This article of Apple Airpods 3 Vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro provides a quick and brief comparison of the specifications in three areas where one of them is a clear winner.
In summary, Jabra Elite 7 Pro is a clear winner and a better alternative than the Apple Airpods 3 by comparing the benefit versus the cost. We are not saying the Airpods 3 is bad, but the price point is high for the lack of design features.
Buy Apple AirPods 3 | Buy Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Compare Size and Form Factor
| Tech Specs | Apple Airpods 3 – $179 | Jabra Elite 7 Pro – $199 |
| Size (each earbud) | 30.8×18.3×19.2mm | 19.1x16x17.6mm |
| Weight (each earbud) | 4.28g | 5.4g |
| Earbuds IP Rating | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Control Type | Touch | Button |
| Color | White | Titanium black, black, gold beige |
In the above table for Apple Airpods 3 Vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro, we have placed the price in the header so it is easier to compare the design specifications versus cost. This is to substantiate our earlier opinion:
Buy Apple AirPods 3 | Buy Jabra Elite 7 Pro
At just $20 more, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro has a smaller form factor that is IP57 rated for dust and 1-meter water resistance.
| IPX4 (Airpods 3) | Untested against solids | Protected from water spray from any direction, and including rain. |
| IP57 (Elite 7 Pro) | Dust protected. Dust must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment. | Protected from water for 30mins. Depending on the size of the test sample, the highest point must be >150mm below the water surface, or the lowest point must be >1m. |
For those users who prefer positive control, they would also prefer button than touch operation. Furthermore, Jabra Elite 7 Pro comes in four colours choices whereas Apple Airpods only has the classic white colour.
Winner: Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Buy Apple AirPods 3 | Buy Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Compare Audio Design Features
| Tech Specs | Apple Airpods 3 – $179 | Jabra Elite 7 Pro – $199 |
| Driver | 13mm | 6mm Re-Engineered |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | No | Adjustable |
| Transparency (Hear Through) | No | Yes |
| Features | Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking | Peakstop, voice guidance, equalizer |
For earbuds, the quality of sound is not determined by the size of the sound driver. For example, the Sony WF-1000XM4 also has a 6mm driver but it has one of the best sounds in the industry.
Buy Sony WF-1000XM4 Earbuds
Based on our research, it seems that the size of the miniaturised sound driver does not affect the sound quality directly, especially one that is placed next to the ear. However, some reviewers did comment that larger drivers do deliver clearer and better bass. As far as we know, those home theatre woofers have bigger drivers than the tweeters, so it makes sense that larger drivers deliver a stronger bass.
Next, the $179 Apple Airpods 3 does not have both ANC and Transparency. At $179, we expect to have both functions, but in the worst case, it must have Transparency (hear through) because it is almost the basic requirement for most earbuds at this price level. We opine that the lack of Transparency function is the greatest design blunder for Apple Airpods 3.
Spatial audio is an immersive surround sound experience that also uses the built-in gyro and accelerometer sensors to track your head position to adjust the sound location relative to the screen.
| Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking brings theatre-like sound from the movie or video you’re watching, so that sound seems like it’s coming from all around you. |
It is probably good to have, but we would not pay more just to have this function unless we buy the earbud mainly to watch movies. There is no point in having spatial audio when the earbuds do not even have any noise cancelling and hear through. The spatial audio is perhaps the only design advantage for the Airpods 3 vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro, however, we opine that it is not a “winning specification”.
Winner: Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Compare Battery Life
| Tech Specs | Apple Airpods 3 – $179 | Jabra Elite 7 Pro – $199 |
| Music Time (ANC Off) | 5h (spatial on) | 10h |
| Music Time (ANC On) | NA (no ANC function) | 8h |
| Talktime Time (ANC Off) | 4h | 6h |
| Total Time + Charge Case (ANC On) | 30h (music) | 30h |
| Fast Charge For 1-hour usage | 5mins | 5mins |
Overall in terms of battery life, Apple Airpods 3 vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro would be a tie based on the total battery life including the charging case. However, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro lasts significantly longer per charge by at least 50% and up to 100% more. Even with ANC turned on, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro has a stated battery life of 8 hours.
Winner: Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Buy Jabra Elite 7 Pro | Buy Apple AirPods Pro
Review Summary
The comparison shows that Jabra Elite 7 Pro is definitely a better choice by design, when compared to the Apple Airpods 3. Ofcourse, Apple fans or those who value Spatial Audio above everything else will still find value in the Airpods 3. Everyone has their own unique needs.
Once again, we are not saying the Airpods 3 is bad, but the price point is high for the lack of design features that could match the competition. This is just a design review for sharing different opinions and if your pocket can afford it, you can even buy both earbuds.
