AirPods 3rd Generation: The Good and Bad of Apple's Hearing Aids

What was then the iPod a few years ago in terms of user need, is now for AirPods, the wireless headphones of Apple.

It doesn't matter if the user is from iPhone or Android, those devices work for many others.

New design, longer autonomy, spatial audio, skin sensor, IPX4 water resistance. Undoubtedly, there are many novelties that have been tested in a new review of Apple's AirPods 3.

Technical sheet

Lo bueno

Sound quality

In general, AirPods 3 sound better than AirPods 2 on all frequencies, their sound is much cleaner and more vivid, as well as the bass more solid and clear. Distortion is non-existent, even at full volume.

In general, AirPods have consistently delivered a very balanced sound, with very solid mids and highs, where voices are heard clearly and clearly at all times. Nothing has changed in this regard, so the jump on the bass is very much appreciated. For example, listening to Get Lucky by Daft Punk with the headphones will be noticeable immediately.

And despite their open construction, low frequencies are very present; they do not reach the strength of closed models (such as Airpods Pro), but it is not far from that either.

Spatial Audio

A feature that through the use of 3D audio algorithms and directional filters that adjust in real time the frequencies and intensity of the same that each ear receives, creates the sensation of 360-degree surround sound.

With the help of the accelerometer and gyroscope, the system can detect the movement of the head compared to the audio source; or what is the same, if the head is turned or the source source is moved, the sound is adjusted to a new position.

Head tracking is really curious and works well, although it is more or less obvious depending on the type of content and source; it is more appreciated with movies and series than with music, especially with dialogues that seem to come straight out of the actors' mouths. It is also very noticeable with WhatsApp, Instagram or FaceTime calls.

autonomy

The battery life when the headphones are fully charged reaches 6 hours, although in the tests it managed to withstand 6 hours and 37 minutes with volume between 50% and 75%, continuously. This, compared to the 4.5 hours of AirPods Pro, is an important step forward for Apple.

If you had the four full additional charges that this case requires, you can achieve full autonomy in 30 hours. It is compatible with Qi wireless charging and incorporates, as a novelty, compatibility with the Apple MagSafe wireless charger.

They also have a fast charging system that provides up to an hour of autonomy, keeping the headset in the box for only 5 minutes.

Lo malo

Ergonomics

The AirPods 3 has updated the shape with a more rounded design: some users find it better, others worse. Each user should try a pair of AirPods 3 before buying them, as they cannot change their setting either and there are fewer third-party accessories available now.

In the tests carried out, the hearing aids were able to endure an hour of training in the gym (a full week) without any problems; they did not fall out, but if they were out of adjustment at the time of doing sit-ups, for example.

As was well mentioned at the beginning of the article, hearing aids are waterproof, but unfortunately the more sweat in the ear, the more likely they are to fall out without making such a sudden effort.

New controls, no option to increase or lower the volume

Regarding the AirPods 2, they abandoned the touch control system to switch to the pressure system using the 'pinch' gesture that could be seen in the Pro version:

- One touch to play, pause or pick up/end calls.

- Two keystrokes in a row to advance the song.

- Three to go back from song.

- Long press to summon Siri

They work well and are more precise, with AirPods 2 sometimes the keys did not respond, although in a personal way it is not a pleasant change; the touchscreen system is much more comfortable, against the pinch gesture that even makes it less natural and also causes the hearing aid to move a little with each interaction.

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