third-generation AirPods get a new design and more

Finally: Apple has unveiled the new AirPods! The third generation AirPods have a new design and improved functions. We tell you all about it.

AirPods 3 officially presented

The new AirPods were announced during the October 2021 event. It is the third generation of the entry-level AirPods, which are extremely popular. No new version of the more expensive (and advanced) AirPods Pro has been announced; Apple only comes with ‘normal’ AirPods, which have been significantly improved.

The 2021 AirPods have a new design, reminiscent of the AirPods Pro. You can especially see this in the stems that hang from your ears, because they are shorter. Although the AirPods and AirPods Pro are now very similar, there are still differences. For example, the new earbuds do not have active noise cancellation. This allows you to filter out the ambient noise. That feature remains exclusive to the more expensive Pro tips.

Spatial Audio and better battery life

The new AirPods also have Spatial Audio. This is a cool function with which you get surround sound on the earbuds, in other words: sound that seems to move around you. You may know this feature from the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Also nice: the third generation AirPods are sweat and water resistant. This allows you to use them perfectly when you are exercising, or, for example, walking or cycling through the rain. The charging case is also sweat and water resistant.

The battery life has also been improved. According to Apple, you can listen to music with the AirPods for six hours on a full charge. Also handy: if you only put the earbuds in the box for five minutes, you can listen to your favorite songs for another hour.

The charging case has enough energy to fully charge the AirPods four times before you have to refill the case yourself. In total you can listen to music for up to 30 hours. Speaking of charging: the box of the AirPods 3 supports both MagSafe and wireless charging via Qi. So you no longer have to fiddle with cables to provide your wireless earbuds with power.

AirPods essentially stay the same

Furthermore, the AirPods work in the same way as you are used to. They come in a small charging box, which you can use to power them. The charging case charges via a Lightning cable, which you can connect to the bottom.

Furthermore, the new AirPods work well with other Apple devices, so you can connect them super fast, for example. The AirPods work with all devices running iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8.1. These updates will be released next week.

AirPods (third generation) release and price

The new AirPods can be ordered from today and have a suggested retail price of 199 euros. The second generation AirPods (from 2019) remain available and are now cheaper: 149 euros.

You can now also buy the AirPods Pro with a MagSafe charging case for 279 euros. The release of the third generation AirPods will take place on tuesday 26 october.