How Many AirPods Generations are There?

About 9 years ago, the famous Apple company unveiled its first wireless headphones called AirPods. Apple AirPods not only became very popular upon their introduction, but also set new standards in this field with this idea. This trend continued with the introduction of different generations of AirPods, and other leading brands in the technology world became likeable followers of these products. Different generations of Apple AirPods each offer unique features and a different experience. You Can also Buy Customized Airpods from AS2 electronics.

AirPods 1st, 2nd, 3rd Generation, Pro vs Max Differences

Apple’s AirPods lineup includes several models with key differences in design, features, and sound quality. The 1st and 2nd generation AirPods look nearly identical, offering a universal fit with stem controls, though the 2nd gen adds improved battery life and “Hey Siri” support. The 3rd generation AirPods have a more contoured design, spatial audio, and better sound, but no silicone tips. AirPods Pro introduce active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and a customizable in-ear fit with silicone tips for better sound isolation. At the high end, the AirPods Max are over-ear headphones with premium materials, top-tier noise cancellation, spatial audio, and the best audio fidelity of all models, but they are much bulkier and significantly more expensive.

AirPods 1st generation (2016)

Apple’s first AirPods were introduced in 2016 with Apple’s proprietary W1 chip, stable wireless connection and unparalleled integration with other Apple devices. These headphones were equipped with optical sensors and motion accelerometers, ear placement detection and auto play/pause capabilities. In fact, this generation, with its unique design and acceptable battery life, is considered a roadmap for the evolution of different generations of AirPods. Also You Can Buy any Mobile Accessories in dubai from as2.

Second-generation AirPods (2019)

The second-generation Apple AirPods were introduced with the lessons learned from the first generation with the H1 chip, faster wireless performance, shorter connection times, and support for the Hey Siri voice assistant.

Third-generation AirPods (2021)

The third-generation AirPods were introduced with a different look and shorter stems, touch controllers, and IPX4 standard (resistant to liquid penetration). The most important upgrade of this generation was support for Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking so that the user can experience three-dimensional and immersive sound. The use of the improved H1 chip also increased its sound quality and battery life.

Also Read: Guide to Buying Apple AirPods

Fourth-generation AirPods

The fourth and latest generation of Apple AirPods was introduced in 2024. The design of this model has been improved, with its speakers replaced with new drivers to provide better sound quality. This model uses the H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3, IP54 standard, a smaller charging case and a USB-C port. The more advanced version of the AirPods 4 has active noise cancellation, a charging case with a speaker for Find My, and with Qi and Apple Watch chargers. The charging case of this model has removed the magnet for connecting to MagSafe chargers.

AirPods Pro (1st generation 2019 and 2nd generation 2022)

The AirPods Pro introduced a completely different in-ear design and silicone tips and active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time among the different generations of AirPods. Transparency Mode in this model allowed you to hear the sound of your surroundings. In the second generation of AirPods Pro, Apple used the H2 chip to improve the noise cancellation process and increase sound quality and battery life. In addition, its charging case is equipped with Find My functionality and MagSafe wireless charging.

Also Read: Galaxy Buds 3 vs AirPods 3

AirPods Max (2020 and 2024)

AirPods Max are Apple’s over-ear headphones that are made of high-quality materials with a special design, beautiful and unique sound to establish their place among high-end headphones. These headphones are equipped with advanced active noise cancellation, transparency mode and spatial sound with dynamic head tracking. In 2024, AirPods Max experienced improvements and were equipped with Lossless audio capability via wireless connection and USB-C port.

AirPods Pro with AirPods 3rd generation: Which one should we buy?

Among the different generations of AirPods, comparing AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation is a close battle. Both headphones use a similar design with short stems, but AirPods Pro with a silicone head is more suitable for use on the move and sports activities. AirPods Pro are also equipped with active noise cancellation to give the user a better listening experience. Both models have high sound quality, of course, Apple boasts the performance of the 3rd generation AirPods microphone, and the design inside the AirPods Pro can make listening to music more enjoyable.

Also Read: What is the Newest AirPods?

How to find out which generation our AirPods are?

1. Through iPhone settings: Connect the AirPods to your device and go to the Settings section and select the General option. Now enter the About section. Find the name of your AirPods at the bottom of the page and touch it. All information about the AirPods will be displayed in this section.

2. Check the serial number of the AirPods or charging case: Each of the different generations of AirPods and their charging case has a unique serial number through which you can identify your AirPods model.

• AirPods Pro 2nd generation (2022): A2698, A2699, A2931
• AirPods 3rd generation (2021): A2564, A2565
• AirPods Max (2020): A2096
• AirPods Pro (2019): A2084, A2083
• AirPods 2nd generation (2019): A2032, A2031
• AirPods 1st generation (2017): A1523, A1722

Also Read: Difference Between AirPods 2nd and 3rd Generation

Release History and Features of Different AirPods Generations

• AirPods 1st generation September 2016: W1 chip, stable connection and smart sensors.
• AirPods 2nd generation March 2019: H1 chip, Hey Siri voice assistant and improved sound quality.
• AirPods 3rd generation October 2021: New design, spatial sound and IPX4 standard.
• AirPods 4th generation September 2024: Optimized design, H2 chip, USB-C port and ANC, Find My for the advanced model.
• AirPods Pro October 2019 and September 2022: In-ear design, ANC, Transparency Mode and H2 chip, improved ANC, sound quality, extended battery life and Find My for the second generation.
• AirPods Max (2020/2024): Over-ear headphones, advanced ANC, spatial sound and lossless, USB-C port for the 2024 model.

Are Older AirPods Still Worth Buying?

With the release of new AirPods, you may be wondering if the older models are still worth buying. Older AirPods are much cheaper and perform well for everyday use, but they lack advanced features. They do have shorter battery life and don’t support Apple’s latest technologies. If you’re on a budget, older AirPods can be a good option.

Also Read: AirPods 4 Vs AirPods 3 : Which One?

AirPods Max: A New Generation or a Different Product?

Apple’s AirPods Max are over-ear headphones that clearly distinguish themselves from other generations of AirPods with their build quality and features. Apple has taken a different approach with this product, with its aluminum body, large drivers and cushions, and other technical and appearance features. The AirPods Max is a high-end product that follows a different branch in the evolution of the AirPods. Hence, it can be distinguished from other generations of AirPods.

Which is the best generation of AirPods for iPhone users?

• First-generation AirPods: With iPhone 5 and later, iOS 10 or later.
• Second-generation AirPods: With iPhone 5s and later, iOS 12.2 or later.
• Third-generation AirPods: With iPhone SE (1st and 2nd generation) and 6s models with iOS 13 or later.
• Fourth-generation AirPods: All iPhone models with the latest version of iOS.
• AirPods Pro (1st generation): With iPhone SE (1st generation) and 6s or later, iOS 13.2 or later.
• AirPods Pro (2nd generation): All iPhone models with iOS 16 or later.
• AirPods Max: All iPhone models with iOS 14.3 or later.

Also Read: Important Differences Between AirPods and AirPods Pro

Which AirPods Generation are Compatible with Your Apple Devices?

For the best user experience, you should pay attention to the operating system version of your Apple computers, laptops, and the iOS version of your iPhone or iPad when choosing different generations of AirPods. Typically, new models are compatible with the latest versions of the operating system of Apple devices and offer all their features.

FAQ – AirPods Generations