Technologies
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: The Biggest Differences
Active noise cancellation is the biggest benefit you’ll get from buying the AirPods Pro 2 over the AirPods 3.
If you’re trying to decide between Apple’s AirPods 3 and its AirPods Pro 2, the biggest questions are whether you want active noise cancellation in a noise-isolating design or open earbuds that don’t require you to jam silicone ear tips into your ears. Yes, there’s a price difference — the AirPods Pro 2 sell for about $200 online while the AirPods 3 cost about $150. But with only about $50 separating the two AirPods models, it’s probably more important to focus on those key differences rather than dwelling too much on their price.
Apple has bridged the gap between its Pro and regular AirPods by upgrading the AirPods 3’s design — it now looks more like the Pro’s design minus the silicone ear tips — and giving it the same IPX4 splash-proof water resistance rating. Additionally, the AirPods 3, like the AirPods Pro and Pro 2, also have Apple’s spatial audio with head-tracking feature.
Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023
But there are still certain benefits you can only get on the $249 AirPods Pro 2, the biggest being active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Multiple ear tip sizes, the ability to swipe up and down to control music volume and ultra wideband support are also exclusive to the Pro 2. But noise cancellation will likely make the biggest impact in everyday use, and it’s the most important factor to consider.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $249 | $169 (Lightning case) |
| Price (UK) | £249 | £179 (Lightning case) |
| Price (AU) | AU$399 | AU$279 (Lightning case) |
| Weight (earbuds) | 0.19 ounce | 0.15 ounce |
| Audio features | Active noise cancellation, Adaptive transparency, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking | Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking |
| Audio technology | Adaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier, vent system for pressure equalization | Adaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier |
| Durability | IPX4 sweat and water resistant | IPX4 sweat and water resistant |
| Charging | MagSafe or Lightning | MagSafe or Lightning (extra $10 for MagSafe case) |
| Multiple ear tips | Yes | No |
| Chip | H2 chip, U1 chip in charging case | H1 chip |
| Battery life (earbuds) | 6 hours of listening time | 6 hours of listening time |
| Battery life (case) | 30 hours of listening time | 30 hours of listening time |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone | Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone |
| Sensors | Skin detect sensor, motion detecting accelerometer, speech detecting accelerometer, touch control | Skin detect sensor, motion detecting accelerometer, speech detecting accelerometer, Force sensor |
| Controls | Hey Siri, touch controls | Hey Siri, Force sensor |
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: Design and case
The AirPods Pro 2.
The biggest difference in terms of design is that the $169 AirPods don’t have interchangeable silicone tips like the AirPods Pro 2, which include four sizes to choose from. The AirPods 3 are also lighter than the AirPods Pro 2 at 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams) versus 0.19 ounce (5.3 grams).
The AirPods 3 and new AirPods Pro share some similarities when it comes to design, although it’s very easy to tell them apart. The AirPods Pro 2’s stems, for example, are noticeably shorter than those on the AirPods 3. But both models are sweat and water resistant, which could make them more appealing than the $129 regular AirPods for those who want to wear them during exercise.
The third-generation AirPods.
The case for the AirPods 3 sort of looks like a cross between the case for the standard AirPods and that of the AirPods Pro. It’s much shorter and wider than the entry-level AirPods case, but it’s not as wide as the holster for the AirPods Pro. You can also charge the case for the AirPods 3 or the AirPods Pro via Apple’s wireless MagSafe charger, or by plugging it in with a Lightning cable. But you’ll have to pay an extra $10 to get the MagSafe wireless charging case bundled with the AirPods 3. The MagSafe-compatible case for the AirPods Pro 2 also has a lanyard loop, unlike the AirPods 3’s case.
The second-generation AirPods Pro’s case also has another capability: ultra wideband support. That essentially means the case has a built-in AirTag for easier location tracking.
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AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: Audio
The AirPods Pro 2 have active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
You’ll still have to splurge on Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds to get active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Since the second-generation AirPods Pro have Apple’s new H2 chip, they can cancel up to twice as much noise as the previous AirPods Pro, according to Apple’s claims. Transparency Mode has also gotten an upgrade on the second-generation model. The new chip can reduce loud noises from your surroundings when in Transparency Mode, which should make sounds like a passing vehicle seem less jarring.
That new H2 chip also brings improved audio to the AirPods Pro 2, further distinguishing them from the AirPods 3. As my colleague David Carnoy wrote in his review, the H2’s computational power helps the AirPods Pro process a broader range of frequencies.
You’ll also get swipe controls for managing volume levels on the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods 3 just have Apple’s force sensors, which you can press to skip ahead, pause music or answer calls.
But both the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 have dynamic spatial audio and adaptive EQ. The former is essentially virtual surround sound, while the latter adjusts the sound to your ears.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: Battery life
The AirPods 3 (pictured) and AirPods Pro 2 offer similar battery life.
Battery life is similar for both models, although there are some slight differences. Both earbuds should provide up to 6 hours of listening time, according to Apple’s claims. But you’ll get 5.5 hours of battery life when using spatial audio and head tracking on the AirPods Pro 2, while the AirPods 3 offer slightly shorter 5-hour battery life with that surround sound feature enabled. Apple also claims the AirPods Pro 2 provides 4.5 hours of talk time, while the AirPods 3 offer up to 4 hours.
The case for both earbuds should provide up to 30 hours of listening time, says Apple. But when it comes to talk time, you can expect to get 24 hours from the AirPods Pro 2’s case and 20 hours from the AirPods 3’s case. Five minutes in each case is expected to replenish around one hour of listening time or roughly 1 hour of talk time.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 3: How to choose
The AirPods Pro 2 are for those who want active noise cancellation, better audio and a more customizable fit. You’ll also get some other perks, like the ability to track them down more easily should they get lost, thanks to the U1 chip. The AirPods 3 are a more suitable choice if you don’t care about noise cancellation and prefer earbuds with an open design (and yes, they cost about $50 less, so they do offer some appeal to those on tighter budgets). At the same time, the AirPods 3 still have more to offer than the AirPods 2, which lack features like water resistance, adaptive EQ and spatial audio with head-tracking.
The new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have «double» the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.
Note that while Apple has discontinued the , they’ll remain on sale until supplies are exhausted. However, most people should get this newer model if they can afford it. The AirPods Pro 2 continue to see small discounts, dipping to as low as $223 during Amazon’ Early Access Prime event in October.
Take one look at the new design of the third-gen AirPods, and the first thing you’ll probably think is: «Those look like the AirPods Pro without ear tips.» You wouldn’t be wrong. While they’re more fraternal than identical twins, the AirPods 3 are shaped like the AirPods Pro, with the same shorter stems and same pinch controls as those of the Pro. Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It’s much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
More headphone recommendations
- Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2023
- Best Back-to-School Headphones for 2023
- Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds for 2023
- Best Wireless Earphones and Wireless Headphones for Making Calls
- Best Headphones for 2023
- Best Cheap Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones Under $100
- Best Headphones for Running in 2023
- Best Over-Ear Headphones for 2023
- Best Cheap Earbuds and Headphones
- Best Sony Headphones for 2023
- Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives for Less: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro and More
Technologies
Grab TCL’s Already-Affordable and Eye-Catching Phone for Even Less With a $70 Discount
This $70 Big Spring Sale discount drops the price to just $180, but there’s no telling how long the offer will last.
With a list price of $250, the TCL NxtPaper is an impressive budget phone that, in many ways, outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G at a similar price. It’s even better now that Amazon has dropped it by $70 during its Big Spring Sale, which brings the price of both black and white models to just $180.
There is no telling how long this deal will last, however, so be sure to get your order in sooner rather than later.
This phone hits top marks for everyday use. Its screen is large, the 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, and the battery lasted CNET writer Tyler Graham throughout the entire day, even with frequent use. If you take a lot of selfies, you’ll enjoy a big 32-megapixel upgrade to the front-facing camera, though the camera system is otherwise similar to the TCL 50 series phones.
The shiny bonus features on the TCL NxtPaper 60 XE are the eponymous NxtPaper digital ink and e-reader modes and cloud-based TCL AI. You may not use these features often, but they are solid value adds to this budget phone. The 60 XE is working off a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus processor with 8GB of memory.
«Compared to other phones in a similar price range, the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G delivers where it counts for day-to-day use,» Graham wrote in his review, «and its impressive bells and whistles sweetened my experience with the phone.»
MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$749 (save $250)
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$298 (save $102)
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$499 (save $300)
Why this deal matters
The TCL NxtPaper 60 XE is one of the most unusual smartphones we have reviewed recently. It definitely is worth considering if you’re on the lookout for a new budget handset. It is already fairly inexpensive, but this Spring Sale deal makes it a no-brainer for those looking for something a little different. Just make sure you get your order in sooner rather than later, as this deal could end at any time.
Technologies
Anthropic’s Claude Can Now Take Over Your Computer to Do Tasks for You
The developer is boosting Claude’s agentic capabilities in an apparent effort to compete with platforms like OpenClaw.
You can now let Claude take control of your computer to perform tasks like sending you a file you left on your hard drive, the AI’s developer Anthropic announced Monday. For the feature to work, you just need to be on a qualifying subscription plan.
In the wake of the viral explosion of the open-source OpenClaw framework earlier this year, Anthropic is the latest developer to deliver a tool that enables an AI model to act more independently.
OpenClaw has spawned an entire ecosystem of «claws,» or AI tools that can take simple commands and perform them somewhat autonomously on your computer or with your tools or systems. Nvidia last week debuted NemoClaw, its framework for easily setting up and installing OpenClaw, with some security settings.
Anthropic says that Claude will look for the right tools to complete the task at hand via connectors with apps like Google Calendar or Slack. If the tool or connector isn’t available, Claude can manually perform the task by typing or moving the cursor, as if it were using the keyboard and mouse. It can use programs like your web browser, dev tools and open files.
When it’s performing these tasks, it can use a computer as you normally would — by scrolling and clicking around. The only difference is that Claude will always ask for permission beforehand. You can stop Claude from performing a task at any time.
Giving your chatbot the keys to your computer can be convenient for certain tasks, but it can leave your computer vulnerable to attacks. Experts told us one major worry with agentic AI is that it can take major, sometimes dramatic actions quickly and with little warning. Claws can also be hijacked by malicious actors, who can use your personal data and systems in ways you don’t want.
Anthropic says it implemented safeguards to minimize risks like prompt injections. The system will automatically scan for this and more vulnerabilities as they are implemented.
Despite some of its efforts to keep Claude’s computer use safe, Anthropic also provides a warning to users. The feature is new and may contain errors, and the company suggests not using apps that handle sensitive data — so much so that some of these apps are disabled by default.
The research preview is available now for Claude Pro and Claude Max subscribers and limited to computers running MacOS.
Anthropic says the new computer-use feature works well with Dispatch, which allows you to assign tasks to Claude using your phone. Such tasks include checking your email every morning or opening up a Claude Cowork or Claude Code session.
The combination of computer use for Claude and Dispatch enables you to do even more while you’re not even around. Anthropic says the feature combo can create a morning briefing or run tests, for example.
Given that both features are new, some complex tasks might not work the first time. Anthropic said it’s releasing this research preview to gain early insight on where it needs the most attention to become an even more powerful tool.
Technologies
Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for March 28, #1743
Here are hints and the answer for today’s Wordle for March 28, No. 1,743.
Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Wordle puzzle is a tricky one, with a double letter. Sherlock Holmes fans, you might get this one right away. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.
Read more: New Study Reveals Wordle’s Top 10 Toughest Words of 2025
Today’s Wordle hints
Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.
Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats
Today’s Wordle answer has one repeated letter.
Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels
Today’s Wordle answer has two vowels, but one is the repeated letter, so you’ll see it twice.
Wordle hint No. 3: First letter
Today’s Wordle answer begins with A.
Wordle hint No. 4: Last letter
Today’s Wordle answer ends with T.
Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning
Today’s Wordle answer can refer to something that is already underway or happening.
TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER
Today’s Wordle answer is AFOOT.
Yesterday’s Wordle answer
Yesterday’s Wordle answer, March 27, No. 1742, was IVORY.
Recent Wordle answers
March 23, No. 1738: SERIF
March 24, No. 1739: BROOD
March 25, No. 1740: WISER
March 26, No. 1741: BEFIT
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
Don’t be afraid to use our tip sheet ranking all the letters in the alphabet by frequency of uses. In short, you want starter words that lean heavy on E, A and R, and don’t contain Z, J and Q.
Some solid starter words to try:
ADIEU
TRAIN
CLOSE
STARE
NOISE
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