The Good, the Bad, and the Airpods 3: A 2-Month Review
check_circlePros
- The design is super sleek and modern – I get compliments on them all the time.
- The sound quality is top-notch – I can really feel the bass.
- They're super easy to use – just pop them in your ears and you're good to go.
- The charging case is a total game changer – it's so convenient to just throw it in my bag.
- The build quality is solid – I'm impressed with how well they're made.
- They're really comfortable to wear – even for long periods of time.
cancelCons
- The battery life is a total letdown – I expected it to last longer.
- They're super pricey – I'm not sure if they're worth the investment.
- The earbuds can get a bit hot after extended use – it's not super comfortable.
- The controls can be a bit finicky – sometimes I accidentally skip songs.
- The case can get a bit dirty – I need to clean it regularly.
- They're not super durable – I'm a bit worried about dropping them.
Editor's Summary
I've had my Airpods 3 for a couple of months now, and they've been a real mixed bag. On the one hand, the design is super sleek and modern – I get compliments on them all the time. The sound quality is top-notch, too – I can really feel the bass. They're also super easy to use – just pop them in your ears and you're good to go. The charging case is a total game changer – it's so convenient to just throw it in my bag. But, the battery life is a total letdown. I expected it to last longer, especially considering the price. I've been using them for a few hours a day, and I still need to charge them way more often than I'd like. So, are the Airpods 3 worth the investment? I'm still on the fence about that. I love the value for money when it comes to the design and sound quality, but the battery life is a major drawback. I've been using them for a week and the build quality surprised me – the buttons feel solid and the battery lasts longer than I expected. But, the more I use them, the more I realize that the battery life is a real issue. I'm not sure if it's worth the investment, but I do love the way they look and sound.
Specifications
I'll be the first to admit I'm not a tech expert. When it comes to buying gadgets, I rely on design and basic features. So, don't expect a super technical review from me. I just want to share my honest thoughts and help you decide if the Airpods 3 are worth the investment.
I'd been using my old earbuds, but they started malfunctioning, and I had to deal with one earbud not working properly, and I had to charge them more often. It was a real pain.
So, I decided to get a replacement in the new version for my birthday/anniversary (October), and I've been using them for a few months now. I'm still trying to figure out if they're worth the cash.
— general info —
Brand: Apple
Product: Wireless earbuds Airpods 3
Manufacturer: USA
Production: Vietnam
Price: 21,990 rubles (at the time of purchase in October 2023)
I ended up buying the Apple Airpods 3 from re:store in the Horizon mall in Rostov-on-Don. My husband thought it was a reliable spot, but you can also get it from marketplaces and save some cash, although I have doubts about the authenticity of the tech.xa0
I'm only speaking for myself, but the one-year warranty was a nice touch.
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Warranty period - 1 yearxa0
— packaging —
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The design is sleek and minimalist. It comes in a compact white box with a solid lid, which is a signature Apple touch. Inside the box, you'll find the Airpods on the first level, a USB-C cable at the bottom, and a separate envelope with documentation. No stickers, though – I know some people love those.
Bespoke wireless headphones from Apple Airpods 3
Bespoke wireless headphones from Apple Airpods 3
Bespoke wireless headphones from Apple Airpods 3— accessories —
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The package includes:
✔️ Airpods
✔️ Charging case
✔️ USB-C cable
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control— exterior features —
I've got to say, the case is a real head-turner. It's a sleek, glossy white design that's a bit slippery to the touch. This time around, it's oriented horizontally and is slightly larger than before – which is no surprise, given the bigger earbuds.
The magnetic closure works a charm, and the lid stays shut unless you intentionally open it.
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 Second-hand use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 Second-hand use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 Second-hand use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 Second-hand use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 Second-hand use benefits and drawbacks charging sound control When I first tried the earbuds, I was taken aback – they seemed way too big and uncomfortable. My previous Airpods 2 were a game-changer with their seamless integration and organic design.
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control The right and left earbuds are slightly different, but if you flip the stem up, you can easily swap them if needed.
The stem is shorter than the second version, and it's less likely to accidentally touch anything.
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Dimensions: 30.79 mm
Width: 18.26 mm
Thickness: 19.21 mm
Weight of one earbud: 4.28 g
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I'm glad there are no silicone covers – I hate feeling them.
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The new button for control has appeared, and the dynamic has shifted slightly for audio recording.
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— technical specs —
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It's got sweat and water resistance, plus protection from drops.
I wish it came with some extra protection so it wouldn't fall apart after a few drops.
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How much juice does it pack?
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Up to 6 hours of audio playback without recharging
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Up to 30 hours of audio playback with MagSafe2 charging case
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second-generation usage pros and cons charging sound control
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with Airpods 2 second-generation usage pros and cons charging sound control— control —
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✔️Pairing
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The phone picked up the new earbuds in no time, and the setup was a breeze.
Now it connects them instantly as soon as I put the earbud in my ear.
This is a game-changer, especially when you've got multiple devices nearby and you'd have to manually switch them off in the past.
I'm really impressed that they don't just randomly disconnect – no lag or issues at all.
Version 2 would pause music or a movie when I'd take out the earbuds, which was super convenient and made sure I didn't miss a thing.
But the third version we're looking at today takes a slightly different approach, and I'm not even sure if it's an improvement.
If you get distracted or the earbuds fall out, the playback just keeps going without you.
Pressing the button once on the earbuds puts the music on pause, and you can answer a call, for example.
I don't usually use it this way, though – I tend to pause the music on my phone when I'm watching a movie with my hands on the screen, and music is a rare occurrence for me.
Double-pressing the button lets you switch tracks, and triple-pressing takes you back to the previous one.
It took some getting used to, but I've found the touch controls to be pretty intuitive, even if you do risk accidentally pressing the wrong zone.
There's also a voice assistant, Siri, that can recognize commands even when your hands are full or dirty.
✔️Battery Life
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with AirPods 2 Second-hand usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Reviews comparison with AirPods 2 Second-hand usage benefits and drawbacks charging sound control I've been using the wired charging case, which wasn't a deal-breaker for me. It's convenient, and the charging cable is included, but I've been using my phone's cable instead.
I only charge it every week or so, even though I use the earbuds daily for around 5 hours a day – that's not too shabby.
I think it's doing a great job of holding the charge.
The charging is super fast – I barely have time to glance away before it's at 100%. It takes around an hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to fully charge, which is way quicker than my phone, which takes longer and needs to be charged twice a day.
It seems like the second version of the earbuds required more frequent charging, although it's possible that's just due to their age.
When the case is charging, the light changes from red to green. To check the exact charge level, you need to look at your phone and hold the case up to it – it's a bit of a hassle each time. When the earbuds are in your ears, the data shows up on your phone without needing the case.
— usage —
Wireless earbuds Apple Airpods 3 Review Comparison with Airpods 2 Usage Pros and Cons Sound Control After a few days, I started feeling this intense discomfort, like my ears were being squeezed, and it hurt. The earbuds were bothering me not just during use, but also affecting my life afterwards. My ears were getting super sweaty and itchy.
I've had this issue before, and sometimes it gets to the point where I have to deal with serious consequences (I've had to fight off intense itchiness to the point of getting cuts and even losing my hearing temporarily). But this time, it was even worse.
I was about to return them because I had no idea how to use them anymore. I took a three-day break and stopped using them, and everything went back to normal.
After resuming use, the problem disappeared.
I've learned to live with it, but it's not ideal.
The mesh gets clogged up, so you need to clean it for better sound quality and hygiene. I know there are special cleaning tools from the brand, but sometimes I just use a toothpick to clean it out.
The earbuds never fall out, so you can safely move around and dance while wearing them.
Lying on them isn't the most comfortable (unless you're on a soft cushion), and it's better to avoid it, or they might fall out.
The sound is amazing, I can hear every single detail, and when I'm wearing both, it's like being surrounded by the music.
The quality is better than the previous model, but that's more for audio enthusiasts.
The surrounding sounds aren't blocked, and when you're listening to music at high volume, people nearby can still hear what you're listening to.
The isolation is average, and I guess that wasn't the main goal.
I've been using the Airpods 3 for a few months now, and I'm still trying to decide if they're worth the investment. The sound quality is great, but the discomfort I experience after wearing them for a while is a major issue for me. If you're an audiophile, you might love them, but for me, it's a trade-off.
