Apple today updated the AirPods lineup with the AirPods 3, which feature an AirPods Pro-like design featuring shorter stems, spatial audio support, Adaptive EQ, longer battery life, HD voice quality for FaceTime, IPX4 water resistance, a MagSafe case, and more.
The new AirPods are priced starting at $179, which is $20 cheaper than the prior AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case, and Apple is also keeping the AirPods 2 around as a lower-cost option. Apple's full AirPods lineup now looks like this:
- AirPods 2 - $129
- AirPods 3 - $179
- AirPods Pro - $249
- AirPods Max - $549
It's worth noting that Apple has also introduced a new version of the AirPods Pro that come with a MagSafe Charging Case like the AirPods 3. The MagSafe Charging Case is able to quickly align with MagSafe charging pad options.
New AirPods Pro purchases will come with the MagSafe Charging Case, but for those wondering if you can get the case on a standalone basis, you can't. Apple does not plan to offer the MagSafe Charging Case on its own, so there will be no upgrade option. The standard AirPods Pro wireless charging case can be used with MagSafe anyway because it's a Qi-based wireless charging protocol. All that's missing is the magnetic alignment.
The AirPods 3 can be pre-ordered from Apple's website starting today, and are set to arrive to customers next week.
Top Rated Comments
AirPods Gen 1 (discontinued) - The kind everyone knows and is familiar with.
AirPods Gen 2 (still available) - Same exact style and case as Gen 1, but case has wireless charging.
AirPods Gen 3 (released today) - Same basic style and case as AirPods Pro. Has wireless charging. Has spatial audio. Better battery life than AirPods Pro. No silicone tips. No ANC / transparency.
Personally I quite like the look of these, the price premium for noise cancellation is quite big and I found normal AirPods more pleasant to wear when walking.