Apple AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case review

AirPods (3rd generation) with the Lightning Charging Case pair Apple’s 2021 open-fit earbuds with a wired-only Lightning case. The earpieces are the A2565/A2564 pair; the case is A2897. This review evaluates that exact case package and not the distinct MagSafe Charging Case bundle. It is based on Apple’s specifications and identification instructions, not personal listening, fitting or battery tests.

A shaped open earbud, not a sealed tip

AirPods 3 use a short-stem, contoured hard-shell shape but do not have a replaceable silicone tip that seals the ear canal. Apple describes a redesigned fit, yet published shape or weight cannot tell an individual whether the earbuds will stay seated or feel comfortable. If you want an open design, that may be worth comparing with AirPods 2 and AirPods 4; if you rely on a tip seal for passive isolation or a more stable fit, this is a different category.

Apple does not list Active Noise Cancellation for AirPods 3. The H1 chip, Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio are not evidence of ANC. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking can change how supported media is rendered on compatible Apple devices, but it does not seal the ear or cancel the room. Apple’s technical specifications document these features and separately list no ANC mode for this package. It is an open listening option rather than a candidate for someone who needs electronic cancellation on an airplane or in a noisy workspace.

The A2897 case is the decisive package difference

Apple identifies the third-generation earbuds as A2565 and A2564. Its support page describes case A2897 as the Lightning Charging Case introduced in 2022, with a Lightning port and a front status light. Apple’s comparison page separately names this package and the MagSafe Charging Case variant. The Lightning version charges by cable; it does not have the documented Qi/MagSafe charging route of A2566. A seller photo of buds beside a closed white case may not reveal which case is included, so check the exact listing title and, when possible, the case model number.

Apple lists the earbuds, Lightning Charging Case, Lightning-to-USB-C charging cable and documentation in the package. That cable connects to a USB-C power source, not directly to a USB-A port unless you add a suitable cable or adapter. Apple does not include a wall power adapter in its described contents. Before buying, check the connector already available where you intend to charge; the earbuds’ Bluetooth connection has no bearing on the cable needed for the case.

Published listening time

Apple lists up to six hours per charge for listening, reduced to up to five hours when Personalized Spatial Audio is enabled. With the case, the total is up to 30 hours. A five-minute case charge is listed as providing around one hour of listening. These numbers are Apple maximums under test conditions, not a guarantee for a particular listener. Apple’s battery notes explain that settings, environment and use change the outcome; the age and prior charging history of any earlier-generation item add a separate condition question.

For comparison, AirPods 2 were listed at five hours per charge and more than 24 hours with their case, while AirPods 3 add the force sensor, spatial-audio features, Adaptive EQ and an IPX4 water-resistance statement. Those are real documented generation differences, but they do not settle an individual fit question or prove that the later model sounds better to you. The package reviewed here still lacks ANC, wireless case charging and a sealed ear tip.

IPX4 is limited, and codec details remain open

Apple says both AirPods 3 and either included case are IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance. Its guidance is not a swimming, showering or waterproof claim: resistance can diminish, and the earbuds and case should be wiped dry before returning the buds or charging. This package’s rating is broader than an earbuds-only claim, but it remains a limited care rating.

AirPods 3 use Bluetooth 5.0. The official pages reviewed here do not name a general music codec or a simultaneous two-source Bluetooth multipoint capability. Personalized Spatial Audio and Apple’s account-based device switching are separate functions; neither should be converted into a codec or generic multipoint specification. Apple permits Bluetooth headphone use with non-Apple hosts but notes feature limitations. Confirm the exact feature and operating-system support on the phone, tablet or computer you plan to use.

Who should choose this Lightning edition?

This package is worth evaluating if an open fit, a wired Lightning case, IPX4 coverage for both earbuds and case, and AirPods 3 controls are a good match. It is not the right edition if wireless charging is essential: that is the A2566 MagSafe case package. It is also a poor match for a USB-C-only case requirement, ANC, sealed fit, or an essential codec or multipoint capability not established by Apple’s reviewed documentation.

• Match A2565/A2564 earbuds with the A2897 Lightning Charging Case; A2566 is the MagSafe case, not a synonym.
• Check the box has the Lightning-to-USB-C cable and that your power source has USB-C or the adapter you need.
• Confirm whether a seller is offering the correct package and condition; do not use a family-level image as proof of the case variant.
• Keep to Apple’s moisture guidance: IPX4 is not permission to swim, shower or charge wet equipment.
• Try the open fit with your own ears and host before relying on it for long sessions; this review is not a fit trial.

Bottom line: AirPods 3 with A2897 deliver the same third-generation earbuds as the MagSafe edition, but make case charging a Lightning-cable task. The actual fit is personal; the clear purchase decision is whether this wired-only case, non-ANC open earbud and Apple’s IPX4 care limits fit your routine.