What technical characteristics for AirPods 3? Our opinion

Audio

The third generation of AirPods features Spatial Audio technology, on which everyone can have an opinion given that not all ears really know the difference. AirPods 3 also have adaptive equalization. Still for the technical audio characteristics, Apple also tells us that its AirPods 3 integrate a “custom designed high excursion transducer“.

AirPods 2021 review (audio technical characteristics): no active noise reduction, a shame when we know that others such asthe AirPods Max wireless headsetare entitled to it.

Integrated sensors

AirPods (3rd generation) pair thanks to the integration of a low energy Bluetooth sensor. It is also this solution that makes it easy to find them in the event of loss, thanks to the proprietary Locate app. The official technical characteristics of the AirPods 3 also specify that the headphones have two accelerometers. One is dedicated to motion detection, while the second allows voice recognition (?).

Obviously, there are also microphones on the AirPods 2021. In order to call Siri and make calls.

AirPods 2021 review (sensor technical characteristics): pairing in seconds, what more could you ask for?

Performances

The technical characteristics of the AirPods 3 mention an H1 chip. This is a proprietary processor, assembled by TSMC in Asia. It's the same room as inthe AirPods Pro, which are a more premium version of the duo.

AirPods 2021 review (CPU technical characteristics): an SoC which is starting to date a little, but which remains very fast. Nothing to complain about, then.

Recharge third generation AirPods

The third generation AirPods do not come with a USB-C port. However, they are recharged via Lightning and a dedicated adapter; practical. The AirPods 3 case is also MagSafe compatible, which allows for example to power them wirelessly using Apple's eponymous dual charger.

AirPods 3 alone can last up to six hours straight, or thirty with their MagSafe case.

AirPods 3 review (power supply): we validate MagSafe 100%!

Design: mixed opinion

We thought that the technical characteristics of AirPods 3 would really change. But ultimately, not too much. Thus, the AirPods (3rd generation) are still entitled to these “stems” of which we do not really know where they come from or what they are used for, although their size has been reduced.

The 2021 AirPods are only available in white. They are IPX4 certified to be water resistant.

AirPods 3rd generation review (form factor): for such a price, you would expect real waterproofing.

How to control AirPods 3?

Siri

AirPods 3 can be controlled by voice with the Siri voice assistant. Order an Uber, know the weather, follow the news, send an SMS… Everything is possible!

Tactile

The 2021 AirPods are also equipped with a small touchpad. This offers several standard controls:

• single long press: trigger Siri
• single short press: start playing a title, pause or answer a call
• two short presses: move to the next song
• three short presses: to go back

AirPods third generation review (orders): the choice is wide.

Final opinion

You must have guessed it after reading these technical characteristics: the AirPods 2021 are without hesitation excellent Apple headphones. For us, these are the best to go with an iPhone, a Mac or even an iPad with a tablet. Indeed, features like Handoff or Siri quickly become essential.

Unfortunately, the price of AirPods 3 may be too expensive compared to the competition. Users looking for active noise reduction will also choose AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max. In short, AirPods (3rd generation) are a real success, but when you can afford them.