Page Text: These features were explained in the Top 10 new features of AirPods Pro , and AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: Top 8 improvements and new features of AirPods 3 .
AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: Advantages of AirPods Pro
You may find the new AirPods 3 lacks the following three features when comparing AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro.
Silcion tips
Although AirPods 3 looks closer to AirPods Pro than to AirPods 2 (for example, the shape, the length of the stem/leg), you can easily differ AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro due to lack of chargeable silicon tips.
The small silicon tips actually mark a fundamentally different design.
AirPods 3 adopts the “open” design, as in AirPods 2. This design does not create a “sealed” space for the sound from the wireless earbuds.
On the contrary, the silicon tips and other parts in the AirPods Pro create (at least attempt to) a sealed environment in the canal for the earbuds. Such a sealed environment is usually needed for active noise cancelling (ANC). Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is the only exception combining open design and ANC.
Some users may feel more comfortable with the open design, especially if they need to wear the earbuds for an extended period every day.
But if you prefer a quiet environment, then AirPods Pro is an obvious choice.
Active noise-cancelling
One of the flagship features of the AirPods Pro is ANC.
It seems Apple still sees the demands … Read the rest
Bluetooth headphones , noise cancelling headphones , wireless earbuds
AirPods 3, the successor of the 2-year-and-7-month old AirPods 2, was officially announced on October 18 2021. So many users are wondering about the new features of AirPods 3 (vs AirPods 2).
This AirPods guide explains the top 8 improvements and new features of AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: the Force Sensor, IPX4 water-resistance rating, longer battery life, Spatial audio, wireless charging, adaptive EQ, Find My Network, and improved design.
A comparison of AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro is discussed in this post.
As mentioned, AirPods 3 is the successor to AirPods 2 with considerable upgrades. They share a similar design and use the same H1 chip . But Apple managed to add some exciting new features to AirPods 3. Some are ported from AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Compared to AirPods 2 , you may find the following 8 improvements and new features of AirPods 3.
Force Sensor: the best of the new features of AirPods 3
Force Sensor is one of the most well-received features of AirPods Pro .
As explained in this guide in detail, the Force Sensor is superior to “touch” (as in Samsung Galaxy Buds ) or “button (press)” controls (e.g., in Jabra Elite Sport ) for in-ear wireless earbuds.
In AirPods 2, you have to tap (mostly, double-tap) to control the earbuds. With AirPods 3, you can now press the Force Sensor at the stem of the earbuds. More gestures (single, double, triple presses, and long-press) can be used.
Personally, I would rate this Force Sensor as the No.1 new feature of AirPods 3.
Sweat and Water Resistance
AirPods 3 has an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. So, it is safe to use these wireless earbuds in a heavy workout or even on rainy days.
As a comparison, AirPods 2 has no official rating for sweat and water resistance, although many AirPods 2 owners use them in the workouts without issues.
The IPX4 is surely one of the most wanted new features of AirPods 3 for many AirPods or AirPods 2 owners.
Longer battery life
AirPods 3 offers a playtime of 6 hours on a single charge (or 5 with spatial audio enabled). The talk time is about 4 hours.
As a comparison, AirPods 2 can last about 5 hours on one charge. The talk time is about 3 hours only.
The charging case of AirPods 3 can provide about 30 hours … Read the rest
Bluetooth headphones , noise cancelling headphones , wireless earbuds
Force Sensor on Airpods Pro is one of the most meaningful innovations for wireless earbuds control. It is a far superior solution compared to the touch control as in most other wireless earbuds.
This AirPods Pro guide explains what the Force Sensor on AirPods Pro is, how to use the Force Sensor to control music playing, handle calls, switch noise control modes, and launch Siri. The customization of the press speed and press duration of the Force Sensor on AirPods Pro is also illustrated.
Update: the latest AirPods 3 also features an almost identical Force Sensor . So, this guide also applies to AirPods 3 if you want to learn to use Force Sensor on AirPods 3.
The differences between AirPods Pro and Air Pods 3 are discussed in this guide .
What is Force Sensor on AirPods Pro?
Due to the tiny size, it is usually hard to control the wireless earbuds easily.
For example, Jabra Elite S p ort used the old-style buttons ( Multifunction button , Sports button , volume up button , and volume down button ). Many owners complained it is too painful when pressing these buttons.
Most other wireless earbuds (including Apple’s own AirPods 2) in the market use touch control. For example, all Samsung’s wireless earbuds, including Galaxy Buds , Buds+, Buds Live , Buds Pro, and Buds 2, use similar touch controls. The most common issue with touch control is inadvertent touch. For this reason, Samsung added the “block touches” option in the Galaxy Wearable app to turn off the touch control.
Now, you may understand the powerfulness of the Force Sensor on AirPods Pro .
You need to “press” the Force Sensor, which is located in the recessed area near the end of the stem, to control AirPods Pro, as shown in the picture below.
Force Sensor on Apple AirPods Pro
Compared to using buttons or touch control, the Force Sensor at least solves the following four questions.:
It will not cause any pain fopr your ear. You just press the Force Sensor.
It will not dislodge AirPods Pro in your ear,
It will nor push AirPods Pro further into the ear.
It will not be pressed inadvertently.
Technically, the Force Sensor is similar to touch control . It only adds a force threshold. If the force (pressure, to be precise) is lower than the threshold, no action is taken. The … Read the rest
Bluetooth headphones , noise cancelling headphones , wireless earbuds
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is a significant upgrade of Galaxy Buds+. Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live are also major upgrades of Galaxy Buds+. So what are the significant differences between Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro?
This wireless earbuds guide explains the top 8 major differences of Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 has advantages in the 4 aspects (weight, price, battery life, ear-fit test ), and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro wins in the other 4 categories (water resistance rating, 360 audio, voice detect, and better ANC and ambient sound controls).
Please note, Galaxy Buds Live is substantially different from Galaxy Buds + and Galaxy Buds Pro, as explained in this guide.
Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro: Galaxy Buds 2 wins
Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Buds Pro look similar and share many common features. However, Galaxy Buds 2 is NOT an upgrade to Galaxy Buds Pro. In fact, Samsung positions Galaxy Buds 2 as the successor to Galaxy Buds+.
Although Galaxy Buds 2 is a cheaper version of Galaxy Buds Pro, it has advantages in the following 4 aspects when comparing Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro.
20% Lighter
At 6.3g, Galaxy Buds Pro is not heavy and is very comfortable to wear. But Galaxy Buds 2 is about 20% lighter.
The design of Galaxy Buds 2 and Pro is very similar, although the material and finishing are slightly different.
So, most users will find it is even more comfortable to wear the Galaxy Buds 2 for an extended period.
Cheaper
As mentioned, Samsung designed Galaxy Buds 2 as a “lite” version of Galaxy Buds Pro so that Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+ users will feel it is natural to upgrade to Galaxy Buds 2.
The MSRP of Galaxy Buds 2 is $149.99 . The street price is around $100 currently. So, it is very affordable.
As a comparison, the MSRP of Galaxy Buds Pro is $199.99. Of course, now you can get a new one for around $150 .
The sound quality and active noise cancelling (ANC) on Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 are comparable. However, Galaxy Buds 2 uses a less powerful chip BES2500ZP, from a not-well-known vendor. FYI, Galaxy Buds Pro uses a popular chip Broadcom BCM43015 .
Ear-fit test