The new AirPods 3 are a long-awaited and, most importantly, big update to the hugely popular AirPods 2. The new earphones pack a host of new features (like MagSafe charging or skin detection sensors) and showcase a hybrid design that integrates the AirPods Pro look and AirPods 2. In addition, the new product has received what Apple fans have been demanding for so long since the appearance of AirPods 2 on store shelves: extended battery life and airpods price in pakistan. All these innovations for the “budget” AirPods allowed the new product to partially recapture the territory that the AirPods Pro already occupied.
AirPods Pro, on the other hand, delivers adaptive audio, ear-cushion customization, and powerful active noise cancellation in the smallest AirPods design. The feature set of these headphones continues to grow with every new iOS update. AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro have so much in common that for many it will really become a stumbling block as to which of the two headphones to buy. Comparing these gadgets will help anyone trying to decide between Apple’s latest wireless earbuds and their most premium model.
Price:
As a rule, newer Apple products also have a higher retail price, but AirPods 3 turned out to be quite loyal in this regard: their cost is 15,490 rubles. For comparison, AirPods 2 released in 2019 was offered at a price of 16,990 rubles (complete with a case that supports wireless charging). Thus, the device turned out to be slightly cheaper than its predecessor, but it has more attractive and modern functionality on board.
Design:
In terms of design, the AirPods 3 are almost identical to the AirPods Pro, minus the missing ear cups and slightly longer stems. For the most part, similar elements are used, including a black speaker and microphone grilles, an ergonomic sound port, a force sensor recess, and even IPX4 moisture protection. And in general, the pure white plastic case has not undergone any changes, it is still quite easily soiled and requires careful handling so that it does not show countless scratches of various sizes. By the way, the charging cases are also identical. The only real difference is size, and surprisingly, the AirPods 3 case is smaller. If you have to choose, smaller headphones look more aesthetically pleasing.
Comfort and ergonomics:
iPhone users didn’t realize the importance of earbuds until they used AirPods Pro. The better sealing that comes with these earphones makes for a safer and more comfortable fit. AirPods Pro passively blocks out noise with ear cushions so you can enjoy full, clear sound. Apple has even gone so far as to develop an earplug fit test that analyzes your ears to form the best tips for optimal fit.
As for the AirPods 3, everything has remained at about the same level as in the previous generation. Apple’s decision to give the new headphones the same in-ear design as its predecessor is not surprising, otherwise, it would dramatically blur the lines between the two gadgets. While the ergonomic shape allows the AirPods 3 to fit snugly in your ear and snugly against the canal, the AirPods Pro does it a little better.
Controls:
Looking ahead, we’ll immediately say that in this aspect, none of the models has any advantages – they completely repeat each other and make using headphones extremely simple and convenient. And now in more detail. The force sensor is one of Apple’s most underrated innovations, and luckily for users, it’s a key interaction method in both AirPods. It supports single-tap, multi-tap, and press-and-hold gestures, and provides reliable tactility to ensure users follow their intended commands.
But it’s not just the force sensor. Each model is equipped with special sensors that control the position of the gadget in space to automatically pause and start playback when you remove the headphones from your ears. AirPods Pro uses dual optical sensors for this, while AirPods 3 uses brand-new skin detection sensors to perform exactly the same function. “Hey, Siri” is another super convenient way to control your AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro that performs voice commands flawlessly. It’s great that Cupertino allows you to use other interesting features using Siri, for example, to have incoming notifications sent straight to the user’s ear. The functionality is not limited to this, but when using the Apple Watch it becomes even wider.
Sound quality:
Industry experts have cited Adaptive EQ as one of the top features and biggest audio features of the AirPods Pro. And the new AirPods 3 got it too. However, the AirPods 3 have received a hardware upgrade in the form of a low distortion driver that delivers powerful bass and crisp, clear highs. Perhaps the difference in sound quality that this new equipment provides will not be heard by the average listener, but avid music lovers or people with sophisticated ears will understand exactly what is at stake. Spatial Sound is another important technology that creates 360-degree sound using special algorithms and directional sound filters, tuning specific frequencies for each ear. And she, too, ended up aboard the more affordable AirPods 3. Content on the AirPods Pro feels more engaging, pure thanks to noise cancellation and the same earcups that block outside sounds.
Peculiarities:
Improved Latitude will allow you to track the location of any of the specified models of AirPods if they are close to i-devices or MacBook. Automatic Switching instantly switches AirPods Pro or AirPods 3 from one Apple device to another, as long as they’re linked to the same iCloud account. Live Listen is also available on AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, which activates your iPhone’s microphone and sends the sounds you pick up directly to your headphones.
Now it’s time to take a look at the two most important features that AirPods 3 didn’t have: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode. In short, the duo performs incredibly well on the AirPods Pro. ANC eliminates a huge amount of ambient noise across the entire frequency spectrum, while Transparency mode lets you hear more background noise to hear your surroundings more clearly. Another exclusive, but highly targeted feature of the AirPods Pro is Conversation Boost, noise reduction for users who have hearing problems.
Connection quality:
AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro are the best headphones with a microphone for voice and video calls today. Each of these models is equipped with beamforming microphones that do the double job of loud and clear calls and minimizing background noise. Apple added acoustic mesh to the AirPods 3 microphones to reduce wind noise and added the AAC-ELD speech codec for Full HD voice quality on FaceTime calls. However, AirPods Pro’s noise cancellation blocks out a bit more noise.
Battery life:
AirPods 3 have a total playtime of 30 hours (6 hours on a single charge) using the charging case, while AirPods Pro is rated for 24 hours (4.5 to 5 hours on a single charge). The extra hour is a huge benefit, especially for those who use AirPods a lot. Fast charging is the same for all current Apple wireless earbuds (5 minutes of charge = 1 hour of use). Both models come with MagSafe wireless charging cases, although neither supports MagSafe reverse charging for iPhones.
Verdict:
In conclusion, we can say that AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro are really very close to each other in terms of functionality. AirPods Pro still lives up to its name and can still offer exclusive features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Transparent Mode, and Ear Cushion Design. In a good way, these are the only differences that can tip the scales in favor of AirPods Pro.
On the other hand, the presence of almost all the main functions of an expensive “brother” in a more affordable headphone model makes AirPods 3 an extremely tempting offer. In addition, do not forget about the battery life – this is a clear advantage of the “budget” AirPods. Yes, the AirPods 3 may be a notch below the premium Pro gadget, but that doesn’t make it any less of a fantastic product. And remembering that AirPods 3 is also much cheaper, most users will quite easily and without much regret turn a blind eye to some of the advantages of AirPods Pro, and calling such a choice wrong simply does not turn their tongue.