AirPods 3 Vs. AirPods Pro: Best Apple Earbuds To Buy?
The newest AirPods match so much of what the AirPods Pro have to offer that it is now harder to choose between the two, but there are differences.
The AirPods 3 come with a number of upgrades over the second-generation earbuds, including spatial audio. Previously, the standard AirPods were the only current earbud/headphone model from Apple that didn't feature spatial audio integration. While this might make it easier to avoid paying the higher price for the more expensive AirPods Pro, there still are some differences to be aware of.
The second-generation AirPods are the most affordable of Apple's earbud lineup, and its most basic. The earbuds don't have touch controls, comfy silicone tips, or any handy noise-canceling features. Even without those features, however, the earphones are still a very popular choice for on-the-go iOS users, thanks to a lower price, seamless integration and ease of use.
Apple's AirPods 3 come a lot closer to providing the premium experience offered by AirPods Pro. With a design that mimics the Pro version, the earbuds now have a shorter stem allowing for a wide charging case, and support for wireless charging. The latest AirPods also have a beefed-up driver and a high dynamic range amplifier for better sound than before, possibly bringing audio definition on par with the AirPods Pro. In addition, Apple has added Adaptive EQ and spatial audio to the new AirPods, bringing an immersive audio experience as well.
The lines have been blurred to such an extent that it's hard to tell the difference between the AirPods 3rd Generation and the AirPods Pro. Both earbuds feature spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, touch controls, and skin detection for seamless pausing and playing. The third-generation AirPods have an even better battery life than the second-generation, with six hours of playback and quick charging at one hour of battery for every 5 minutes charged in the case. Comparatively, the AirPods Pro only get around 4.5 hours of listening time on a single charge. However, it doesn't look like the new AirPods have any form of Active Noise Cancelation. This makes sense since these earbuds don't come with custom silicone tips, like the Pro. For many, that in itself could be enough of a reason to go with the Pro version. Noise cancellation comes in handy more often than not, and no matter how good on-the-go earbuds sound, not having noise cancelation can be a deal-breaker.
The AirPods Pro come in at $249, and will start shipping with a MagSafe Charging case from now on. The newer AirPods 3rd Generation cost $179. For some, that $70 difference will be worth it for noise cancellation alone. As far as the audio quality differences between the two, it's difficult to say. Since Apple has created a new driver for the latest AirPods, the sound quality could very well be on par with the AirPods Pro.
Source: Apple