the AirPods first arrived in 2016. There have long been rumours of more colours joining the line up, like black ones, but alas, it wasn’t to be this time round. AirPods 3 audio hardware Spatial Audio Adaptive EQ Custom driver A number of hardware upgrades are on board the third generation model, including support for Apple’s Spatial Audio technology, which is designed to create a three-dimensional theatre-like experience, placing sound virtually anywhere in space, and there is Dolby Atmos support too. There’s Adaptive EQ as well, which is said to tune sound in real time, according to how the AirPods fit in a user’s ear. Inward-facing microphones monitor for sound, while Adaptive EQ uses computational audio to tune low and mid-frequencies, to account for what might be lost due to variances in fit. An acousitc mesh covers the microphone to help reduce wind noise, while a custom driver and high dynamic range amplifier are claimed to offer powerful bass with «crisp, clean frequencies». AirPods (3rd Gen) features H1 chip Better battery life MagSafe compatible wireless charging case The H1 chip is on board, enabling the same instant pairing as the AirPods family all offer with iOS devices, and the AirPods (3rd generation) are also compatible with the Find My network too. There is also a promise of longer battery life and more talk time. The AirPods (3rd Gen) have six hours of listening time, with 30 hours in total if you include the extra charges from the wireless charging case. Five minutes of charging will give you one hour of listening time too. You also get features like the Notication Announcements and Call Announcements, which you get on the AirPods (2nd Gen) and AirPods Pro. Additionally, there are sensors to detect when the AirPods (3rd Gen) are taken out of your ear, and you can say «Hey Siri» to make calls or hands-free requests.
