Adam Kos It's been a really long wait, but yesterday we finally got to see the 3rd generation AirPods. This is a combination of the 2nd generation with AirPods Pro, when these headphones are between the two mentioned models in terms of price, design and included functions. So if you want a golden mean, this is the clear choice.
Although the new product takes its chunky construction from the 2nd generation of AirPods, it has more in common with the Pro model. It thus received surround sound, resistance to sweat and water, which meet the IPX4 specification according to the IEC 60529 standard, and control using a pressure sensor. They are only available in white.
It all depends on the price. The 2nd generation AirPods are currently priced 3 CZK, the novelty in the form of the 3rd generation will be released on 4 990 $ and you pay for AirPods Pro 7 290 $. And from this also come the functions that individual models can do. The entire trio of headphones is equipped with the same H1 chip, they have Bluetooth 5.0, an accelerometer for motion and speech detection along with two microphones with a beamforming function. Automatic switching between products is a matter of course, but their common features end there.
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Vratislav Holub Audio technology and sensors
The novelty compared to the 2nd generation offers adaptive equalization, includes a special Apple driver with a highly movable membrane, an amplifier with a high dynamic range, and above all, surround sound with dynamic head position sensing. AirPods Pro add active noise cancellation, permeability mode, and a system of pressure-equalizing vents. And it is logical, because this is determined by their plug design. Ear buds simply cannot seal the ear in such a way that active noise cancellation makes sense in them.
Gallery
The basic AirPods have two optical sensors, the novelty has a skin contact sensor and, in addition, a pressure sensor, which was taken over from the Pro model and which you use to control the headphones. Press once to turn on and stop playback or answer a call, double press to skip forward and triple to skip back. In this regard, AirPods Pro can still switch between active noise cancellation and permeability mode with a long hold. AirPods Pro, however, do not have a contact sensor with the skin, but "only" two unspecified optical sensors, like the 2nd generation of AirPods.
Battery life
Regarding the microphones, the 3rd generation and the Pro model have an inward-facing microphone compared to the 2nd generation of AirPods, and they can resist sweat and water, which the basic model cannot. However, only AirPods Pro can handle amplifying the conversation in case of hearing loss of their user. The battery life differs a lot, in which the novelty clearly leads above the others.
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AirPods 2nd generation:
- Up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge
- Up to 3 hours of talk time on a single charge
- More than 24 hours of listening time and 18 hours of talk time with the charging case
- Charges up to 15 hours of listening or up to 3 hours of talk time in the charging case in 2 minutes
AirPods 3nd generation:
- Up to 6 hours of listening on one charge
- Up to 5 hours with surround sound on
- Up to 4 hours of talk time on one charge
- With MagSafe charging case up to 30 hours of listening and 20 hours of talk time
- In 5 minutes, it is charged in the charging case for about an hour of listening or an hour of talk
AirPods Pro:
- Up to 4,5 hours of listening time on a single charge
- Up to 5 hours with active noise cancellation and throughput mode off
- Up to 3,5 hours of talk time on a single charge
- More than 24 hours of listening time and 18 hours of talk time with the MagSafe charging case
- In 5 minutes, it is charged in the charging case for about an hour of listening or an hour of talk
Which one to choose?
The 2nd generation AirPods are iconic headphones that are good for phone calls, but when it comes to listening to music, you have to reckon with their limits. If you're not a passionate and demanding listener, you won't mind. The 3rd generation AirPods are certainly a better solution for listening to music and watching movies, thanks to the fact that they provide surround sound. However, it is still necessary to take into account that they are seeds, not plugs. The best headphones are, of course, AirPods Pro, but on the other hand, their price is quite high, which is why the 3rd generation of AirPods may seem like an ideal choice. However, if you are a demanding listener, there is nothing for you to solve and the Pro model is for you.
- Newly introduced Apple products can be purchased, for example, at Alge, Mobile Emergency or u iStores
Since Airpods Pro can be bought for a price of around 5-6 thousand, the "PRO" is the clear choice
Here the author forgot that the listed price of Airpods 2nd generation is without wireless charging case, only with wired charging. It costs over 4,5 thousand with a wireless charging case. Unfortunately, Apple has already withdrawn them from the menu, but they are still available in stores. In my opinion, the new headphones are definitely not closer to the Pro version, because they lack the essential functions. In short, they are just improved classic Airpods, although with controls from the Pro version. And with that control, I'm afraid that not everyone will be more satisfied with it. Resp. it's absolutely certain that they won't, because already after the arrival of Airpods Pro, some expressed their dislike for the new control method. But that is about the taste of each individual.
I needed to get my bearings quickly in order to buy a present. Thanks a lot for this article and great overview.