Sell my Apple AirPods (3rd gen)
Trade-in value up to $12 (flawless) · paid quickly · free certified data wipe
Estimated market value · we refine it daily from live competitor offers
Released in 2021 at $169, your Apple AirPods (3rd gen) is worth real money today. Earbuds like the AirPods (3rd gen) are quick, easy sells when reset with the charging case included. BuyBackBear gives you a transparent quote in seconds, pays more than carrier bill-credit deals, wipes your data to NIST 800-88 standards with a free certificate, and pays you quickly after we inspect it. Lock today's price below.
What's my AirPods (3rd gen) worth? A AirPods (3rd gen) in flawless, unlocked condition is worth up to $12 with BuyBackBear today, about 7% of its $169 launch price. Offers range from $5 for a broken unit up to $12 flawless, and we pay cash quickly after we inspect it. Released in 2021 (about 5 years ago), the AirPods (3rd gen) keeps losing value as newer models launch, selling now locks today's price.
Model numbers (printed on the back): A2566, A2897, check yours so we quote the exact variant.
AirPods (3rd gen): key trade-in facts
- Top payout (flawless, unlocked)
- $12
- Broken / won't power on
- from $5
- Released
- 2021
- Launch price
- $169 (7% retained)
- Payment
- PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or check
- Shipping
- Free prepaid label, both ways
- Quote lock
- 14 days
- Data
- NIST 800-88 certified wipe
Prices refresh daily. Machine-readable: live price JSON.
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Real cash vs a carrier trade-in
Your AirPods (3rd gen) offer is paid as real cash you can spend anywhere. A carrier “trade-in” of a similar size is bill credit spread over 24 to 36 months, and only while you buy a new phone and stay on their plan.
- Real cash by PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or check
- Yours to spend anywhere, no strings
- We beat any competitor’s written quote by $2
- Spread over 24 to 36 monthly bill credits
- Only if you buy a new phone and stay on plan
- Leave early and the remaining credit disappears
| Condition | What it means |
|---|---|
| Flawless | Like new, no scratches, fully functional, no screen marks. |
| Good | Light wear, minor scratches. Screen and body intact, fully working. |
| Fair | Visible scratches or scuffs but no cracks. Fully functional. |
| Cracked screen | Cracked glass or display but the device still powers on and works. |
| Broken | Major damage, cracked back, bad screen, or faults. Still powers on. |
| Won't power on | Dead or won't boot, sold for parts. |
About the AirPods (3rd gen)
The Apple AirPods 3 represent a significant upgrade in Apple's popular earbud lineup, offering an immersive audio experience for users within the Apple ecosystem. They feature Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear, and Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, creating a theater-like experience for movies and music. Designed for comfort and a secure fit, these earbuds are also sweat and water resistant, making them ideal for workouts and outdoor activities. The included MagSafe Charging Case provides convenient wireless charging and extends the listening time significantly. Powered by the H1 chip, AirPods 3 deliver seamless pairing, quick switching between Apple devices, and 'Hey Siri' support. With improved battery life over previous generations and a redesigned contoured fit, they offer a premium listening experience that balances advanced features with everyday usability. Their integration with Apple devices is unparalleled, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience.
- ✓Adaptive EQ
- ✓Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- ✓MagSafe Charging Case
- ✓IPX4 sweat and water resistant
- ✓Apple H1 chip
- ✓Force sensor controls
- ✓Up to 6 hours listening time (earbuds), up to 30 hours with case
- ✓Seamless Apple device integration
AirPods (3rd gen) specifications
- Chip
- Apple H1 chip
- Charging
- Lightning port (for charging case)
- Dimensions
- Earbud: 30.79 x 18.26 x 19.21 mm; Charging Case: 46.40 x 54.40 x 21.38 mm
- Weight
- 4.3
- Build
- Plastic
- Water resistance
- IPX4 (sweat and wate
- Port
- Lightning port (for charging case)
Common AirPods (3rd gen) issues we check at inspection
- Left or Right Earbud Not Charging/Connecting. One earbud fails to charge in the case or loses connection intermittently. Often due to dirty charging contacts or internal battery/connection failure.
- Reduced Battery Life in Earbuds. Individual earbuds hold significantly less charge than when new, requiring more frequent recharging.
- Charging Case Not Charging or Holding Charge. The charging case itself fails to charge or its battery degrades, rendering it unable to charge the earbuds.
- Spatial Audio/Head Tracking Malfunction. Features like spatial audio or head tracking become unreliable or stop working, often due to sensor issues.
- Cosmetic Wear (Scratches/Scuffs). The plastic casing of the earbuds and charging case can easily accumulate scratches and scuffs from daily use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity Issues. Difficulty pairing, frequent disconnections, or audio dropouts.