Relatively speaking, the AirPods (3rd generation) makes treble notes sound about twice as loud as they do through the second-gen AirPods. Meanwhile, the AirPods (2nd gen) boosts upper-bass notes (100Hz) to make them sound almost two times louder than the third-gen AirPods.
Apple AirPods 3
Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
The AirPods Pro 2 also have the advantage of a better fit. Apple's higher-end buds feature a set of swappable silicon tips that rest firmly inside of your ear, which feel more secure and comfortable than the all-plastic AirPods 3.
Reviews of the AirPods 3 have been largely positive, with users praising the improved fit that cuts down on outside noise and helps the AirPods to better stay in the ears. Weight distribution is better in the ear because of the updated angle, and many people have found them to be much more comfortable.
AirPods Pro provide ANC, including full noise cancellation and “transparency” mode. If choosing earbuds with ANC is a priority, the AirPods Pro are probably a better bet.
Apple AirPods Pro
If it keeps up the excellent work, the AirPods Pro is one of the best wireless earbuds in the world.
The AirPods 3 don't have active noise-cancelling, so you'll have to rely solely on the physical noise isolation provided by the buds themselves.
All three AirPod models have quick iPhone pairing and support hands-free “Hey Siri." But the more expensive models look and fit differently, and have more premium features (such as wireless charging and active noise-cancellation). And, of course, the more expensive models are going to sound better.
It's for you and totally worth it. If you are casual or light fitness motivated like jogging or walking or even treadmills, then Apple AirPods 2 or the 3rd generation is good for you. But if you need more features like spatial audio or dynamic head tracking then Apple AirPods 3 is the way to go.
Your AirPods (3rd generation) can get up to 6 hours of listening time (up to 5 hours with Spatial Audio enabled)9 or up to 4 hours of talk time on a single charge. If you charge your AirPods (3rd generation) for 5 minutes in their case, you get around 1 hour of listening time11 or around 1 hour of talk time.
Yes, the AirPods 3 are cheaper on paper but remember the Pro 2 do bring active noise-cancellation (ANC) and a different design and chipset to the party.
You should only buy the AirPods Pro if you specifically prefer the fit and improved sound that in-ear silicone tips can provide, or need Active Noise Cancellation. It is also worth buying AirPods Pro if you could make good use of Apple's Conversation Boost accessibility feature.
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have three noise-control modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You can switch between them, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear.
A liquid ingress protection rating of 4 means that the AirPods Pro 2 can withstand splashes of water from all directions for up to 10 minutes. The AirPods Pro 2 cannot, however, withstand being submerged in water, so you can't take them for a swim.
The AirPods 2 - or the original AirPods - don't have Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency Mode. They also don't support Apple's Spatial Audio technology or Personalised Spatial Audio, which the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and AirPods (3rd Generation) do.
With better battery, they'll last longer overall, and the advancements in ambient sound modes and controls are major usability upgrades that are worth the investment.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
We don't think they're worth getting though because they feel like a work-in-progress compared with the third-generation model. These aging earphones offer much weaker audio performance, don't feature a water-resistance rating, have short battery life, and lack spatial audio support.
AirPods typically last about 2-3 years before most users feel the need to replace them. This short lifespan is because of their lithium-ion batteries. AirPods have proven tough in several durability tests and have shown that they can withstand pressure.
What you can expect with AirPods (2nd generation) With multiple charges in your case, you get more than 24 hours of listening time,19 or up to 18 hours of talk time. Your AirPods can get up to 5 hours of listening time21 or 3 hours of talk time on a single charge.
Verdict. The AirPods 3 are a solid revamp of one of the most popular sets of true wireless earbuds, adopting a better design, improved sound, longer battery life and more advanced features such as spatial audio.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improves upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and features the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app.
The 3 have a longer continuous battery life, a better control scheme, and an IPX4 rating for water resistance.
It could be, for example, that the battery is nearly out of power or accessibility settings on your Mac or iPhone are limiting the volume. Also, if you're close to the edge of their Bluetooth range, performance may be erratic, and that could include your AirPods' volume being too low.
To skip back, triple-press the force sensor. To turn the volume up or down, say "Hey Siri," then say something like "Turn up the volume" or "Turn down the volume." Or drag the volume slider in the app that you're listening to, on the Lock Screen, or in Control Center.