Full AirPods 3 Feature Breakdown: Everything Rumors Say We Can Expect

[MacRumors]

With Apple's third-generation AirPods believed to be arriving alongside the iPhone 13, which is just a few weeks away, we have compiled all of the coherent rumors from our news coverage to build a full picture of the features and upgrades coming to the company's next-generation wireless earbuds.

AirPods 3 clones in a clear case, reportedly showing the next-generation design.
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It is worth noting that the rumors below are aggregated from our coverage from a wide range of sources, including leakers, analysts, and publications. The reliability of each source varies, so some of the rumored features may be taken with a pinch of salt.

Nevertheless, the overall view of the third-generation AirPods rumors gives a good idea of many of the upcoming upgrades and what users can largely expect from the true wireless earbuds when they are officially revealed in the near future.

• AirPods Pro-like design with shorter stems and a larger in-ear shell.
• Shorter, wider charging case, with a similar design to the AirPods Pro's charging case.
• No replaceable ear tips, according to images of early Chinese counterfeits that show no sign of silicone tips nor any space for them within the charging case. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman initially claimed last year that the third-generation AirPods would feature replaceable ear tips like AirPods Pro, but this is now questionable in light of the design of the counterfeits and other purported supply-chain renders.
• Next-generation wireless chip, replacing the Apple H1 headphone chip. It is the same chip expected to come to the second-generation AirPods Pro, will feature a smaller System-in-Package and could offer improved efficiency, longer range, and better performance.
• Force sensor controls on the stems like the AirPods Pro, replacing the tap-based controls of the first and second-generation AirPods.
• Pressure relief system with vents brought over from the AirPods Pro, designed to equalize pressure within the ear to relieve discomfort when using the ‌AirPods‌ for a long period of time.
• Charging case with Qi wireless charging as standard, with no need to upgrade to a higher-spec charging case.

It would also not be unreasonable to expect the next-generation AirPods to feature improved sound quality and better battery life, but there have been no rumors about these aspects thus far.

The entry-level AirPods are expected to continue to forgo higher-end features such as Active Noise Cancelation and Transparency to remain clearly differentiated from the AirPods Pro. This may also explain the continued absence of in-ear silicone tips.

Apple's second-generation AirPods launched in March 2019, making them almost two and a half years old. If these new features do come to the third-generation AirPods, the new model could shape up to be a worthwhile upgrade for many users. 52audio believes that the new ‌AirPods‌ will be priced at $150.

Most indications seem to be pointing to Tuesday, September 14 as the most likely event date for the announcement of the third-generation AirPods and iPhone 13 models, and we could see event invites go out as soon as next week.

Article Link: Full AirPods 3 Feature Breakdown: Everything Rumors Say We Can Expect

 

[avisaxena33]

Don't care not the pros :c

 

[cameronp16]

Shorter stems and no in-ear tips are perfect for me. My ears have always liked the feel of the "standard" Apple earbuds rather that in-ear ones.

I expect a small price hike, but my wallet is ready. My Gen 1 AirPods are getting long in the teeth and the battery life barely lasts an hour of listening to music now.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Hopefully, they are not delayed.

 

[JosephAW]

Happy with my gen ii on-ear air pods. Please don’t discontinue. Don’t want anything in the ear canal.

 

[DotCom2]

Quite happy to hear they might be the same design as before but improved. The Pro's don't fit my ears.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Quite happy to hear they might be the same design as before but improved. The Pro's don't fit my ears.

Huh?

"AirPods Pro-like design with shorter stems and a larger in-ear shell."

 

[Bane-Thunder]

I look more forward to this update than the phone. Its time to upgrade my AirPods. And I'm so glad they're not copying the rubber tips of the pro gosh those old rumours were hurting my soul, cant stand rubber tips on headphones.

 

[DotCom2]

Huh?

"AirPods Pro-like design with shorter stems and a larger in-ear shell."

I meant with no ear-tips as once was reported they would have.

 

[DCstewieG]

Am I the only one who likes the tapping for control? Especially in winter when I can put my hat over my ears and still control them even wearing gloves.

I never understood the complaints that it’s painful pressing them into your ear, they take really light taps.

 

[Christoffee]

No ear tips, but a pressure release system. Does this make sense?

 

[radus]

to bad my ears react with an allergy on the airpods und airpods pro

 

[gregmancuso]

Am I the only one who likes the tapping for control? Especially in winter when I can put my hat over my ears and still control them even wearing gloves.

I never understood the complaints that it’s painful pressing them into your ear, they take really light taps.

And you can actually tap the back of your ear instead if you really cannot stand the feeling in your ear when tapping the AirPods.

 

[PsykX]

Add some Noise Cancellation to it and it's sold for me.
I think I'll have to wait for Gen 4.

 

[Octavius8]

Audio quality improvements?. Hi-res audio support?. Reasons to upgrade, besides a clear case?

 

[SactoGuy18]

While the new AirPods 3 may be nice, especially with the rumored H2 chip, I'll still wait for the AirPods Pro 2 due early in 2022. At least Apple has plenty of competitors now they can look at to help improve the AirPods Pro 2.

 

[Octavius8]

Am I the only one who likes the tapping for control? Especially in winter when I can put my hat over my ears and still control them even wearing gloves.

I never understood the complaints that it’s painful pressing them into your ear, they take really light taps.

Totally agree with you!!. I have the normal and the pro’s and I make more mistakes like hanging a call with the pros, when I try to adjust them on my ear, by far, compared to the non-pro.

 

[Octavius8]

Shorter stems and no in-ear tips are perfect for me. My ears have always liked the feel of the "standard" Apple earbuds rather that in-ear ones.

I expect a small price hike, but my wallet is ready. My Gen 1 AirPods are getting long in the teeth and the battery life barely lasts an hour of listening to music now.

Also for me!!!, the battery should be replaceable!!!. Otherwise they are basically rubbish in a few more months.

 

[Crowbot]

Also for me!!!, the battery should be replaceable!!!. Otherwise they are basically rubbish in a few more months.

A few months? You should be able to get 2 to 3 years of use before the batteries become an issue. And making the batteries replaceable would require a major design change.

 

[Johnny907]

Am I the only one who likes the tapping for control? Especially in winter when I can put my hat over my ears and still control them even wearing gloves.

I never understood the complaints that it’s painful pressing them into your ear, they take really light taps.

Nope, you're not alone. The squeeze controls of the Pros are my only real gripe with them. They never work for me. I'll squeeze and the only result is pulling the F'ers out of my ear. Trying to skip track while jogging has resulted in the thing falling out of my ear instead because surprise surprise: delicately manipulating a tiny stem with a thumb and forefinger while bouncing around = failure. This is why I ultimately kept my Gen 2 standard Pods for the gym and jogging trail.
Tap controls are the better solution, and I cannot for the life of me understand why Apple was so dead set on moving away from them.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Looks great - release them already!

 

[boak]

Happy with my gen ii on-ear air pods. Please don’t discontinue. Don’t want anything in the ear canal.

Wish they would keep that around as the AirPods SE, with the following line-up:

• AirPods Pro - $249
• AirPods with Wireless Charging Case (new) - $199
• AirPods SE with Charging Case (prev. gen) - $129

 

[boak]

Nope, you're not alone. The squeeze controls of the Pros are my only real gripe with them. They never work for me. I'll squeeze and the only result is pulling the F'ers out of my ear. Trying to skip track while jogging has resulted in the thing falling out of my ear instead because surprise surprise: delicately manipulating a tiny stem with a thumb and forefinger while bouncing around = failure. This is why I ultimately kept my Gen 2 standard Pods for the gym and jogging trail.
Tap controls are the better solution, and I cannot for the life of me understand why Apple was so dead set on moving away from them.

Same here. With touch, I rest my middle finger on my face and tap using my index finger. Works well even when I'm moving around a lot.

 

[DavidLeblond]

The mics on both of my barely a year old Gen 2 AirPods stopped working. Not sure I'm up for paying for these things annually though.

 

[boak]

The mics on both of my barely a year old Gen 2 AirPods stopped working. Not sure I'm up for paying for these things annually though.

I just get AppleCare+ and I'll hopefully get battery replacements after 2 years, since I'm quite a heavy user.