Apple has unveiled the third iteration of its AirPods true wireless earbuds, nearly two years after launching a refreshed version that hit the shelves with wireless charging capability in tow. The new AirPods made their debut alongside the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models packing the new M1 Pro and M1 Max silicon, a new subscription tier of the Apple Music service, and fresh color options for the HomePod mini.
Leaks covering the third-gen AirPods have been making rounds of the internet for months now, predicting everything from the highlight features such as Spatial Audio support to key specs and design renders as well. Some of those leaks have actually turned out to be true. And based on the official press material, it appears that the two-year wait for a new generation AirPods was worth it.
Starting with the design, the 2021 AirPods borrow their looks from the AirPods Pro, thanks to a more rounded earpiece profile and shorter stem. There is no space for ear tips on the new AirPods, but going by their design, it appears that they will provide a better in-ear fit than their predecessor. The charging case also mimics the look of the AirPods Pro’s case. In addition, Apple has fitted a new skin-detect sensor inside the third-generation AirPods that recognizes when the earbuds are in the ear or outside and accordingly handles playback. The new AirPods also borrow the Force sensor from its Pro sibling for controlling music and phone calls via gestures. The previous generation AirPods miss out on the Force sensor.
New Features And Improved Design At A Lower Price
Both the second and third-generation AirPods employ the same in-house H1 chip. Apple has also equipped the new AirPods with a custom high-dynamic-range amplifier and a high-excursion Apple driver as well, both of which are missing from the second-gen AirPods. However, it’s the features where the AirPods refresh truly takes a giant leap. To start, the 2021 AirPods bring support for Spatial Audio with dynamic head-tracking, offering users an immersive surround sound experience when watching Dolby Atmos content. This trick also comes into play during video calls for a directionally aware listening experience.
The next upgrade arriving with the third-generation AirPods is Adaptive EQ, a feature that automatically performs sound tuning based on how snug the fit of earbuds is, thanks to the power of computational audio. Plus, the latest Apple offering is also sweat and water-resistant, thanks to an IPX4 rating akin to the AirPods Pro that is missing from the 2019 AirPods. Charging and battery life is another area where the new AirPods take the lead. Compared to the five-hour battery life of the second-gen AirPods (24 hours with the charging case), the 2021 AirPods offer six hours of music playback on a single charge, while the charging case takes that number to 30 hours. Another neat upgrade is that the charging case is now MagSafe compatible, which means users can use MagSafe-certified charging pucks and pads to juice up the new earbuds.
For yet another year, Apple has shied away from experimenting with bright colors that are splashed across the iPhone 13, 12, and 11 series. Just like the 2019 AirPods, the 2021 version also comes in a single white color. However, Apple is offering free engravings that users can take advantage of to get their earbuds personalized without paying any extra charge for it. Coming to the pricing and availability part, the third-gen AirPods cost $179 and are now up for pre-order, with October 26 earmarked as the release date. The AirPods (2019), on the other hand, will now be available at a revised price of $129 from the Apple Store and authorized retail partners.
Source: Apple