Apple announces third-generation AirPods

Apple today announced the third-generation AirPods during its October event. It has a contoured design, spatial audio support, Adaptive EQ, and looks more like the AirPods Pro without the ear tips.

Combining the power of the H1 chip with an Apple-designed acoustic system, the new AirPods use computational audio to deliver sound with Adaptive EQ. It includes Adaptive EQ that adjusts frequencies in real-time, based on what a user is listening to. Users can enjoy spatial audio along with dynamic head tracking, too.

The third-generation ‌AirPods‌ are sweat and water resistant, and include a force sensor for better handling of music and phone calls. A new skin-detect sensor detects if AirPods are in the ear, in a pocket, or on a table, and pauses the playback when they are removed.

Apple promises to deliver an extra hour of battery life compared to the previous generation, providing up to 30 hours of total listening time. The company claims that five minutes of charging can provide an hour of battery life. Apple is also bringing MagSafe charging to the third-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro.

The new ‌AirPods‌ are priced at $179 and available to order starting today, with in-store availability beginning Tuesday, October 26. The second-generation AirPods now cost $129. You can pre-order the new AirPods from apple.com/store.