What was then the iPod a few years ago in terms of user needs, now it is for AirPodswireless headphones Manzana.
It doesn’t matter if the user is from iPhone or Androidthose devices work for many others.
New design, greater autonomy, spatial audio, skin sensor, IPX4 water resistance. Undoubtedly, there are many innovations that have been tested in a new analysis of AirPods 3 from Apple.
Data sheet
The good
Sound quality
In general, the AirPods 3 sound better than the AirPods 2 at all frequencies, its sound is much cleaner and more vivid, as well as the bass more solid and clear. Distortion is nonexistent, even at full volume.
Overall, the AirPods have consistently delivered a very balanced sound, with very solid mids and highs, where voices are heard clearly and crisply at all times. In this aspect nothing has changed, so the jump in the bass is very much appreciated. For example, Listening to Daft Punk’s Get Lucky on headphones will be immediately noticeable.
And despite its open construction, low frequencies are very present; do not reach the strength of closed models (such as Airpods Pro), but it is not far from it either.
Spatial Audio
A feature that through the use of 3D audio algorithms and directional filters that adjust in real time the frequencies and intensity of the same that each ear receives, creates the sensation of surround sound in 360 degrees.
With the help of the accelerometer and gyroscope, the system can detect head movement compared to the audio source; or what is the same, if you turn your head or move the source, the sound adjusts to a new position.
Head tracking is really neat and works well, although it’s more or less obvious depending on the type of content and the source; It is appreciated more with movies and series than with music, especially with the dialogues that seem to come directly from the mouths of the actors. It is also very noticeable with calls from WhatsApp, Instagram or face time.
Autonomy
The battery life when the headphones are fully charged reaches 6 hours, although in the tests it managed to last 6 hours and 37 minutes with volume between 50% and 75%, continuously. This, compared to 4.5 hours for the AirPods Pro, is a significant step forward for Apple.
If the full four additional charges required in this case were available, full autonomy can be achieved in 30 hours. It is compatible with wireless charging qi and incorporates, as a novelty, wireless charger compatibility MagSafe from Apple.
What’s more They have a fast charging system that provides up to an hour of autonomy, keeping the earphone in the box alone 5 minutes.
The bad
Ergonomics
The AirPods 3 have updated the shape with a more rounded design: some users find it better, others worse. Every user should try a pair of AirPods 3 before purchasing, as you also can’t change their fit and there are now fewer third-party accessories available.
In the tests carried out, the headphones were able to withstand an hour of gym training (a full week) without a problem; they did not fall, but if they were misaligned at the time of doing sit-ups, for example.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the hearing aids are waterproof, but unfortunately the more sweat in the ear, the more likely they are to fall out without making such a sudden effort.
New controls, no option to turn the volume up or down
Regarding the AirPods 2, they abandoned the control system of touches to switch to the pressure system using the gesture ‘to pinch’ that could be seen in the Pro version:
– One press to play, pause or pick up/end calls.
– Two consecutive presses to advance the song.
– Three to go back song.
– Long press to summon Siri
They work well and are more accurate, with the AirPods 2 sometimes the keys did not respond, although personally it is not a pleasant change; the touch screen system is much more comfortable, against the pinching gesture that even makes it less natural and also causes the hearing aid to move a little with each interaction.
