AirPods 2 Vs 3 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Earbuds, Headphone

Airpods 2 & Airpods 3 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as sound quality, performance, features, design, & connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Airpods 3 rather than Airpods 2.

Why Do I Recommend Apple Airpods 3

  • The AirPods 3 introduces Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, creating an immersive listening experience that simulates surround sound, while the AirPods 2 does not have this feature.
  • It also includes an Adaptive EQ that automatically adjusts the sound based on how the AirPods fit in your ears. The 2nd Gen AirPods lack these advanced Adaptive EQ features.
  • The AirPods 3 features a force sensor on the stem, allowing for more precise control of playback and other functions. The 2nd Gen uses less precise tap controls.
  • AirPods 3 provides up to 6 hours of listening time, compared to 5 hours for the AirPods 2, which is ideal for extended travel or long listening sessions.
  • Additionally, the charging case provides up to 30 hours of total listening time, compared to 24 hours with the 2nd Gen’s charging case. So you can enjoy your music and calls for longer without recharge.
  • It has an IPX4 rating, making it resistant to water and sweat for workouts and outdoor activities, compared to the 2nd Gen AirPods, which do not have any water resistance rating.
  • The AirPods 3’s charging case supports MagSafe and wireless charging as standard, offering more flexibility. In contrast, the 2nd Gen’s charging case supports wired charging.
  • It has a more compact and ergonomic design with a shorter stem than the 2nd Gen, which retains the original longer stem design. The new design is intended to fit a more comprehensive range of ears better.

Maybe the AirPods 2 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the AirPods 3. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

Feature AirPods 3 AirPods 2
Design Shorter, contoured stems Longer stems
Audio Quality Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking Standard audio
Driver Technology Custom high-excursion Apple driver Custom Apple driver
Microphone Inward-facing microphone; beamforming microphones Dual beamforming microphones
Water and Sweat Resistance Yes (IPX4 rating) for earbuds and charging case No water or sweat resistance
Battery Life – Earbuds Up to 6 hours of listening time (5 hours with Spatial Audio) Up to 5 hours of listening time
Battery Life – Talk Time Up to 4 hours of talk time Up to 3 hours of talk time
Battery Life – Total with Case Up to 30 hours of listening time, 20 hours talk time Up to 24 hours of listening time, 18 hours talk time
Charging Case MagSafe, Lightning port Lightning port; 
Charging Speed 5 minutes in case provides around 1 hour 15 minutes in case provides up to 3 hours
Controls Force sensor on stem for playback, calls, and Siri Double-tap controls for playback and Siri
Ear Fit Contoured design for better fit and comfort Classic universal fit
Chipset H1 Chip with improved battery management and Bluetooth 5.0 H1 Chip with Bluetooth 5.0
Find My Integration Improved with proximity view and separation alerts Basic Find My support without advanced tracking
Compatibility Compatible with all devices running iOS 15 or later Compatible with devices running iOS 12.2 or later
Price Check Airpods 3 Price Check Airpods 2 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Bluetooth Technology: Both the 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen AirPods use Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which provides a stable and efficient wireless connection. Bluetooth 5.0 offers improved range, speed, and data transfer efficiency over previous versions, ensuring a reliable connection with minimal latency.
  • Chipset (H1 Chip): Both models are equipped with the H1 chip, which is designed specifically for headphones. The H1 chip provides faster and more stable wireless connectivity, supports hands-free “Hey Siri” activation, and improves battery efficiency. This chip also reduces latency for gaming and enhances overall performance.
  • Siri Integration: Both the 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen AirPods support hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality. This feature allows users to activate Siri using their voice without needing to touch the AirPods, providing a convenient way to control music, make calls, and get information.
  • Auto-Pairing with Apple Devices: Both generations offer seamless pairing with Apple devices. When you open the AirPods case near an Apple device, a pop-up automatically appears on the screen to connect. This feature simplifies the initial setup and pairing process, enhancing user convenience.
  • Automatic Device Switching: Both AirPods models support automatic device switching, allowing them to seamlessly switch between devices signed in with the same Apple ID. For example, if you’re listening to music on your iPhone and then start playing a video on your iPad, the AirPods will automatically switch to the iPad.
  • Color: Both the 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen AirPods are available only in white, maintaining Apple’s classic color choice for AirPods. This uniformity helps maintain the brand’s aesthetic consistency across different product generations.
  • Case Design: Both models come with a compact, pocket-friendly charging case that makes them easy to carry around. The small and lightweight design of the case ensures that it can be conveniently stored in a pocket or bag, making it ideal for on-the-go use.
  • Call Quality: Both AirPods generations provide clear call quality with dual beamforming microphones. These microphones help focus on the user’s voice while filtering out background noise, ensuring clear communication during calls and when using voice commands.
  • Charging Port: Both models use a Lightning port for wired charging, making them compatible with the standard Apple charging cables used for iPhones and other Apple devices. This consistency allows users to charge their AirPods and other Apple devices using the same cable.
  • Compatibility: Both the 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen AirPods are compatible with a wide range of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. This broad compatibility ensures that users can enjoy a seamless experience across their Apple ecosystem.
  • Battery Indicator: Both charging cases have an LED indicator that shows the charging status of the AirPods and the case itself. The indicator is located on the front of the case for the 3rd Gen and inside the case for the 2nd Gen. This feature allows users to quickly check the battery status at a glance.

Common Features

Feature AirPods 3 AirPods 2
Bluetooth Technology Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0
Chipset H1 Chip H1 Chip
Siri Integration “Hey Siri” voice-activated “Hey Siri” voice-activated
Auto-Pairing Seamless pairing with Apple devices Seamless pairing with Apple devices
Device Switching Automatic device switching Automatic device switching
Color Available in White Available in White
Case Design Compact design, pocket-friendly size Compact design, pocket-friendly size
Call Quality Clear call quality with dual beamforming microphones Clear call quality with dual beamforming microphones
Charging Port Lightning port for wired charging Lightning port for wired charging
Compatibility Compatible with a range of Apple devices Compatible with a range of Apple devices
Battery Indicator LED indicator on the charging case LED indicator on the charging case
Price Check Airpods 3 Price Check Airpods 2 Price

FAQ

Q: What are the main design differences between the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen)?
A: The AirPods (3rd Gen) have a shorter stem and a more rounded earbud design compared to the AirPods (2nd Gen), which have a longer stem and the classic AirPods shape. The 3rd Gen design is contoured to provide a better fit and comfort for a wider range of ears.

Q: Do both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) support Bluetooth 5.0?
A: Yes, both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) support Bluetooth 5.0. This ensures a stable wireless connection with low latency and efficient power consumption for both models.

Q: Are both generations of AirPods compatible with the same Apple devices?
A: Yes, both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) are compatible with a range of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. However, the AirPods (3rd Gen) require devices running iOS 15 or later, while the AirPods (2nd Gen) are compatible with devices running iOS 12.2 or later.

Q: Can both AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) be charged using the same cable?
A: Yes, both models use a Lightning port for wired charging, so you can use the same Apple Lightning cable for charging both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen). The AirPods (3rd Gen) case also supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.

Q: Do the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) have the same battery life?
A: No, the AirPods (3rd Gen) offer a longer battery life with up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. In comparison, the AirPods (2nd Gen) provide up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case.

Q: What chip do the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) use, and what does it do?
A: Both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) are equipped with the H1 chip. The H1 chip enables faster and more stable wireless connectivity, supports hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality, improves battery efficiency, and reduces latency for a better overall audio experience.

Q: Do both models support hands-free “Hey Siri” activation?
A: Yes, both the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) support hands-free “Hey Siri” activation. This allows users to activate Siri using their voice without needing to touch the AirPods.

Q: Is the call quality the same on both AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen)?
A: Both models offer clear call quality with dual beamforming microphones that help focus on the user’s voice and reduce background noise. However, the AirPods (3rd Gen) may provide slightly better call quality due to additional enhancements like the inward-facing microphone.

Q: Are the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen) water-resistant?
A: Only the AirPods (3rd Gen) are water and sweat-resistant with an IPX4 rating, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. The AirPods (2nd Gen) do not have a water resistance rating.

Q: How do the controls differ between the AirPods (3rd Gen) and AirPods (2nd Gen)?
A: The AirPods (3rd Gen) use a force sensor on the stem for playback control, calls, and Siri, offering more precise control. The AirPods (2nd Gen) use double-tap controls for these functions, which can be less reliable and more prone to accidental activation.

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