Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
The AirPods (3rd generation) has better battery life than the second generation. After subjecting each pair of AirPods to a constant 75dB(SPL), we found that the AirPods (2nd generation) lasted 4 hours, 7 minutes, and the AirPods (3rd generation) has a battery life of 6 hours, 21 minutes.
You should only buy the AirPods Pro if you specifically prefer the fit and improved sound that in-ear silicone tips can provide, or need Active Noise Cancellation. It is also worth buying AirPods Pro if you could make good use of Apple's Conversation Boost accessibility feature.
The Apple AirPods Pro has vastly superior isolation performance. It has ANC, but even if it didn't, the passive isolation granted from the silicone ear tips is substantial. The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) doesn't block out much of anything—it doesn't seal to the ear canal, and it doesn't feature ANC.
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have three noise-control modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You can switch between them, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear.
It is worth noting that as compact earbuds, the sound quality of the standard AirPods will not match higher-end offerings such as the AirPods Max. Nevertheless, if you highly value sound quality, you will appreciate the better audio hardware of the third-generation AirPods.
Your AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), AirPods (3rd generation), MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), Lightning Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), and MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are water and sweat resistant, but they are not waterproof or sweatproof.
For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this.
The latest AirPods Gen 3 that was launched in 2021 may have a similar shape as AirPods Pro, however, it slightly narrower and taller. Thus, it is confirmed that both AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 cases are not compatible with each other.
If you are very demanding in audio quality and want the best possible immersion, the third-generation AirPods 3 may be your choice. They are also sweat and water-resistant, so they can be a good upgrade if you exercise frequently.
In quiet environments, AirPods 3 sound the same as the AirPods Pro with heavier bass. Also, having Spatial Audio support is a nice trick and it's great for listening to songs, watching Apple TV+ originals as well as relaxing with apps like Portal. The new form-factor of AirPods 3 is also another selling point.
With multiple charges in your case, you get more than 24 hours of listening time,13 or more than 18 hours of talk time. Your AirPods Pro can get up to 4.5 hours of listening time15 or up to 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
When the main question is, “Can you run with Airpods,” the answer is there's no absolute guarantee that they won't fall out during your run. Most people do find they fall out less frequently than other wireless headphones, but when your ears get sweaty, they get slippery.
These earbuds provide up to six hours of listening time on a full charge, which is an improvement over the previous version. The Airpods charging case can store enough charge for up to 30 hours of listening time, compared to around 24 hours for the previous version.
No, there is no safe way to use the AirPods Max in the shower. These headphones are even less water resistant than AirPods earphones, and do not have an ingress protection rating.
Conclusion: It's Best not to Wear AirPods in a Sauna
If your AirPods overheat, they will stop working. Heat and humidity may you the battery life to decrease temporarily and in extreme cases, your device might AirPods might break.
As soon as you have dropped your AirPods in water, try to retrieve them quickly. Dry them off immediately as best as you can, wiping away any visible moisture or droplets. Dry the AirPods case too if necessary. To avoid scratching the AirPods and the case, stick to a gentle microfiber cloth.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone we've tested. These premium and iconic buds are a good choice for anyone looking for the full Apple experience.
The standard AirPods fit some people's ears perfectly (some people have no trouble running with them), but plenty of people can't get a secure fit. If you're in the latter group, I highly recommend you spend the extra money on the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro design simply fits more ears than the original AirPods.
All three AirPod models have quick iPhone pairing and support hands-free “Hey Siri." But the more expensive models look and fit differently, and have more premium features (such as wireless charging and active noise-cancellation). And, of course, the more expensive models are going to sound better.
The third generation AirPods were released on October 26, 2021, and are priced at $179. In September 2022, Apple released a $169 variant with a charging case lacking Qi and MagSafe charging compatibility. The model numbers for the third-generation AirPods are A2565 and A2564.
AirPods typically last about 2-3 years before most users feel the need to replace them. This short lifespan is because of their lithium-ion batteries. AirPods have proven tough in several durability tests and have shown that they can withstand pressure.