Overview - All AirPod models with technical data

posted by Dennis on 2022-06-24, last updated:
Since we only have all PCs, tablets and iPhones on our site, but don't want to ignore the remaining Apple products, we have decided to write an overview of the remaining Apple products in the form of some articles. Today we start with the overview of all AirPods that Apple has brought to the market so far.

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So far, all Apple AirPods can only be connected via Bluetooth. They are not to be confused with the wired models, these are called EarPods and were included with the iPhones as a free bonus for many years.


Apple AirPods


Since the "normal" AirPods were the first to come onto the market, we are also starting with all previous generations of this model.

1. generation


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The first generation of Apple's AirPods were introduced in September 2016, along with the Apple Watch 2 and the iPhone 7. The first deliveries took place in December of the same year.

The AirPods themselves only weigh 4 grams, which makes them extremely comfortable to wear. It is not for nothing that the first generation was very popular. By the time the second generation was launched in 2019, the headphones were said to have sold over 65 million pairs.

The Apple W1 chip is installed in the first generation AirPods. This ensures communication with Apple's own end devices and supports the Bluetooth protocol in version 4.2.

Apple specifies the playback time as 5 hours for music or 2 hours for calls. With the included mobile charging case, the playback time can be increased to up to 24 hours (music) or 11 hours (phone calls). With a charging time of only 15 minutes, you can listen to music for 3 hours or make calls for a little more then an hour.

2. generation


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The second generation of Apple AirPods came out in April 2019. The newly developed Apple H1 chip was used here for the first time, which enables the AirPods to be activated and controlled with "Hey Siri". Furthermore, the transmission now takes place via Bluetooth in version 5.0.

Apple also gave the improved AirPods an optionally available, wirelessly chargeable charging case based on the QI standard. You can also buy the QI charging case individually so that you can switch to a wireless charging case afterwards. Since the dimensions of the AirPods have not changed, the new charging case can also be used with the first generation AirPods.

3. generation


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With the third generation of AirPods came a significant change. The design of the AirPods and the charging case has been slightly adapted to that of the AirPods Pro. This is accompanied by a slightly higher weight of 4.28 grams. The larger charging case now supports the MagSafe standard and can be charged wireless.

When it comes to audio playback, the third generation is placed behind the AirPods Pro. There is now support for 3D audio with dynamic head tracking, an adaptive equalizer, a dedicated woofer and a wider dynamic range amplifier.

A long-requested feature was that the AirPods should be protected from sweat and water. Apple has now implemented this in the third generation and classified the headphones according to IPX4. This makes them suitable for all sports that do not take place directly in the water.

Thanks to the newly integrated pressure sensor, the control directly on the AirPods is now much more extensive. Where in the predecessors you had to decide which action should be carried out with a double tap, with the third generation AirPods you can now carry out 3 different actions (press 1-3 times in a row) and Siri can also be activated with a long press.

AirPods playtime has increased up to 6 hours (music) and 4 hours (calls). With the mobile MagSafe charging case, a maximum playback time of 30 (music) or 20 (calls) hours can be achieved. 5 minutes of charging is enough to continue operating the AirPods for about 1 hour.



1. Generation2. Generation3. Generation
Apple ChipApple W1Apple H1Apple H1
BluetoothVersion 4.2Version 5.0Version 5.0
Microphones2 pieces2 pieces3 pieces
Enhanced Audio PlaybackNoNoYes
Active Noise CancelingNoNoNo
Transparency ModeNoNoNo
In-Ear SensorOpticalOpticalSkin Detection
ControlTouch SensorTouch SensorPressure Sensor
WaterproofNoNoYes, IPX4
Music playtime5 hours5 hours6 hours
Call time3 hours3 hours4 hours
Music playback with charging case24 hours24 hours30 hours
Talking time with charging case11 hours11 hours20 hours
Wireless charging (charging case)NoOptionalYes, MagSafe
Height AirPods40.5 mm40.5 mm30.8 mm
Width AirPods16.5 mm16.5 mm18.3 mm
Depth AirPods18.0 mm18.0 mm19.2 mm
Weight AirPods4 g4 g4.3 g
Height charging case53.5 mm53.5 mm46.4 mm
Width charging case44.3 mm44.3 mm54.4 mm
Depth charging case21.3 mm21.3 mm21.4 mm
Weight charging case38 g38.2 g37.9 g
Colorwhitewhitewhite
ReleaseDecember 2016April 2019October 2021


Apple AirPods Pro


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Released in October 2019, the AirPods Pro come in a slightly different shape than the first and second generation AirPods. They are a bit wider and deeper, but not that high. The weight is significantly higher at 5.4g compared to the 4g of the AirPods Gen 1+2.

The AirPods Pro are the first AirPods to have a MagSafe charging case that can be charged with a MagSafe charger, but also with a normal QI charger. Alternatively, it can be charged via the lightning connector on the bottom of the case.

The Pro in the name comes from the improved audio playback, but the main difference to the normal AirPods is the noise canceling and transparent mode. With noise-canceling, ambient noise can fade out very well. The transparent mode has exactly the opposite effect, you can hear your surroundings clearly despite the audio playback. In order for the modes to work perfectly, it is necessary for the AirPods to sit optimally in the ear cup. The delivery includes 3 different large silicone tips to ensure that.

The playback time is quite similar to the first and second generation AirPods. The AirPods Pro have an audio playback time of 4.5 hours and a maximum talk time of 3.5 hours. Together with the charging case, up to 24 hours of audio playback and 18 hours of talk time can be achieved. 5 minutes in the charging case are enough to be able to use the AirPods again for about 1 hour.

The charging case can be recharged using a lightning cable or a wireless charger according to the QI standard. In October 2021, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro charging case now also has the option of being charged via MagSafe. They are also the first AirPods to be classified according to IPX4 and are therefore protected from sweat and splash water.


AirPods Pro
Apple ChipApple H1
BluetoothVersion 5.0
Microphones3 pieces
Improved Audio PlaybackYes
Active Noise CancelingYes
Transparency ModeYes
In-Ear SensorOptical
ControlPressure Sensor
WaterproofYes (IPX4)
Music playtime4.5 hours
Talking time3.5 hours
Music playback with charging case24 hours
Talking time with charging case18 hours
Wireless charging (charging case)Yes (MagSafe, QI)
Height AirPods30.9 mm
Width AirPods21.8 mm
Depth AirPods24.0 mm
Weight AirPods5.4 g
Height charging case45.2 mm
Width charging case60.6 mm
Depth charging case21.7 mm
Weight charging case45.6 g
Colorwhite
ReleaseOctober 2019


Apple AirPods Max


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After Apple dominated the market for in-ear headphones with the AirPods, the first over-ear headphones from Apple appeared in December 2020 with the AirPods Max. They are to compete with well-known manufacturers such as Sennheiser and Bose and also restructure the market shares here. In June 2022, it is not yet possible to say whether this has been successful, as nothing is known about the sales figures so far.

The Apple AirPods Max features are very similar to the AirPods Pro, but the active noise canceling works much better here. This is ensured by the large ear cups that shield the ear ideally and the 9 microphones. 8 of them are directly responsible for noise suppression. Of course, the transparency mode is also on board, so that you can always hear everything in traffic.

The audio quality is of course significantly better than with the AirPods Pro due to the size. You can simulate a lot with the latest technology, but larger drivers bring with them significantly more possibilities.

A disadvantage is that the headphones are not protected against moisture. If you use them on the go, you should therefore protect them from rain and other liquids.

The headphones are not controlled via a sensor as with the in-ear AirPods, but via a digital crown, as is already known from the Apple Watch, and a separate button to switch between the playback modes ANC, transparency, normal .

The biggest advantage, on the other hand, is the incredibly long battery life, which Apple claims is up to 20 hours. With a charging time of 5 minutes, the AirPods Max can be used again for 1.5 hours. The Apple AirPods Max can only be charged via the integrated Lightning port on the bottom of the right ear cup.

A smart case is included to protect the headphones. This had to take a lot of criticism because it doesn't look very Apple like and isn't really practical either. But there is also a practical reason, as soon as you put the AirPods Max in the case, the standby mode is activated automatically, otherwise this only happens after 5 minutes. After 18 hours in the case, the ultra-low-power mode is activated, so the headphones then consume almost no power at all. If you leave headphones without a case, this mode only activates after 72 hours.

A highlight of the headphones is that the AirPods Max are the first Apple headphones to come onto the market in different colors. You can choose from the colors silver, space grey, sky blue, pink and green.


AirPods Pro
Apple Chip2x Apple H1
BluetoothVersion 5.0
Microphones9 pieces
Improved Audio PlaybackYes
Active Noise CancelingYes
Transparency ModeYes
In-Ear SensorOptical
ControlDigital Crown button
WaterproofNo
Music playtime20 hours
Talking time20 hours
Height AirPods187.3 mm
Width AirPods168.6 mm
Depth AirPods83.4 mm
Weight AirPods384.8 g
Weight case134.5 g
ColorSilver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, Green
ReleaseDecember 2020



Compatibility


You can read about which devices the individual AirPods are compatible with in the technical data directly on the Apple website. All devices are listed below with which the AirPods can be operated with their full range of functions. Below are the direct links to the individual products:

AirPods
AirPods 1st generation
AirPods 2nd generation
AirPods 3rd generation

AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro 1st Gen


AirPods Max
AirPods Max 1st Gen


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