Achieving simplicity isn’t simple at all. Without a constant stream of commitment, energy and innovation things can quickly get complicated, which Apple knows well. AirPods (third generation) celebrates simplicity, champions it and wins a place in the ears despite not having a couple of features that are integral to its siblings in the series.

Shorter stems, more angled stems. No silicone tips (it’s an open design), yet a great fit. No active noise cancellation, but full steam ahead with other new tech chops. The new AirPods embraces users without stepping on the stems of other AirPods that are already there, catering to different sets of audiences.

So, who is the new AirPods for? Definitely for a person who is annoyed by silicone tips or rarely needs ANC. It’s about making zero compromises with audio or call quality but at the same time, enjoying longer battery life and comfort. It’s for those who have become entwined in the tech vines offered by Apple Music or feel at home while watching films on the iPad. That’s where these pods shine.

What you get is the same iconic style but an edgier design which sits in the ear but not slightly deep in the ear canals like with the Pro version. There are no silicone tips; good riddance. Yet, not once did the new pods shake, rattle or roll out of the ears even after walking unsteady streets for hours. Having a force sensor mechanism helps to navigate controls easily.

A gentle squeeze on either stems, which are 33 per cent shorter, pauses or plays music; squeeze twice to skip to the next song and squeeze three times to go back. You can press and hold the sensor to bring up Siri or use ‘Hey Siri’ for hands-free commands. It’s as simple as setting up the AirPods. Open the box and it automatically pairs with your iPhone or iPad, following which iCloud ensures everything is under control throughout your Apple universe.

AirPods (third gen) is comfortable on the ears and fits perfectly well

What I am missing is colours. Yes, white is iconic but the Apple world has more than a splash of colours, be it in way of the iPhone, iPad, Mac or HomePod Mini. So, colours will just add to the appeal.

Terrific soundstage

Apple has slowly made its foundation deeper in the music world to the point that AirPods and Apple Music go hand in hand. It feels terrific, especially now that spatial audio runs in the DNA of the streaming service.

With AirPods Pro and Max it feels like a 3D soundstage is in the head. Here you get the same magic. However much you move your head, the sound appears to move with you. It’s something that can’t be explained unless you try it out. The overall feel is not claustrophobic and I really like the experience, especially the larger soundstage. The dynamic head tracking feature is a treat. As you walk around, the audio follows you, making it super useful during FaceTime group calling (also helped by the AAC-ELD codec) or while watching a film on the iPad when you move your head from one side to the other. And it’s particularly useful when someone’s asleep and you want to enjoy spatial sound.

There’s no active noise cancellation, no conversation boost, which all require expensive components of the Pro and Max. That’s fine. What users still get is adaptative EQ, like on the Pro and the Max. It ensures that music is adjusted not just for the unique shape of your ear but also when one’s relative position keeps changing.

Where Apple wins is through features that matter, like the ability to use a custom audiogram. If you have a nearly symmetric audiogram, Headphone Accommodations will take the average of the two ears and fit the left and right audio channels with that profile. If you have an asymmetric audiogram, it will fit the left and right audio channels for your better ear.

The devil is in the details. There is a skin detection sensor which can tell the difference between your ears and, say, pant pockets or table surface. Once you keep it on the table, the pods know where it is and won’t play music.

When it comes to calls, Apple remains the undisputed champion, especially because there is a new codec for better HD voice. There is mesh on both buds to tackle wind-related noises.

In terms of audio, bass is boomy while highs are crisp. The overall sound appears more full-bodied and the tuning is such that a wide range of genres are tackled without making any big compromises.

Stayin’ alive

Each bud supports six hours of battery life, which is up by an hour, and 30 hours with the case. A five-minute charge ensures you get one hour of listening time. Plus, you get to charge the device on a MagSafe puck. There is IPX4 certification, meaning it’s water and sweat resistance and that includes the box.

Be it audiobooks, podcasts, music streaming, video streaming, calls or even gaming, the new AirPods blows one’s mind by its level of ambient computing. Yet, there is Apple’s unmatched simplicity and convenience. Buying AirPods (third generation) is a no-brainer for anybody who lives and breathes music.

At a glance

Device: Apple AirPods (third generation)

Price: Rs 18,500

High notes

• Excellent soundstage and bass

• Better battery life

• Spatial audio

• IPX4 water resistance

Muffled notes

• No colour options