After a massive gap of over two years, Apple just announced the third generation of its hugely popular AirPods. Considering the second-generation came out in early 2019, it has been a long wait for customers who wanted to upgrade, but didn't want the AirPods Pro.
The new AirPods (3rd Generation) don't offer a spec bump, but rather a design refresh along with new features. So, if you had your eyes on a new truly wireless pair of earbuds, here's everything you need to know about the new AirPods.
What's New in the AirPods (3rd generation)?
Apple focused on three key areas for its latest AirPods—the design, features, and battery life. So, before we discuss pricing and release date, let's look at all the changes the AirPods (3rd generation) bring to the table.
1. An AirPods-Pro-Inspired Design
The third-generation AirPods look nothing like the outgoing model, as they sport an all-new design. The first thing you'll notice is the shorter stem, which is a welcome change since you no longer need to worry about your earbuds sticking out awkwardly.
The new AirPods look almost identical to the AirPods Pro, albeit without the silicone ear tips that help with noise cancellation. They even feature the same force sensor as the AirPods Pro, which you can use to control audio playback and Siri.
2. Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio
While Apple uses a new low-distortion driver to provide powerful bass and crisp high frequencies on the new AirPods, it still relies on computation audio to enhance your listening experience. The third-generation AirPods feature Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, just like the AirPods Pro.
Adaptive EQ uses inward-facing microphones to automatically tune the music to the shape of your ear, thereby ensuring you get the best possible audio quality. At the same time, Spatial Audio places sounds all around you to provide a three-dimensional listening experience for movies, TV shows, and music.
3. Improved Battery Life
The new third-generation AirPods deliver an extra hour of battery life compared to the second-generation AirPods. Apple claims up to six hours of music listening time or four hours of talk time for voice calls, and with four charges in the carrying case, you get up to 30 hours of total listening time with this model.
Wireless charging is standard this time around, meaning you don't have to pay extra for a special case. Along with that, Apple has included support for MagSafe charging, which is great news for people who use the tech with an iPhone 12 or later.
What's the Price of the AirPods (3rd Generation)?
Apple has set a price tag of $179 for the third-generation AirPods, which looks more expensive than the previous models at first glance, but it's quite literally the opposite.
The second-generation AirPods had a launch price of $159, but that was for the variant without the wireless charging case. You needed to shell out $199 for the AirPods with the wireless charging case at launch, making the latest model with wireless and MagSafe charging more affordable than the previous release.
What's the Release Date for the AirPods (3rd Generation)?
The latest third-generation AirPods are currently available for preorder on the Apple Store, with orders shipping next week. You may need to wait a little longer if you choose to personalize your AirPods with an engraving. Apple will start selling the AirPods (3rd generation) in stores starting October 26, but keep in mind that availability varies by region.
AirPods 3 Bring the Design Refresh We Wanted
The new AirPods look different, last longer, and borrow a couple of features from the more expensive AirPods Pro while being more affordable than the previous generation or the AirPods Pro. What else can you ask for? Apple has checked all the necessary boxes to ensure that the AirPods remain the best-selling, truly wireless earbuds in the market.