AirPods (third-gen) review: less conspicuous design, IPX4 water resistance, and improved sound quality, but spatial audio is inconsistent and no ANC
Chris Welch / The Verge :
Context & Ripple Effects
Apple's standard AirPods entered this review with improved sound and water resistance but without active noise cancellation, while the earlier AirPods Pro made noise cancellation and better fit its differentiators. Related coverage later shows Apple continuing to improve the Pro line's ANC and sound quality rather than collapsing that distinction immediately.
The subsequent AirPods 4 added ANC to an open design, making this third-generation model a useful marker of when water resistance and sound upgrades still sat below noise control in the standard AirPods feature set.
First-order effects
- Buyers wanting Apple earbuds with improved sound and IPX4 resistance can choose the third-generation AirPods, but must move to AirPods Pro for active noise cancellation.
- Apple preserves a clear product split: standard AirPods emphasize design, durability, and sound, while the Pro line retains the noise-cancellation advantage.
Second-order effects
- The Pro line's differentiation is reinforced by the later second-generation AirPods Pro review, which emphasizes improved ANC, sound quality, and clarity rather than a major redesign.
- Open-design earbuds become a more contested category once ANC reaches AirPods 4, raising the baseline for standard AirPods beyond the third generation's sound and water-resistance improvements.
Third-order effects
- Apple's lineup points toward feature migration by form factor: ANC moves into open earbuds over time, while Pro models must sustain their premium through stronger execution of sound and noise control.
- If that migration persists, product segmentation in earbuds will depend less on whether ANC exists and more on its performance, fit, charging, and software experience.
The trend: Apple's AirPods progression shows premium audio features moving into less-isolating designs while Pro models seek differentiation through higher-quality ANC and sound.