Is this the best earbuds upgrade yet?
Short Summary
The AirPods Pro 3 deliver one of Apple’s most ambitious audio upgrades: a new fit, significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), heart-rate monitoring, foam-infused ear-tips, IP57 rating, and up to ~8 hours of playback with ANC enabled. For iPhone users who value seamless ecosystem integration, these may be the most polished earbuds yet — but are they worth the upgrade from the AirPods Pro 2? Let’s dive deep.
Pros & Cons
✔ What’s Excellent
- Up to ~8 hours music time with ANC (vs ~6 hrs previous) PhoneArena+2Apple+2
- ANC claimed to be ~2× more effective than AirPods Pro 2 and ~4× better than the original model. Apple+1
- Fit and ear-tip options dramatically improved (5 sizes including XXS) Apple
- New health sensors (heart-rate) built into the buds, workout integration. Apple+1
- Improved water/dust resistance (IP57) making them better suited for workouts, commute, travel. Apple
- Seamless Apple ecosystem features: Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Live Translation, etc.
✖ What Could Be Better
- Sound tuning may feel brighter or more “excited” in treble—some listeners on forums reports this. Reddit
- Best experience locked to Apple ecosystem; Android support remains limited.
- While ANC and features improved, battery still lags some top-specialist earbuds.
- Some early users report minor noise-artifacts with ANC in very quiet settings.
Specifications Table
Design & Build Quality
From a distance the AirPods Pro 3 retain the classic white stem-earbud look, but Apple’s internal data (10,000 ear scans, 300 million data points) informed a deeper in-ear redesign. Apple
- The foam-infused ear-tips help passive isolation before ANC kicks in.
- The IP57 rating (meaning up to 1 m depth for 30 minutes) makes them tougher for workouts, rainy commutes and everyday use.
- The charging case remains compact, minimalist, and supports MagSafe / Qi / USB-C.
- Overall build feels premium, with seamless hinge, flush finish and consistent Apple design polish.
Comfort wise: many reviewers say the fit is more secure than the Pro 2, especially for smaller ears.
Sound Quality and Performance
Major audio upgrades underpin the Pro 3: wider soundstage, stronger bass response, more clarity in vocals and detail.
- According to independent testing by RTINGS, the frequency response consistency is “fantastic” and the fit improved. RTINGS.com
- Sound signature leans slightly towards brightness, according to user forums: “The AirPods Pro 3 sound very bright to me. They may have better clarity but they are definitely bright and seem to lack low mids.” Reddit
- ANC improvements: Apple claims “up to 2× more noise cancelled than AirPods Pro 2” and “4× more noise removed compared with original AirPods Pro”. Apple+1
- In real-world listening (commute, airplane, gym) reviewers report noticeable improvement in ambient-noise reduction. 9to5Mac
So, you’re getting better sound and better isolation (especially if you switch from Pro 2), though audiophiles may still find tonal preferences varying.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) & Transparency Mode
The ANC is one of the headline upgrades.
- Apple’s architecture: ultra-low noise microphones + advanced computational audio + foam ear-tips. Apple
- Transparency mode now handles the wearer’s voice more naturally and allows clearer ambient sound without compromising on isolation.
- Independent testing shows that the fit and seal improvements matter: a better seal improves actual ANC performance.
- Some minor complaints: a few users on very quiet flights noticed hiss/static when ANC is on and music paused. Cinco Días
In short: ANC is much better, and transparency is among the most natural you’ll find. For travel, office, gym — this is a major improvement.
Daily Use, Ecosystem & Smart Features
- Live Translation: With Pro 3 paired to iPhone, you can get near-real-time voice translation across supported languages. Cinco Días
- Heart-Rate Sensor: One of the first true earbuds to include HR monitoring built-in, meaning you can track workout data even without a watch. Apple+1
- Seamless Integration: Instant pairing, Auto Switching between Apple devices, Find My Precision Find, Audio Sharing, Spatial Audio & Head Tracking.
- Adaptive EQ: Dynamically adjusts to audio content and fit.
- User Experience: Many reviewers say the Pro 3 are “jack of all trades” earbuds that specialize in convenience. SoundGuys
- For Android users: While Bluetooth works, many smart features (Live Translation, Spatial Audio, Auto Switching) are restricted — so the full value is still Apple-ecosystem dependent.
Battery Life & Charging
- Apple claims ~8 hours of playback with ANC enabled for the Pro 3. PhoneArena
- In reviews: many users hit ~7–8 hrs daily listening with moderate use, and total case usage of 30+ hours is achievable. 9to5Mac
- Charging case supports quick top-ups: ~5 minutes for ~1 hour of listening (typical), full charge in ~45-50 minutes.
- Turned off or minimal use: standby drain is low.
- Bonus: IP57 rating for the case helps durability.
- Compared to Pro 2: the improvement is meaningful but not radical. If you had Pro 2 and battery was good, improvement will be nice but not revolutionary.
Fit, Comfort & Usability
- Five sizes of ear-tips (including XXS) help a wider variety of ear shapes. Apple
- Foam-infused tips: improved seal, improved passive isolation.
- Tips are slightly deeper in-ear than Pro 2 — some users may need time to adapt.
- Controls: The stem still supports press/force sensor, swiping for volume depending on iOS version.
- For exercise: Fit is secure, IP57 helps with sweat/resistance, and HR sensor adds value for fitness users.
Real-World Performance in 2025
Real-World Performance in 2025
Commuters / Travel:
- Noise cancellation is strong for bus/train flights.
- Transparency mode works well for announcements or chats without removing earbuds.
Fitness & Gym:
- Heart-rate tracking means earphones + HR sensor = full workout tracking (though you may still prefer smartwatch for full data).
- Stable fit during treadmill, elliptical, HIIT.
- Sweat/dust resistant helps.
Home / Streaming:
- Spatial Audio and head tracking are excellent when paired with Apple devices.
- Detail and clarity shine in dialogues and soundtracks.
For Calls & Work:
- Excellent mic clarity, good ambient noise filtering.
- Adaptive audio and automatic switching between devices a big plus for remote work.
Comparison: AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2
| Feature | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
| ANC effectiveness | Excellent (previous generation) | Up to ~2× ANC vs Pro 2 (per Apple) |
| Battery (Single Charge) | ~6 hours with ANC (varies) PhoneArena+1 | Up to ~8 hours with ANC (claimed) PhoneArena |
| Fit / Ear-Tip Options | 4 tip sizes | 5 tip sizes including XXS + foam-infused tips Apple |
| Health Sensors | No built-in HR sensor | Built-in heart rate sensor, workout tracking support Apple+1 |
| Water/Dust Rating | IP54 (buds) / case varies | IP57 (buds + case) better durability Apple |
| Smart Features | Strong Apple ecosystem support | Adds Live Translation, improved spatial audio, better sensors |
| Sound Tuning | Balanced, slightly less “bright” | Slightly more bass/treble emphasis, more “excited” sound signature RTINGS.com+1 |
| Price / Value | Still excellent value if discounted | Launch price same ~$249; better future-proofing |
| Compatibility for Android | Limited (like Pro 3) | Same constraints; full value only with Apple devices |
Verdict of comparison:
If you own AirPods Pro 2 and they still work well, you’ll enjoy the upgrade — better ANC, better fit, added health sensors — but you may not need it unless one of those upgrades is important.
If you are buying new (especially as an iPhone user) the Pro 3 make more sense today.
Pricing & Where to Buy
- USA: ~$249 at launch. Cinco Días
- UK/EU: Equivalent regional pricing (check local Apple Store).
- Global: Available via Apple.com, authorized resellers.
- Always check for local warranty and region-specific feature support (e.g., ECG/HR sensor availability may vary).
FAQs
Q1. Can I use the AirPods Pro 3 with Android devices?
Yes — they will work as standard Bluetooth earbuds. However, key features (Live Translation, full Apple ecosystem integration, Spatial Audio head tracking) are Apple-device dependent.
Q2. Are they worth upgrading from AirPods Pro 2?
If you value better ANC, improved fit, heart-rate tracking, and IP57 rating, yes. If your Pro 2 still satisfy you, you might wait.
Q3. Do they support lossless audio?
Apple has not announced full lossless codec support for Pro 3 in the same way as Vision Pro integration — check current firmware.
Q4. How durable are they?
Very good for true wireless earbuds: IP57 rating is strong. Still treat them with care like any premium earbuds.
Q5. Are there any known issues?
A small number of users have reported hiss/static noise in ANC mode in very quiet environments. Cinco Días Firmware updates may address this.
Verdict — Should You Buy the AirPods Pro 3?
For global users — especially those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem — the AirPods Pro 3 represent a very compelling upgrade. They deliver top-tier ANC, improved battery life, stronger durability and additional sensors (heart-rate) that expand use cases beyond just audio playback. The improved fit and foam tips are meaningful for comfort and isolation. If high-quality sound, noise control, and premium features, they are among the best true wireless earbuds in 2025.
If you are an iPhone user looking for a single pair of earbuds that do nearly everything (music, calls, workout tracking, translation, travel) then rank them high.
An Android user, or already have Pro 2 that still work great, you could wait for discounts or future models. But from a value and feature standpoint, the Pro 3 are among the strongest releases this year.