Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen)

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   15 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IPX4
weight 8.56g 10.6g
has no wires or cables
sweat resistance
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 11mm 11mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
POWER battery life 6hours 6hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 24hours
charge time 0.3hours 1hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY bluetooth version v5 v5.3
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a rating of IPX4 meaning that we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust) and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.04g True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless since it has no cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.



Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have ANC which makes both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds while preventing the device voice audio from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) similar in how loud their sound can get , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a full charge of 30 hours.

A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 6 hours It requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) takes 1 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 0.7 hours The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just place down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your device and charging case. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5.3, newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.



Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC as well.

Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have the find earbuds feature.

Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you locate them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge a device.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a control panel on them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your bag without a cover may easily damage them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.

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