Air Pod Pro Vs Air Pod

AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: what's the difference? Which are improve?

(Image credit: Apple tree)

After months of speculation, Apple finally revealed its next-generation wireless earbuds, the Apple AirPods 3, at the end of last year. But how do they compare to the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro that launched back in 2019?

The new AirPods 3 might sit below the AirPods Pro in Apple's wireless earbuds line-upwardly, simply the newer buds aren't curt of interesting features. So, which AirPods are best for you? Observe out as we pit the new AirPods 3 against the AirPods Pro in a no-holds-barred head-to-head...

Read the full AirPods 3 review
Read the total AirPods Pro review

Apple AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: price

Apple AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: which are better? — (Paradigm credit: Time to come)

The new AirPods three cost £169 ($179, AU$279), which is considerably less than the AirPods Pro's £249 ($249, AU$399) and Apple'due south showtime over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, which cost £549 ($549, AU$899).

The Apple tree AirPods Pro launched in Oct 2019 for £249/$249/AU$399 only the price fluctuates throughout the year, especially effectually the fourth dimension of large sales events such as Blackness Friday.

You'll notice the current best prices for the AirPod Pro below, but if yous're on a budget, the AirPods iii are almost certainly going to exist the cheaper headphones.

**Winner: AirPods 3**

Apple AirPods iii vs AirPods Pro: battery life

At that place's no point cutting the cord if the bombardment of your wireless headphones doesn't final a decent length of fourth dimension.

The AirPods Pro claim 4.five hours playback plus another 19 hours from the charging instance. You lot can clasp even more life out of the battery if you're prepared to disable dissonance-cancelling.

The AirPods 3 accept advantage of new battery technology to improve on this. They offer 30 hours playback (vi from the buds; 24 from the case) only, of course, no noise-cancelling.

**Winner: AirPods 3**

Apple AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: design

There was talk of the AirPods three would be called the 'AirPods Pro Lite', and you lot can see why. Apple's newest buds have their cue from the AirPods Pro, with smaller stems, force sensors, and earpieces angled to burn down directly into your earholes.

The AirPods Pro are exceptionally comfortable and come with three pairs of elliptical tips in the box. Nosotros adopt the selection of interchangeable silicons tips for their secure fit and seal. If you go for the AirPods 3, you lot'll have to hope they're a snug fit right from the off.

The newer buds become the same IPX4 rating every bit the AirPods Pro, significant they are sweat- and water-resistant. As for weight, the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro are slightly heavier (5.4g per bud vs 4g per bud).

The AirPods 3 charging instance looks similar to the one y'all go with the original AirPods, rather than the more than rectangular case provided with the AirPods Pro. Upgrades include a coloured LED on the front telling you how much accuse is left. MagSafe wireless charging is now supported, also.

**Winner: draw**

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Apple AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: features

The AirPods Pro have (extremely constructive) active racket cancellation that is continuously adjusted 200 times per 2d. Noises such equally the rumble of a railroad train are more or less completely erased, while office chatter is reduced to a whisper. The cheaper AirPods three don't accept agile noise-cancelling, so you'll have to rely on the noise isolation provided by the buds themselves.

Plenty of AirPods Pro features have been carried over to the AirPods 3, though, including full support for Apple tree spatial sound with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head-tracking, which should offer discerning listeners the aforementioned immersive feel. Do the AirPods 3 sound as "rich and full" as the AirPods Pro? We'll reply that in a moment.

The AirPods 3 also get Adaptive EQ, which was introduced with the AirPods Pro and means the headphones volition tune the sound they produce in real-time based on how they fit in the ear. Other features include Audio Sharing (which allows an Apple device'south sound to exist played simultaneously through two sets of AirPods) and Auto-pause, significant the buds can detect whether or not they are in your ears.

If yous're wondering if the newer AirPods (third generation) avowal a faster processor, they don't. They use the exact aforementioned Apple H1 chip equally the AirPods Pro. I bang-up feature the new AirPods lack is Conversation Boost, which uses the axle-forming microphones on the ‌AirPods Pro‌ to boost the book of a person talking in front of you.

All in all, the AirPods 3 offer similar tech to the AirPods Pro. You decision volition probable come down to whether or not you want noise-cancelling buds.

**Winner: draw**

Apple tree AirPods three vs AirPods Pro: sound quality

The AirPods 3 certainly sound similar to their predecessor where sonic character is concerned, merely the newer buds step things upwards with a new "low distortion" driver, tuned to produce an easygoing balance that doesn't unduly favour any office of the frequency spectrum. Audio is slightly fuller in general, with a gutsier bottom-end that gives basslines a sharper kick.

Despite the improvements, the pricier AirPods Pro are still the best-sounding AirPods. They offering more space and dynamic expression making for a more compelling delivery. Want an fifty-fifty ameliorate sound? Consider the noise-cancelling Sony WF-1000XM4. The electric current grade leaders are wonderfully musical and significantly subtler in their delivery.

**Winner: AirPods Pro**

Apple AirPods iii vs AirPods Pro: verdict

The AirPods three are a keen option for those who aren't bothered about active noise-cancellation. With better battery life than the AirPods Pro and support for Spatial Audio, the nicely-priced AirPods 3 volition surely become Apple's best-selling true wireless earbuds.

Those who prioritise active dissonance-counterfoil technology, or who simply aren't concerned about the rather big price difference, will exist instantly drawn to the AirPods Pro. Apple's most expensive buds evangelize high-terminate racket-cancelling technology and a seamless experience that makes them only every bit smart as the AirPods iii.

Before yous splash the cash, it's worth checking our choice of the all-time wireless earbuds deals around. Also, keep in heed that Apple could launch the AirPods Pro two within the side by side 12 months, prompting some of the best AirPods Pro deals withal.

MORE:

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