At its training event, Apple unveiled its new wireless headphones AirPods 3in addition to a new Apple Music subscription at a discounted price, new colors for the HomePod mini, new high-performance M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and the highly anticipated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Most of the keynote focused on the announcements of the new MacBooks, but Cupertino took the opportunity to showcase its new generation of wireless headphones, two and a half years after the AirPods 2. And as Apple’s previous review of Apple’s genuine wireless headphones was just an update, the AirPods 3 are so much more.
As expected, the first significant change is in the format: the long straight shaft that characterized the two previous versions disappears, giving way to thinner and slightly curved temples.
Contrary to what some have suggested, the new AirPods remain a button-type headset that holds the housing at the entrance of the ear canal, but still not true in-ear headphones, with silicone rubber pads. They are also resistant to water and sweat.
The AirPods 3 still don’t offer passive isolation or active noise cancellation, limited to the Pro version of the headphones.
Among the new features introduced are: Spatial audio which we find on AirPods Pro and Max. Spatial audio can be interpreted in several ways, but technically we can say that this technology picks up 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos signals and applies directional audio filters, adjusting the frequencies that each ear hears so that the sounds are practically in 3D. space as if the sounds were coming from everywhere.
Unlike AirPods 2, AirPods 3 detect your body’s movements and adapt the sound in real time to the room and position of your head.
Improved autonomy
There is also progress in the area of autonomy. The company has announced 6 hours of autonomy in use, which with the case can go up to 30 hours of battery life. Also note that the case is now compatible with MagSafe.
Apple also indicates that it has integrated “new transducers” for higher quality. However, for the Bluetooth audio codecs, you’ll have to settle for the only two supported by the brand’s iPhone, the AAC and the SBC.
Price
The AirPods 3 will be available only in white at a price of $179 (199 euros in Italy). Note that AirPods 2 will remain available for $129.