Apple AirPods (3rd Generation), A Comprehensive Review and Buyer's Guide

With Apple AirPods (earbuds without wires) back in 2016, it was basically a clean sweep. Ever since, the name Apple AirPods has become almost synonymous with wireless earbuds. If you own Apple devices, the next step is inevitable: you’ll be tempted to get a pair of Apple wireless headphones. That’s what happened to me. Now that the third-generation AirPods (Apple AirPods 3) are out, we decided to take a closer look and review them based on several criteria, including features, performance, and who should buy.

A Deep Dive into the Features

The Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) give you are many features to use these AirPods (3rd generation) in many ways. Here is a list of what makes these buds so great:

• Dynamic head tracking Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking: Creates a 3D soundstage that flows around you, as if you’re listening to your music live or in a movie theatre, or simply hearing sounds behind you.Dynamic head tracking – Constantly adapts the audio to your head movements, keeping it sounding consistent and real, even if you’re moving your head constantly.
• Adaptive equalisation: Internal microphone analyses the shape and structure of the ear canal to tune the audio frequencies for the best possible sound. You hear music as the artist intended, with optimal clarity and definition.
• 6x battery life: AirPods (3rd generation) have better battery life than any previous AirPods models, offering up to 6 hours of listening time on one full charge. Inside the case, you can listen for up to 30 hours or charge them for 1 hour.
• MagSafe Charging Case: The MagSafe charging case gives your AirPods the ability to recharge wirelessly. When you put the case on a MagSafe charger, the AirPods will begin charging through an automatic and secure magnetic thread.
• Water and Sweat Resistant: • IPX4 water and sweat resistance • Designed to withstand the rigours of your workouts. • Sweat and water resistant.
• Find My Integration: If you’re an Apple user and often find yourself losing your precious AirPods, you no longer need to panic. These new AirPods are perfectly compatible with the Find My app on your Apple device. Even if your AirPods aren’t connected to your device, Find My can help you locate the last known spot of your earbuds, helping protect your investment and minimise your risk of losing your earbuds.

Sound Quality: A Refined Listening Experience

The Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) offer an impressive boost in sound quality from previous generations. The sound is detailed and refined, with clean highs, well articulated mids, and punchy bass that retains a tight and defined quality with some added depth for increased warmth and richness. The Adaptive EQ senses your individual ear shape and tunes the music for your ear shape. While the AirPods (3rd Generation) don’t have active noise cancellation, spatial audio helps to deliver a more immersive experience with a wider, more open soundstage that feels more realistic. This is especially the case for more complex music with layered soundscapes.

Comfort and Fit: A Comfortable Companion

There’s a comfort and security in fit here, largely due to the redesigned form factor: the shorter stems of the AirPods (3rd Generation) are less obtrusive, particularly for those who have smaller ears – as myself. Apple also provides a variety of ear tip sizes to ensure a secure fit for a broad range of ear shapes for comfort and a pleasant extended-use experience. It’s this fit that enables the wearer to engage in physical activity without the earbuds bouncing and falling out; it’s also crucial to achieving the benefit of spatial audio since it holds the earbuds in the correct position to deliver the sound with fidelity to its intended destination. All in all, it’s a sleek, modern, and fitting aesthetic, one that entices you into the design culture of Apple and its devices.

Battery Life: Stay Connected Longer

Battery life is five hours while listening time, which is much longer than the second and first-generation AirPods, and 30 hours total with the charging case. The case also has a MagSafe for quick charging rendering it easy to carry for those on the go.

Connectivity and Features: A Seamless Experience

With Bluetooth 5.0, the AirPods (3rd Generation) are kept connected and in sync with Apple devices. There are a handful of controls that are used to manage playback, take calls, and invoke Siri with the Help of Force Sensor controls. Through the Find My integration, you can track down your AirPods if you happen to lose them or place them somewhere unknown. The seamless integration with Apple devices is a big advantage — switching between devices is fast and easy, and high-quality listening is shared across your Apple devices.

Comparison with AirPods Pro

With the AirPods (3rd Generation), you’ll get a big leap forward over the models that came before it – but you won’t get an upgrade over AirPods Pro. The Pro version has active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode, neither of which are included on the new AirPods. They also have silicone ear tips to provide a better seal for noise isolation – with a caveat: if you don’t like the fit of them, the AirPods (3rd Generation) might fit you better. Still, in most every other way, the AirPods Pro version feels like a much more expensive device.

Who Should Buy the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)?

With a superior sound profile, more pronounced bass, longer battery life, truly wireless charging, sweat-resistance and ruggedness, the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) are the perfect match for those who opt for an iPhone as their primary device and prioritise sound quality, cancellation. They’re ideal for users who do not need any active noise-cancelling features whatsoever, and appreciate a lightweight, comfortable and stable fit.

Final Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade

The Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) are a quantum leap forward from their predecessors, and a great listen for iPhone users or anyone in need of a high-end cord-free experience at a competitive price. They’re a multitasking package with a well-balanced voice that favours neither sound quality, comfort, convenience nor battery life over the rest. Recommended to pretty-much everyone.