Is The AirPods 3 Case The Same As The AirPods Pro Case?
Apple released the third generation of its AirPods in October 2021. The new AirPods feature a completely revamped design, including shorter stems and a new H1 chip that enables always-on Hey Siri support. One of the most notable changes is the case, which looks closer to the AirPods Pro case than that of earlier generations. So, is the AirPods 3 case the same as the one for AirPods Pro?
AirPods 3 have a narrower, taller case than AirPods Pro. Both cases are made of white plastic, but the AirPods 3 case has a glossy finish, while the AirPods Pro case is slightly more matte. The former is lighter, weighing 1.34 ounces, compared to 1.61 ounces for the latter.
Despite these similarities, the AirPods 3 charging case is not compatible with the AirPods Pro earbuds. Let’s take a closer look at the two cases and how they compare.
Are AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro Cases the Same Size?
At first glance, the cases for the AirPods 3 (on Amazon) and the AirPods Pro (also on Amazon) may look pretty similar, but they’re actually different sizes and shapes. The AirPods 3 case measures 1.83 x 0.84 x 2.14 inches and weighs 1.34 ounces, while the AirPods Pro case measures 1.8 x 0.9 x 2.4 inches and weighs 1.61 ounces. They are also different from the AirPods 1 and 2 case.
The AirPods 3 case is narrower and taller than the AirPods Pro case, which makes it a bit easier to grip. The AirPods Pro case, on the other hand, is shorter and wider.
The cases for both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro are white and made of plastic. However, the AirPods 3 case has a glossy finish, while the AirPods Pro case has a matte finish. Both cases have a Lightning connector for charging.
They can also be charged via Qi or Apple MagSafe wireless charging. However, the AirPods 3 charging case is not compatible with the AirPods Pro earbuds. If you’re curious about whether other AirPods models can use any case, read our other guide where we cover that.
The AirPods 3 charging case offers about 30 hours of listening time compared to the AirPods Pro’s 24 hours, so you’ll be able to listen to your music for more extended periods before recharging the case.
The AirPods 3 case and earbuds are water resistant, making them ideal for working out or other activities where you might sweat. The AirPods Pro’s case is not water resistant, but the earbuds are.
AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro were released in October 2019, while the AirPods 3 were released in October 2021. The two may look similar on the surface, but they have some key differences.
Price
The AirPods Pro are much pricier than the AirPods 3, but the added features may be worth the extra cost to some people.
Design
The AirPods Pro is a major design upgrade compared to the AirPods 2. The new design features shorter and wider stems that protrude less from your ear.
As a result, they sit more flush in your ear and are less likely to fall out. The AirPods 3 features a similar design to the AirPods Pro but has taller and narrower stems. The AirPods 3 also has a glossy finish as opposed to the matte finish of the AirPods Pro.
Comfort and Fit
The AirPods Pro feature an in-ear design with three different sizes of silicone tips that you can choose from to get a snug and comfortable fit. The AirPods 3 earbuds don’t come with different-sized tips, so you might not get as good of a fit.
However, the ear tips on the AirPods 3 are made of a soft, pliable material that should provide a comfortable fit for most people. The contoured sound port of the AirPods 3 sits flush against your ear, making the earbuds comfortable for use over long hours.
The key differences between the models are summarized in the table below:
| AirPods 3 | AirPods Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $249 |
| Wireless charging case | Included | Included |
| Battery life | 6 hours for earbuds and 30 hours with charging case | 5 hours for earbuds and 24 hours with charging case |
| IPX Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Charging Case | 1.83L x 0.84W x 2.14H inches, 1.34 ounces | 1.8L x 0.9W x 2.4H inches, 1.6 ounces |
| Durability | Sweat- and water-resistant case and earbuds | Sweat- and water-resistant earbuds |
| Additional Features | Spatial AudioAdaptive EQ, Automatic switching, Audio sharing, Live Listen, Lost Mode, MagSafe charging case | Active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio, Automatic switching, Live Listen, MagSafe charging case |