vs
3.5Battery3.4
4.9Build & features5.9
Why is AirPods 3 better than AirPods (3rd Gen)?
AirPods 3 has no measurable advantages in this pair.
Why is AirPods (3rd Gen) better than AirPods 3?
- Earbud weight (each)5.4 g vs 4.3 g+26%
Specifications
Side by side
| Sound | ||
| Fit | In-ear | Semi-in-ear (open) |
| Ear cup design | Closed-back | — |
| Driver type | Dynamic | — |
| Spatial / 3D audio | Yes | — |
| Head tracking | Yes | — |
| Noise control | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | — |
| Adaptive ANC | Yes | — |
| Transparency / ambient mode | Yes | — |
| Microphones | 2 | — |
| Noise reduction for calls | Yes | — |
| Battery & charging | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | 6 h |
| Battery life with ANC | 5 h | — |
| Total with charging case | 30 h | — |
| Quick charge (claimed) | 5 min → 1 h | — |
| Fast charging support | Yes | — |
| Wireless charging (case) | — | Yes |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 |
| Multipoint (two devices) | Yes | — |
| Smart & streaming | ||
| Voice assistant | Siri | — |
| Design & build | ||
| Earbud weight (each) | 5.4 g | 4.3 g |
| Protection rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Water resistance (IPx) | IPx4 | IPx4 |
| Features | ||
| Touch controls | — | Yes |
| Wear detection (auto pause) | Yes | — |
| Hands-free calls | — | Yes |
