Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates 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. Compared 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 better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.04g For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating 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 more advanced technology to actively cancel noise.
How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the devices ideal for flights and rush hour travels. Each work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, creating a sound covering that reduces background noise well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound made by the earbuds. 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 gets , many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device produces low recognizable frequencies 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)
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. 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) . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time.
The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging 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 charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods. 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 earbuds, you just place down on a compatible 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 earbuds has a low battery.
Its lights show the charging state of your device and charging case. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, these enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, 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. 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 that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar 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 iPhone.
If you intend 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.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy areas. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. 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) too have the find earbuds feature.
You can use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to locate them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support 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 coming from another device.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too 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 via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.