Apple took advantage of the presentation of the iPhone 14 to also announce the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), the most complete new totally wireless Bluetooth headset in the company’s catalog. Apart from a notable price difference compared to other models (which has increased compared to the first generation), it has quite a few differences compared to the AirPods 3, so we have put them face to face to know their characteristics, differences and price.
Includes AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3
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specifications |
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) |
AirPods (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
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Dimensions and weight |
Helmet: 3.09 cm high x 2.18 cm wide, 2.4 cm thick and 5.3 grams in weight | Case: 4.52 cm high x 6.06 cm wide x 2.17 cm thick and 50.8 grams in weight |
Helmet: 3.08 cm high x 1.83 cm wide x 1.93 cm thick and 4.28 grams in weight | Case: 4.64 cm high x 5.44 cm wide x 2.14 cm thick and 37.91 grams in weight |
|
sound technology |
Apple custom high excursion transducer, custom high dynamic range amplifier, active noise cancellation, adaptive ambient sound mode, slot system pressure compensation, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and adaptive equalization |
Apple custom high excursion transducer, custom high dynamic range amplifier, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and adaptive equalization |
|
sensors |
Two beamforming microphones, an inward-facing microphone, skin sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, voice-detecting accelerometer, and touch control |
Two beamforming microphones, an inward-facing microphone, skin sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, voice-detecting accelerometer, and pressure sensor |
|
Chip |
Apple’s H2 chip for headphones and U1 chip in the MagSafe charging case |
H1 chip for headphones |
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controls |
Press once to play audio, pause audio or answer a call; double tap to skip to next song; triple tap to return to the previous song; press and hold to switch between active noise cancellation and adaptive ambient sound mode; swipe up or down to adjust volume and say “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, get directions, and more. |
Press once to play audio, pause audio or answer a call; double tap to skip to next song; triple tap to return to the previous song; long press to activate Siri, and say “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, get directions, etc. |
|
Sweat and water resistance |
IPX4 (headphones and case) |
IPX4 (headphones and case) |
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charging case |
Compatible with MagSafe charger, Apple Watch, Qi certification and Lightning charging |
Charge by Lightning and charge by MagSafe, Qi or Lightning in the model with MagSafe charging case |
|
Autonomy |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge (up to 5.5 hours if spatial audio is enabled), or up to 4.5 hours of talk time | With the case, you get up to 30 hours of audio playback or up to 24 hours of talk time. Five minutes of charging equals one hour of reading or talking |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge (up to five hours with Custom Spatial Audio), or up to 4 hours of talk time on a single charge | With the case, you get up to 30 hours of audio playback or up to 20 hours of talk time. Five minutes in the case equals one hour of play or talk |
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connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
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Compatibility |
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS, Mac models with the latest version of macOS and models of Apple TV with the latest version of macOS. latest version of tvOS |
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS, Mac models with the latest version of macOS and models of Apple TV with the latest version of macOS. latest version of tvOS |
|
Price |
299 dollars |
From 209 dollars |
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) with MagSafe charging case (2021)
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
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Design: AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and AirPods (3rd Gen) have a very similar design. The main difference is that the pros have silicone pads, an essential element for the active noise cancellation function to provide optimal results. “Regular” AirPods don’t have this feature, and Apple has decided not to equip them with ear tips, which makes their fit more universal. The cases are also very similar at first glance, but that of the Pro incorporates a loudspeaker in the lower part, as well as a strap hook On the side.
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sound technology: the active noise cancellation This is a highly sought-after feature among users of this type of headphones, and only the AirPods Pro have it, along with the ambient sound mode. This is related to the fact that the AirPods Pro have a design with cushions and the third generation does not.
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controls: One of the most useful new features of the AirPods Pro (3rd generation) is that they allow adjust the volume by swiping your finger on headphones. In this way, users don’t have to interact with iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watch to upload or download it.
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charging case: Apple took advantage of the September event to launch a new version of the AirPods (3rd generation) with only Lightning charging and another with Lightning charging plus MagSafe (strange thing given that these headphones were released in 2021 and integrated both technologies), and incidentally raise the price. The AirPods Pro case has Lightning and MagSafe, there are not two different models. The AirPods Pro case also has the search function and a built-in speaker to be able to locate them in case of loss.
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Autonomy: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation) have a similar autonomy, about six hours per charge. This is a noticeable increase over the first version of the AirPods Pro, as they gained an hour more battery life.
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connectivity: While the AirPods 3 have Bluetooth 5.0, the AirPods Pro 2 have Bluetooth 5.3, just like the iPhone 14. Among the new features of this version would be improved audio quality and longer battery life, as well as multi-stream audio. However, the company does not specify the improvements or new functions that this version incorporates.
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Price: Like other Apple products, these two wireless Bluetooth headphones they increased in price. The 3rd generation AirPods start at 209 dollars (219 dollars for the MagSafe charging case, originally 199 dollars) and the AirPods Pro have an RRP of 299 dollars (279 dollars the first version.
AirPods 3 VS AirPods Pro 2, which should you buy?
The new generation of AirPods Pro brings interesting news: Bluetooth 5.3, integrated volume controls, MagSafe charging box with speaker and Find function to locate it faster in case of loss, and more battery. In addition to the active noise cancellation, already present in the first generation and which is the main difference with the rest of the AirPods without cables.
The price difference between the models, although notable, is understandable. What many users will wonder is if spending 300 dollars on the second generation AirPods Pro is justified.. And that many stores still offer the first generation at almost 200 dollars can complicate their task.
If you want AirPods with active noise cancellation, you have no choice but to opt for the Pro model, but given the downward price trend that new Apple devices have undergone a few weeks after their launch, it wouldn’t hurt. wait for an offer to buy them cheaper. Or opt for Beats Studio Buds type headphones (119 dollars), which, although they do not have an H1 chip, communicate very well with the products of the bitten apple.
On the contrary, if you don’t need active noise cancellationwith the third generation AirPods we will save a good pinch and you can find them for less than 200 dollars with a MagSafe charging case in some stores.
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) with MagSafe charging case (2021)
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
