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At Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event, most eyes were glued to the iPhone Air. But tucked alongside the new phones and smartwatches came another reveal: the AirPods Pro 3.
It’s been nearly three years since the AirPods Pro 2 debuted (not counting the minor USB-C charging refresh in 2023), so a full upgrade was overdue. While the changes aren’t dramatic at first glance, they add up to a more refined, more capable set of earbuds.
Engadget’s Billy Steele, who tested them during and after the event, described the improved active noise cancellation (ANC) as striking. In a marble-lined demo room with zero acoustic dampening, the Pro 3 earbuds muted nearly everything. Add in the new foam ear tips—comfier than the old silicone and more effective at blocking noise—and you’ve got a serious quality-of-life bump.
The price? The same as the AirPods Pro 2 at launch. That’s important, because Apple pulled the Pro 2 from its online store the moment Pro 3 pre-orders opened. You’ll still find older stock at retailers like Amazon for a while, but the writing is on the wall.
For anyone still rocking the first-gen AirPods Pro (2019), this is a no-brainer upgrade. For Pro 2 owners, though, the question is tougher: Is it worth the jump? Let’s break it down.
What’s New or Better in the AirPods Pro 3
Most of the changes are incremental—but they’re welcome.
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Refined fit and durability
Externally, the design looks nearly the same, but the foam tips (based on scans of over 10,000 human ears) promise better comfort and fewer slips. The case now carries an IP57 rating, meaning it’s more water- and sweat-resistant than ever. -
Stronger ANC
Noise cancellation isn’t new, but it’s much stronger here. Steele noted the Pro 3 silenced a bustling demo hall and even reduced cabin noise in a simulated airplane test. The foam tips add passive isolation, amplifying the effect. -
Longer battery life
Apple claims eight hours per charge (ten with ANC off). Even if that’s optimistic, you’ll reliably squeeze more listening time than the Pro 2 offered. -
Health and fitness features
Apple continues weaving health monitoring into its ecosystem. The Pro 3 introduces a heart-rate sensor, calorie burn tracking, and fitness app syncing with iPhone and Apple Watch. You can even get motivational nudges from your AI “workout buddy.” Note: tracking only works during workouts—unlike the Apple Watch, these won’t monitor your resting heart rate all day. -
Upgraded spatial audio
Apple has re-engineered the drivers and tweaked airflow inside the earbuds to deliver a fuller, more immersive soundscape. Music, podcasts, and shows should feel wider, deeper, and more defined. Spatial audio existed before, but here it’s noticeably improved.
What’s Mostly the Same
The AirPods Pro 3 don’t reinvent the wheel. Many core features carry over from the Pro 2.
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Live translation
Apple’s shiny new real-time translation works across AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and now the Pro 3. With Apple Intelligence, incoming speech is translated instantly, while ANC lowers the original speaker’s voice so you can focus on the translation. Responses can appear as text on your iPhone or, if both parties are using AirPods, flow seamlessly in conversation. Handy for travel, though not quite ready for complex discussions. -
Hearing aid mode
Like the Pro 2, the new model can double as a basic hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s not a replacement for medical devices, but for many, it’s an affordable alternative worth considering. -
Price point
Both the Pro 2 and Pro 3 launched at $249. Pro 2 models are often discounted—sometimes by $80 or more—but the Pro 3 hold their ground at full price.
What’s Missing (for Now)
Despite the upgrades, Apple hasn’t overhauled the design. No rumored touchscreen case controls, no embedded cameras, no dramatic redesigns. Instead, the focus is on fine-tuning existing strengths.
The Bottom Line
The AirPods Pro 3 don’t redefine what earbuds can be, but they do elevate the experience where it matters most: noise cancellation, fit, durability, battery life, and sound quality.
The heart-rate monitor is a big win for fitness enthusiasts, while spatial audio and ANC together create the most immersive AirPods yet. Live translation and hearing-aid support sweeten the deal, though they’re not exclusive to this model.
If you own the original AirPods Pro, upgrading is a no-brainer. If you have the Pro 2, the choice depends: if fitness tracking or next-level ANC matter to you, it may be worth the leap now rather than later.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Quick Specs
Feature AirPods Pro 2 AirPods Pro 3 Active noise cancellation 2× stronger than Pro 1 4× stronger than Pro 1 Battery life 6 hours 8 hours Chip H2 H2 Waterproofing IP54 IP57 Live translation Yes Yes Hearing aid mode Yes Yes Apple Fitness No Yes Heart-rate monitor No Yes List price $249 $249 -
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