When Apple released their first ever AirPods, it revolutionized how we think about wireless audio. Before these, Apple was all about those sleek earpods with wires that easily got a scar and cut. And with the AirPods, it was all about freedom: no wires, instant connectivity, and a compact design with a case to carry around. All these things made AirPods a favorite to millions of users across the globe and then came the improvements with the 2nd Gen AirPods, which offered better call quality and a few tweaks here and there.
Fast forward two years later, Apple introduced us to the 3rd Gen AirPods – a new take on what wireless earbuds can do, with improved sound, enhanced comfort, and a whole lot of extra features to the base model. Of course, Apple also released the first AirPods Pro before, and still, the 3rd Gen stands its way out in terms of performance as a base model.
However, if we have to compare both 1st-Gen AirPods and 3rd-Gen AirPods, you might wonder: how much of a difference do these AirPods really make? And most importantly, if you have the 1st Gen AirPods, is it worth upgrading to the 3rd Gen while they still work perfectly fine? Budget, performance, and features: let’s touch base with all of these for AirPods and AirPods 3rd Gen in this review.
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AirPods vs AirPods 3: Should You Be Upgrading?
We get it; buying new tech can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to decide between sticking with what already works or going with the newest of them. Well, unlike most tech blogs, at Tiny Quip, the review is about you picking the best one based on your day-to-day needs and not just what’s inside the tech skin. Of course, it is unfair to compare both the AirPods as one is two times the upgrade of the other, but this review is about whether you really need this upgrade with an expense or save your money for the next one, which brings more value.
For rush-goers, here is a quick summary or 1-minute review on whether you should be upgrading from AirPods to AirPods 3rd Gen.
1-Minute Quip Take
It is worth upgrading from AirPods to AirPods 3, and there are three major supporting reasons why you should be upgrading: 1. Better sound quality with adaptive EQ and deeper bass, 2. It lasts up to 6 hours on a single charge, 30 hours with the case, and 3. Spatial Audio with an immersive sound experience.
Design: The 3rd Gen AirPods has a more rounded, contoured design with a shorter stem, which offers a secure fit and comfortable look.
Sound Quality: The 3rd Gen AirPods offer a noticeably better sound quality with a better and deeper bass and an Adaptive EQ.
Features: AirPods 3 definitely has to offer more features as it is an upgrade from older models. Here, we have features like Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio, and water/sweat resistance.
Battery Life: The 3rd Gen AirPods last up to 6 hours on a single charge, while the AirPods 1 lasts only for 5 hours.
Charging Case: The 3rd Gen AirPods offers a lightning charging case with 30 hours of battery pack.
1. Design: The AirPods 3 Look So Much Better
The 1st Gen AirPods, though good with design, don’t sit firmly inside the ear canal for intense workouts, so they easily fall out when you are on the run or doing some intense workouts. Apple fixed its design with the AirPods 3; with a more contoured design, the AirPods now sit more comfortably and don’t come off easily, even when you are on a quick run or doing some intense workouts.
Another noticeable change with the AirPods 3 is the shorter stem, which gives a more modern look and also doesn’t make the AirPods look bulky on your face. However, the shorter stem doesn’t compromise on the sound quality; rather, it offers more, which we shall discuss in the next few sections.
With the 1st Gen AirPods, Apple missed out on water resistance; more commonly loved by the gym and run enthusiasts, users would always worry that sweat would ruin their tech. However, with the AirPods 3, this was no longer a problem as Apple AirPods came with IPX4 water resistance, which could bear sweat and light rain.
2. Comfort and Fit
The lack of secure fit and comfort is one of the common problems for the 1st Gen AirPods users. Despite comfortably sitting in the ear, these easily come out of the ear when the users are on the run or during workout sessions. However, with the 3rd Gen AirPods, the key improvements include the overall design, where the AirPod is now more curvy or contoured to sit well. To support a firm fit from the bottom, the stem is more angled, which ensures a secure fit and avoids dropping your AirPods.
So, you can wear them for longer and with more comfort in comparison to the 1st Gen AirPods.
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3. Sound Quality
The 1st Gen AirPods offer a decent sound quality, which is great for casual listening. Of course, the sound is balanced, but it lacks depth, particularly in the bass department. So, if you are using them for podcasts and calls, these are decent picks, but for audiophiles, the lack of punchy bass and dynamic sound could be a matter of disappointment with the 1st Gen AirPods.
However, new tech has always been about some kind of improvements, and so did Apple with the AirPods 3rd Gen. Unlike the 2nd Gen AirPods, where the only noticeable change in sound quality was the sound during the call, the story is entirely different here.
These 3rd Gen AirPods bring a noticeable improvement with the introduction of Adaptive EQ and a new custom high-excursion driver. The Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound in real-time based on the shape of your ear, resulting in a richer, fuller sound. This means the bass hits harder, the vocals are clearer, and the overall audio experience feels much more immersive.
The Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking makes a huge difference, especially when watching movies or listening to Dolby Atmos music. It gives you a more three-dimensional experience, making it feel like the sound is coming from all around you.
Also Read: How to Pair Apple AirPods with Android and Windows PC
4. Features and Technology
- Audio Drivers: The 1st Gen AirPods offer basic drivers that deliver balanced but unremarkable sound. The 3rd Gen AirPods feature improved drivers for more dynamic output, and the Adaptive EQ constantly adjusts to make sure the audio fits your ear perfectly.
- Spatial Audio: The 3rd Gen AirPods offer a Spatial Audio experience that makes audio feel more three-dimensional, especially when you are watching movies or using entertainment apps that offer the Spatial Audio feature.
- Adaptive EQ: AirPods 3rd Gen automatically adjusts frequencies to match the fit of your ears, providing a more tailored and enjoyable sound experience.
With all these additional sound features, we can determine that Apple AirPods 3rd Gen offers a more personalized and dynamic sound experience. This is something you would expect from those pricy professional headsets that are used in music production.
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5. Microphone and Call Quality
One of the crucial features of AirPods is the ability to make clear calls. Now, with the latest iOS on our iPhones and iPads, we get the option for voice isolation, but if you think about hardware, the 3rd Gen AirPods leads here.
The 1st Gen AirPods sit more open in the ear canal, and they fail to isolate the calls or remove the background noise. Here, the microphone is decent, but it lacks the ability to make clear calls in noisy environments, making it harder for the other person to hear you. Of course, this isn’t the case when you are in a silent environment.
AirPods (3rd Gen) enhances call quality with an improved acoustic mesh and a dedicated beamforming microphone that focuses on your voice while minimizing ambient noise. This means you can have clearer calls, even if you’re in a moderately noisy space.
6. Battery Life and Charging
If you are buying a wireless tech, the battery backup can always be a big issue; what if you are in transit from your office to back home and the battery dies? That would be so disappointing.
With the 1st Gen AirPods, the battery lasts for up to 5 hours and 24 hours with the charging case. While the case with the 3rd Gen AirPods is, the battery lasts for up to 6 hours and 30 hours with the charging case.
7. Connectivity
AirPods (1st Gen) come with the W1 chip, which provides reliable Bluetooth connectivity but can feel sluggish when switching between devices. In contrast, the AirPods (3rd Gen) feature the newer H1 chip, delivering faster pairing, smoother switching between Apple devices, and improved Bluetooth efficiency that reduces latency—making them ideal for watching videos or gaming.
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8. Price and Value for Money
The 1st Gen AirPods are available at a heavily discounted price as there are several new models out now. Also, these are rarely available as Apple has stopped manufacturing this model.
There isn’t much of a discount on the Apple AirPods 3rd Gen on the official Apple website; you can still look for student discounts for this model. However, third-party sellers such as Amazon, digital local stores, and other online shopping websites can offer you decent discounts and deals on the AirPods 3rd Gen.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Yes, the 3rd Gen has richer sound and deeper bass and features Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio, offering a much more immersive experience.
Yes, the 3rd Gen has a redesigned shape that fits more securely, especially during activities, and reduces the need for constant adjustment.
Yes, the 3rd Gen uses improved microphones and an acoustic mesh to enhance clarity during calls, especially in noisy environments.
The 3rd Gen offers up to 6 hours of listening time, compared to 5 hours in the 1st Gen, along with improved overall efficiency.
If you want better sound, improved fit, longer battery life, and modern features like Spatial Audio, then yes, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
Yes, the 3rd Gen has an IPX4 water resistance rating, making it more suitable for workouts and sweat compared to the 1st Gen.
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Wrapping up: Is it Worth Upgrading to AirPods 3 from the 1st Gen AirPods?
The 3rd Gen AirPods are definitely an upgrade from the 1st Gen AirPods as they offer more than decent sound. Even if we don’t consider the fancy features such as a contoured design and just the sound quality, there is a lot to offer. Adaptive EQ helps you with personalized sound, while Spatial Audio gives you an immersive experience, taking music or entertainment to another level. Of course, the 1st Gen AirPods hold up for decent quality, but it’s outdated.
What are your thoughts on this upgrade? Do let us know in the comment section below. Feel free to explore our AirPods guides to explore more useful and handy tips on the Apple AirPods. If you like this article, quickly share it on your social media handles and tag us. Also, join our Telegram channel, Facebook page, and Twitter to never miss a quick update.
