Earlier this week, Apple introduced a new version of its most popular wireless earbuds: AirPods Pro 3. While you’ve likely heard of its headlining features like the heart rate monitor and 2x the noise cancellation, there’s another interesting feature beneath the surface.
With AirPods Pro 2, Apple introduced a long-requested feature: the ability to track the case location on Find My. Prior to these AirPods, if your AirPods weren’t in the case – you couldn’t find them. Now, you can, thanks to Apple implementing the U1 chip in the case.
Now, with AirPods Pro 3, Apple has stepped that up a notch – by implementing the U2 chip in the case. Prior to last week’s keynote, Apple never referred to this chip as U2 (for obvious reasons if you’re an avid Apple fan) – but now they are. If you check Apple’s compare page, you’ll see as follows:
With the U2 chip, you can precisely track down your AirPods Pro 3 from a much longer distance. In theory, the U2 chip has triple the range compared to the U1 chip. U2 was first introduced in iPhone 15, where the feature is used to help you precisely find your friends in Find My. If you’re at a theme park for example. it can be useful.
Apple is working on a new version of AirTag set to debut within the year with the U2 chip, bringing much enhanced precision finding to Apple’s item tracker as well.
If you’re interested in picking up AirPods Pro 3, you can pre-order them on Amazon for $249. They’ll be available on September 19th. Outside of the new heart rate sensor and double the active noise cancellation performance, they also offer up to 10 hours of battery life in transparency mode, compared to 6 hours of AirPods Pro 2. They’re a neat new product.
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