Angela Lang / CNET
Apple may be ready to release a new pair of AirPods in March. New leaks suggests that the third generation of Apple’s regular AirPods will share some features with the $ 249 AirPods Pro, such as spatial audio support. They can also have a shorter handle, interchangeable tips and a smaller boot than the AirPods Pro. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming AirPods 3.
AirPods 3 may look more like the AirPods Pro
So far, we’ve had two generations of regular AirPods, the wireless earbuds with the long handle that protrudes from your ear. But a new 52audio leak claims that the third-generation earbuds come with a shorter stem, so the design generally looks more like the AirPods Pro.
The leaked image claiming to be AirPods 3.
52 audience
The AirPods 3 can also borrow the interchangeable earplug design of the AirPods Pro to provide a more comfortable fit in the ear than the current AirPods, which simply rest in your ear. Some carriers have found that the regular AirPods would easily fall out while moving or running, so tips can help make a safer fit. While the AirPods Pro has clickable stems, the AirPods can have 3 touch levels to communicate with the earbuds.
Look at this:
1 year with the AirPods Pro
10:47
An earlier Bloomberg report also said that the AirPods 3 could share a similar design to the AirPods Pro, adding that the entry-level AirPods would miss the active noise cancellation. So far, it is unclear whether the AirPods 3 would have transparency mode, a way to introduce external sounds to make you more aware of your surroundings.
Read more: 3 AirPods Upgrades I Want Apple to Make This Year
Will AirPods 3 also have spatial audio support?
This is the rumor. The spatial sound, first introduced with the release of iOS 14 on the AirPods Pro and later the AirPods Max headphones, uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to give a virtual surround sound effect when you watch movies and TV shows on a iPhone or iPad watch.
The 52audio report suggests that battery life will remain the same as the current second-generation AirPods, lasting a total of about 5 hours. The case involves extra costs, just like now. In the leaked images, the case seems to divide the difference between the more square AirPods and rectangular AirPods Pro case.
The original AirPods design.
Óscar Gutiérrez / CNET
As for the sound quality, there are still no clear details on what to expect, although there is likely to be improvement in the reliability of the regular AirPods. TF International Securities research analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong record in Apple rumors over the years, issued a note in July 2020 claiming that the AirPods 3 has a similar system-in-package as the AirPods Pro will have, which means it’s likely that sound quality will be comparable.
It is also safe to assume that other AirPods and AirPods Pro features such as fast switching will also come to AirPods 3.
When will AirPods 3 be released?
Apple has not yet announced any launch event or dates for the AirPods. But many speculate that the third-generation AirPods may be released in March, which is a typical release month for Apple. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were both announced in a press release, so it would not be too much of a surprise if Apple did the same with the AirPods 3.
It makes sense that AirPods 3 will debut at the same price of $ 159 as the current AirPods. But it is unclear whether there will also be a $ 199 version for wireless charging cases, or that the case would be the standard option.