Classic vs modern: choosing between AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 3

Apple has wireless headphones for every taste, but at the same time they are all weightless, small and comfortable - they sit in your ears like a glove. They will easily "make friends" with any phone, tablet or laptop from the manufacturer, and most importantly - they give that very unique sound that will definitely delight you. All that remains is to choose a model. We suggest comparing AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 - the models are similar in characteristics, but there are also differences.

AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 - Sound different

Let's start with the fact that the models combine excellent speakers, the sound of which pleases with its depth and richness. Let's add here powerful bass (does not hit the ears), smooth frequencies and the absence of any dips. Talking in headphones or listening to audiobooks is a real pleasure! And this is not to mention the balanced sound of your favorite tracks.

Both models support Spatial Audio (presence effect) and Dolby Atmos (surround sound, like in a cinema) - and all this provides spatial sound, allows you to enjoy the sound to the fullest. It seems as if the sound source is somewhere nearby, but as soon as you turn around, it moves away or approaches: everything is like in life. The feeling is that you are in the thick of the concert hall.

But there is also something that distinguishes AirPods 3 from AirPods Pro 2. And here we need to talk about the chipset: the first model uses H1, and the second one uses an even more pumped-up H2. The features that the latter chip has allow you to take digital sound to a new level - read about them further in the article.

The Pro version has three great features:

Active noise cancellation. Listening to music in transport or on the street? External sounds can be well muffled if you are talking on the phone or enjoying audio on the subway. AirPods Pro 2 help you to disconnect from the outside world with its chatter, the noise of a drill or bad weather much better.

Transparency mode. How not to miss an important message while you are disconnecting from the world and immersing yourself in fantastic sound? It's simple - if you need to hear what is happening around you, turn on the transparent mode with one click on the earpiece stem.

Pressure equalization. Anyone who has used in-ear headphones is familiar with this feeling of pressure on the eardrum. Well, forget about it. Gadgets have learned to normalize pressure. For this purpose, AirPods Pro have special holes.

And what's even more interesting is that the modes can change each other automatically - this is the adaptive sound option. The system reacts to the environment and adjusts: on a noisy street, the noise cancellation mode will be enhanced, and on a quiet one, you can switch to the transparency mode. Add to this personalized volume - adjustment to the noise level using AI - and speech recognition. In the latter case, the headphones themselves amplify the voice of the interlocutor and suppress noise, and when it's time for your remarks, noise cancellation will turn off and the music will quiet down.

Who can last longer without recharging?

Both versions show good battery life, but the Pro ones are a little more durable. Definitely half an hour:

spatial audio — up to 5 hours for AirPods 3 and up to 5.5 hours for the flagship version;
in the conversation format — 4 and 4.5 hours, respectively (the 3rd version and the flagship);
in conjunction with the case — 30 hours of music and 20 hours of conversation and 30/24 hours (for AirPods 3rd and Pro 2).

If we take track playback for comparison, then the score is equal — six hours for each model.

And how do the gadgets charge? Both support MagSafe wireless charging. But the third-generation AirPods come with a proprietary Lightning connector, and the flagship — with a universal USB-C. The latter option is more convenient because the headphones can be charged directly from any iPhone 15. And the wire is also suitable for other devices of the brand: smartphones, tablets, laptops.

What do gadgets look like?

The charging cases are almost identical. But AirPods Pro 2 are slightly larger — 45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 mm — and weigh 50.8 grams. While AirPods 3 fit into a case measuring 46.4 x 54.4 x 21.38 mm — weighing only 37.91 grams. And another important detail concerns the speaker, which is built into the case of the flagship version: it can signal so that you can quickly find the headphones or recharge them on time.

The difference in the shape of the headphones is more noticeable. The Pro model is made of vacuum in-ear design, so it comes with replaceable silicone ear pads. By the way, they are included in the kit: sizes L, M, S and XS. The ear pads themselves do a good job of blocking street sounds even without active noise cancellation.

AirPods 3 have a classic design - earbuds-drops. If you feel more comfortable with such headphones, the choice is obvious. But you can’t expect perfect noise cancellation from them.

Something common and valuable

Let's figure out why we love Apple wireless headphones:

IPX4 water resistance. In practice, this means that you can't swim, shower, or even go to the sauna with these headphones. But they are protected from water drops and splashes during workouts and light rain.
Barrier-free integration with Apple devices. As soon as you connect the headphones to your Apple ID on one device, all other "representatives" of the ecosystem will be pulled up automatically. After that, AirPods will connect and switch between devices without any extra actions. For example, you are working on a laptop, but during a call, the headphones will easily switch to your smartphone.
Automatic ear detection. The sound is played when both headphones are in your ears. If one is removed or the pair is lying on the table, playback stops.
One click pauses the track, two clicks change the song, and three clicks return to the previous one. You can call Siri and ask the voice assistant to call a friend or send a message. "Locator" organizes searches for the case and each earphone separately.

Apple knows a lot about the little things that make life better.

Making the final decision: which is better - AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro

If you're expecting a clear answer, you won't get one. Both gadgets are good, but each in its own way. They weigh little, stay in your ears well, are waterproof, hold their charge for a long time, are compatible with all the brand's devices, and provide top-notch sound - what else does a music lover and a regular user need?

But if silence and noise cancellation are a priority, it's better to buy AirPods Pro. This model cuts off unnecessary sounds with precision and supports transparency mode so you don't miss anything. In addition, its adaptive capabilities are worthy of admiration.

Not everyone likes and needs in-ear headphones. And then the AirPods 3 earbuds are a suitable solution.

Another point concerns the price of the headphones: AirPods 3 costs 2,990,000 soums, and the Pro version costs 4,405,000 soums.

What if you are not sure about your choice? Come to iSpace for a try-on — evaluate comfort, sound, silence and other parameters in real life. And then the question of what is better to take will be resolved by itself. For all questions, contact the consultants — they will show and tell you how to use, connect, and recharge the gadgets.

You can also buy AirPods and other Apple devices from us in installments without a down payment.