The Apple AirPods 2 and the Apple AirPods 3 are two of Apple’s most popular headphones. Below is a comparison of the specifications of the Apple AirPods 2 vs. the Apple AirPods 3 to help you decide which one to buy.
Sensors
Apple AirPods 2
Dual beamforming microphones; Dual optical sensors; Motion-detecting accelerometer; Speech-detecting accelerometer
Apple AirPods 3
Dual beamforming microphones; Inward-facing microphone; Skin-detect sensor; Motion-detecting accelerometer; Speech-detecting accelerometer; Force sensor
Chip
Both of the devices have the H1 headphone chip
Controls
Apple AirPods 2
Double-tap to play, skip forward, or answer a phone call; Say “Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions
Apple AirPods 3:
1.) Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call; Press twice to skip forward; Press three times to skip back; Press and hold for Siri; Say “Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions
2.) Custom high-excursion Apple driver; Custom high dynamic range amplifier; Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ
Connectivity
Both of the devices have Bluetooth 5.0 support
Charging Case Connectivity
Apple AirPods 2
Works with the Lightning connector
Apple AirPods 3:
Works with MagSafe charger, Qi-certified chargers, or the Lightning connector
Accessibility
Apple AirPods 2
Live Listen audio
Apple AirPods 3:
Live Listen audio; Headphone levels; Headphone Accommodations
Battery Life
Apple AirPods 2
1.) AirPods: Up to 5 hours of listening time with a single charge; Up to 3 hours of talk time with a single charge;
2.) AirPods with Charging Case: More than 24 hours of listening time; Up to 18 hours of talk time; 15 minutes in the case provides up to 3 hours listening time or up to 2 hours talk time;
Apple AirPods 3:
1.) AirPods: Up to 6 hours of listening time with a single charge (up to 5 hours with spatial audio enabled); Up to 4 hours of talk time with a single charge
2.) AirPods with MagSafe Charging Case: Up to 30 hours of listening time; Up to 20 hours of talk time; 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time or around 1 hour of talk time
Color
Both devices are white
Size/Weight
Apple AirPods 2
1.) Each AirPod: Height: 1.59 inches (40.5 mm); Width: 0.65 inch (16.5 mm); Depth: 0.71 inch (18.0 mm); Weight: 0.14 ounce (4 grams)
2.) Charging Case: Height: 2.11 inches (53.5 mm); Width: 1.74 inches (44.3 mm); Depth: 0.84 inch (21.3 mm); Weight: 1.35 ounces (38.2 grams)
Apple AirPods 3:
1.) Each AirPod: Height: 1.21 inches (30.79 mm); Width: 0.72 inch (18.26 mm); Depth: 0.76 inch (19.21 mm); Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.28 grams)
2.) Charging Case: Height: 1.83 inches (46.40 mm); Width: 2.14 inches (54.40 mm); Depth: 0.84 inch (21.38 mm); Weight: 1.34 ounces (37.91 grams)
IP Rating
Apple AirPods 2
None
Apple AirPods 3
Sweat and water-resistant (IPX4)
Want To Buy The Apple AirPods 2 or Apple AirPods 3? Here are some options:
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