6 details of the AirPods 3 and the revamped AirPods lineup you may have missed

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AirPods 3 details and discoveries

With the AirPods 3 included, there is now more choice than ever when you want to buy new AirPods. But when choosing the right AirPods, you shouldn't just look at the big picture. There are also countless details about the AirPods 3 that can make all the difference. There are things like battery life that you have to take into account, but also suitable iPhones and iPads, replacement prices and more.

#1 Improved battery life, but only without spatial audio and head tracking
Apple proudly reports on its page that the AirPods 3 have improved battery life. A set of AirPods 3 lasts about 6 hours without recharging. With a recharge, that is about 30 hours. But it is only from the fine print that it becomes clear what condition Apple attaches to those 6 hours. That 6 hours is only achievable if the dynamic head tracking with spatial audio is turned off. If you turn this on, you get a battery life of about 5 hours. That matches the battery life of the AirPods 2 from 2019, although it doesn't have dynamic head tracking with spatial audio at all.

#2 Control Siri with the sticks
Like the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 have a pressure sensor. Where with the AirPods 2 you had to tap an AirPod twice to go to the next song, with the AirPods 3 you press the stick twice. The operation is almost identical to that of the AirPods Pro, with one exception. With the AirPods Pro, you hold down the stick to switch between noise reduction and transparency mode, but the AirPods 3 do not have these two modes. Instead, you activate Siri by pressing and holding the sensor in the wand. So you don't necessarily need Hé Siri to say.

Apple's purchase page lists which iPhones, iPads and iPods are suitable for these AirPods. Not surprisingly, not all devices fully work with the new AirPods. Apple says that you can use an iPhone 6s or newer for all functions and that the iPhone 6 and older models are dropped. But don't worry: the same list of devices is also included with the AirPods 2 from 2019. So nothing has changed here. The reason Apple says these models are not ‘suitable’ is that some features require iOS 13 or later. It is therefore also the models that remain on iOS 12 that are not fully suitable for the AirPods. But you can probably just connect them and listen to music with them. Keep in mind that not all functions are available.

#4 AirPods Pro also with MagSafe charging case
The AirPods 3 come with a MagSafe charging case. You attach this magnetically to the MagSafe charger, but you can also just use a standard Qi wireless charger. Apple has also immediately provided the current AirPods Pro with the renewed MagSafe charging case. So for the same suggested retail price of €279,- you have a newer version of the charging case, which can be attached magnetically to a MagSafe charger. Keep in mind that you may still find the older version for sale at other retailers. It works with standard wireless charging. Although you can also simply place it on a MagSafe charger, it does not magnetically snap into place.

#5 Service prices unchanged
If you lose one of your new AirPods 3, it's good to know that Apple's service prices are the same as the previous second generation. For a separate AirPod as a replacement, you pay €75 each. If lost, a replacement MagSafe charging case also has the same price as the regular wireless charging case, namely €85. If something breaks with the AirPods or the MagSafe charging case, you also pay the same prices as with the other models. See the table for the complete overview.

Price for service Price for service (with AppleCare+) Price for loss Price battery service AirPods 3 €75 each €29 each €75 each MagSafe charging case €75 each – €29,- €85,- €55,- AirPods 2 €75,- each €29,- €75,- each €55,- each Wireless charging case €75, – €29,- €85,- €55,- Standard charging case €65,- €29,- €65,- €55,- AirPods Pro €99,- each €29 £99 each £55 each AirPods Pro Wireless Charging Case £99 £29 £109 £55 AirPods Pro MagSafe Charging Case £99 €29,- €109,- €55,-

#6 Lower suggested retail price for previous generation AirPods
The standard second-generation AirPods from 2019 will remain in Apple's range. But something does change, namely the suggested retail price. The AirPods 2 from 2019 will be slightly cheaper, although it is nowhere near many prices that you see at other stores. The AirPods 2 now cost €149 at Apple. At other stores you will often find the model with standard charging case for a price that is a few tens lower.

Pricing AirPods 2 (previous generation)

The AirPods 3 are can now be ordered from Apple for a price of €199,-. Also check out the AirPods at other stores:
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