Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have arrived, bringing a host of upgrades for audio enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Officially announced on September 9, 2025, and available for purchase starting September 19, these earbuds represent a significant leap forward in the realm of personal audio.
Design and Fit
The AirPods Pro 3 boast a redesigned in-ear structure, developed using extensive ear scans and user research, ensuring a more secure and comfortable fit for a wider range of users. Apple now includes five sizes of foam-infused ear tips, including a new extra-extra small (XXS) size, further enhancing comfort and noise isolation. The foam-infused tips are also more robust and easier to swap out compared to previous models. Moreover, the AirPods Pro 3 have earned an IP57 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance, increasing their durability for workouts and unpredictable weather conditions.
Audio Performance
Sound quality is a key area of improvement in the AirPods Pro 3. An updated multiport acoustic architecture allows for more precise airflow, resulting in deeper bass, clearer vocals, and improved instrument separation. Next-generation Adaptive EQ customizes the sound signature to the user's unique ear geometry and fit, while Personalized Volume utilizes machine learning to adapt to listening preferences over time. These advancements contribute to a more immersive and detailed listening experience.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency
The AirPods Pro 3 deliver up to twice as effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) compared to the previous generation, and four times more than the original AirPods Pro. This is achieved through a combination of ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and the new foam-infused ear tips. The enhanced Transparency mode makes voices and ambient sounds more natural and vibrant, intelligently adapting to the environment to prioritize important sounds. Conversation Awareness further enhances the listening experience by reducing background noise and isolating voices during calls.
Health and Fitness Features
A notable addition to the AirPods Pro 3 is the integrated heart rate sensor. By pulsing invisible infrared light, the earbuds can measure heart rate during workouts and track over 50 different workout types within the Fitness app on iPhone. This allows users to monitor their heart rate and calories burned without needing an Apple Watch. Apple Fitness+ users can view real-time performance metrics, such as heart rate and progress on their Move ring, directly on-screen. The accuracy of the heart rate sensor is comparable to other fitness devices, making it a valuable tool for tracking workout intensity.
Additional Features
The AirPods Pro 3 introduce Live Translation, facilitating real-time, in-person communication across different languages. This feature supports several languages at launch, with more to be added later in the year. Battery life has also been improved, with up to eight hours of listening time with ANC enabled. The charging case provides a total of 24 hours of listening time with ANC. The case can be charged via USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, or an Apple Watch charger. The AirPods Pro 3 also have a U2 chip, which increases the Precision Finding range in the Find My app. The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249.
Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 offer a compelling upgrade with enhanced audio quality, improved ANC, new health and fitness features, and a more comfortable design.
