The tech world may be abuzz over the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, but the new AirPods — announced at Apple's 'Unleashed' event today — have also caused a storm. Apple finally announced a new pair of true wireless earbuds set to launch October 26 for $179, while dropping the price of the entry-level AirPods 2 to $129.
As expected, the third-generation AirPods mirror their sleeker sibling, the AirPods Pro, mostly in its new design and some features except active noise cancellation. For the first time since 2016, AirPods include a larger Pro-like charging case and shorter vapes. They also have Pro features like Adaptive EQ, which personalizes your audio experience, and an intuitive force sensor for media control. Apple has also added support for the same head-tracking capabilities found in AirPods Pro and Airpods Max, as well as Apple's Spatial Audio, which allows for a more immersive experience when listening to certain content from Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus and other services.
Unlike their predecessor, the latest AirPods are sweat and water resistant and compatible with Apple's MagSafe charging system. The tech giant further claims that the increased battery life on the third-gen model provides up to six hours of continuous playtime, or 30 with the included charging case. Of course, we haven't tested these claims yet, but we intend to do so in the coming weeks.
Unlike the last generation AirPods, which were available without a wireless charging case, the newer model is only available in a single configuration for $179. That's $20 less than the second-generation AirPods with a wireless charging case that launched in 2019.
If you plan to buy the new AirPods before launch, you can pre-order them today from the Apple Store. They will be available on Tuesday, October 26.
