Source: Apple
Apple says the AirPod 3 is unlike any buds you’ve ever experienced, and you’re about to find out how they arrived at this strong opinion.
In this report, you will learn:
- The standout features Apple introduced with AirPods Pro 3.
- How Apple improved fit, comfort, and durability.
- Breakthroughs in sound quality, Active Noise Cancellation, and health monitoring.
- Pricing, availability, and its upgrade worth status.
Apple AirPod Pro 3 Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Model | AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) |
| Design & Fit | Redesigned smaller body, improved stability, foam-infused ear tips in 5 sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L) |
| Acoustic Architecture | Multiport acoustic design with Adaptive EQ, expanded bass response, wider soundstage, vivid vocal clarity |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | World’s best in-ear ANC, up to 2× better than AirPods Pro 2, 4× better than original AirPods Pro |
| Transparency Mode | Personalized Transparency with more natural voice rendering |
| Audio Features | Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, next-generation Adaptive EQ |
| Workout Features | Heart rate sensing (custom PPG sensor), workout tracking with Fitness app, supports 50+ workout types, Workout Buddy with Apple Intelligence |
| Durability | IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance (earbuds and case) |
| Sensors | Heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, skin-detect sensor, speech-detecting accelerometer |
| Translation | Live Translation (beta) supports English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish; expanding to Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified) |
| Hearing Health | Hearing Test, Conversation Boost (automatic), Hearing Protection (EU/UK), improved Transparency Mode battery (67% longer) |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 8 hours listening with ANC; up to 10 hours in Transparency mode |
| Battery Life (Case) | More than 30 hours total listening time |
| Charging Case | MagSafe + Qi2 wireless charging, USB-C, U1 chip with Precision Finding, built-in speaker |
| Apple Intelligence Integration | More innovative Siri responses, Workout Buddy, Live Translation, and AI-powered personalization |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Compatibility | iPhone with iOS 26+, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV |
| Environmental | 40% recycled content overall; 100% recycled cobalt in battery; 65% recycled plastic in case; 40% renewable electricity in manufacturing |
| Color | White |
| Price | $249 (U.S.) |
Let’s talk about these.
Design and Comfort Upgrades
Apple has heavily emphasized fit and comfort in the AirPods Pro 3, drawing on one of the most extensive research datasets ever applied to earbud design. More than 10,000 ear scans and 100,000 hours of testing informed the redesign, making these the most secure and stable AirPods to date.
Smaller Internal Build and Five Ear Tip Sizes
The internal structure has been completely re-engineered to make each AirPod smaller, while the outer geometry of the ear tip has been centered for improved stability. Foam-infused ear tips are now available in five sizes, including a new XXS option. This ensures a fit for a broader range of users than ever before.
Durability with IP57 Rating
The AirPods Pro 3 are built to withstand exercise and daily use. With an IP57 water and sweat resistance rating, they can withstand workouts like HIIT, yoga, running, and exposure to rain or unpredictable weather conditions.
Audio and Noise Cancellation Enhancements
Sound quality has been a cornerstone of every AirPods Pro release, and Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 now delivers the most immersive in-ear audio experience in the world with:
New Acoustic Architecture
A multiport acoustic system controls airflow within the earbuds, creating a wider soundstage. This design enhances bass response, improves instrument separation, and provides greater clarity to vocals. With next-generation Adaptive EQ, music and calls adapt more intelligently to the user’s ear and listening environment.
Active Noise Cancellation Tools
Using ultra-low-noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and new foam ear tips for passive noise isolation, noise reduction is more effective than ever before.
- ANC is now 2x more effective than AirPods Pro 2.
- ANC is 4x stronger compared to the original AirPods Pro.
This makes them particularly useful in noisy environments, such as commuting, working in an office, or traveling.
Personalized Transparency Mode
Transparency mode has also been refined. Voices, including the user’s own, sound more natural while letting environmental noise filter in safely. The balance between awareness and immersion has been fine-tuned for everyday use.
Health and fitness: Heart rate sensing and workout integration
The AirPods Pro 3 extends beyond audio into fitness and health tracking, something never before built directly into Apple’s earbuds. It has:
Custom Heart Rate Sensor
This new photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor measures heart rate using invisible infrared light. It pulses 256 times per second to detect blood flow, delivering precise measurements during workouts.
Integrated Fitness Tracking
Working with the Fitness app on iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 can now:
- Track over 50 different workout types.
- Monitor heart rate and calories burned.
- Help users close their Move rings.
- Offer performance awards directly in the app.
Workout Buddy and Fitness+ Integration
With Apple Intelligence, users gain access to Workout Buddy, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered system that uses historical data and real-time metrics to provide motivation during sessions. For Apple Fitness+ subscribers, performance statistics such as heart rate, calorie burn, and progress indicators can be viewed on-screen in real-time.
This combination turns the AirPods Pro 3 into a hybrid device that is part audio accessory and part fitness companion.
Live translation powered by Apple Intelligence
The most transformative feature announced is Live Translation. AirPods Pro 3 can facilitate real-time multilingual communication using computational audio and Apple Intelligence. When enabled, they capture speech, translate it, and deliver the translated result directly to the user’s ear.
Languages supported at launch include English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese coming later in the year. This is initially available in beta.
The feature is designed for both one-on-one and group settings. If only one user has AirPods, an iPhone can display live transcription for the other person in their preferred language. If both users wear AirPods with Live Translation enabled, the system automatically adjusts audio levels and translations in real-time for smoother interaction.
This extends AirPods beyond entertainment into global communication, travel, and workplace collaboration.
Battery life and charging
Battery performance remains an important consideration. Apple reports that AirPods Pro 3 deliver up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, with the charging case extending this to 24 hours in total.
The charging case supports USB-C and MagSafe, reflecting Apple’s transition across its product line. Integration with the Find My network has also been enhanced, making it easier to locate the case if it is misplaced.
In Transparency Mode, playback lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, 67 percent longer than the previous generation. This ensures users relying on accessibility functions are not restricted by frequent charging
While the improvements here are incremental, the consistency across Apple devices creates a more substantial user experience.
Hearing health
AirPods Pro 3 expands on hearing protection by limiting prolonged exposure to loud environments. Users in the EU and UK also gain certified Hearing Protection tools, meeting regional standards.
The Hearing Test feature, already widely adopted, benefits from the stronger ANC that removes more ambient noise, enabling more accurate at-home evaluations. For people who use hearing aids, Conversation Boost is now automatic. It amplifies voices in busy places such as restaurants while reducing background noise.
Environmental commitments
The AirPods Pro 3 were also aligned with Apple’s broader sustainability goals. The packaging is now fully fiber-based, eliminating plastic, and is designed for easy recycling. These changes align with Apple’s 2030 carbon-neutral roadmap across materials, electricity, and transportation.
The earbuds use 40 percent recycled content, with the battery built from 100 percent recycled cobalt and the case composed of 65 percent recycled plastic. Production relies on 40 percent renewable electricity from sources such as wind and solar.
Pricing and availability
AirPods Pro 3 start at $249 in the United States, matching the pricing of previous models. Pre-orders are now open across more than 50 countries, with in-store availability starting September 19.
New buyers may claim up to three months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ at no cost. Protection plans include AppleCare+ or AppleCare One, which extend coverage to accidents, battery service, and theft or loss on eligible devices.
Reasons you should upgrade to AirPods Pro 3 (and not)?
For users of the original AirPods Pro, the jump to AirPods Pro 3 is significant. Features like heart rate monitoring, Live Translation, improved ANC, and Apple Intelligence integration make this a meaningful upgrade.
For AirPods Pro 2 owners, the decision is more nuanced. While the improvements are substantial, the Pro 2 remains capable earbuds with firm performance. However, users who value health tracking or travel frequently may find the new features compelling enough to justify upgrading.
In summary,
- Upgrade is highly recommended if you own the first-generation AirPods Pro.
- Upgrade is worth considering if you want the latest health and intelligence features.
- You can wait if you’re satisfied with the AirPods Pro 2 and don’t need heart rate tracking or Live Translation.
Final takeaway
- AirPods Pro 3 delivers the strongest Active Noise Cancellation in an in-ear headphone.
- Design improvements and five tip sizes ensure comfort, stability, and durability.
- New features like heart rate sensing and Live Translation expand AirPods’ capabilities in fitness and communication.
- Battery life, accessibility tools, and environmental design strengthen Apple’s long-term vision for the product.
Summing up,
The AirPods Pro 3 announcement highlights how Apple continues to evolve personal audio into a comprehensive platform. From advanced ANC and personalized fit to health tracking and multilingual translation, the headphones demonstrate more than a spectacular update. Still, Apple’s ambition is to make AirPods a hub for sound, fitness, accessibility, and intelligent features.
For anyone considering an upgrade, AirPods Pro 3 is a strong successor to earlier models, combining entertainment with practical daily benefits. Pre-orders are now live, and availability begins September 19. To explore all details, visit Apple’s official store or authorized retailers today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AirPods Pro 3
What is the most significant upgrade in AirPods Pro 3 compared to AirPods Pro 2?
- The most significant improvements include the introduction of Apple Intelligence integration, enhanced Adaptive Audio controls, and a new ultra-low-latency H2 chip for improved sound precision and smarter Siri responses.
Do AirPods Pro 3 support Apple Intelligence on all devices?
- Yes, but full Apple Intelligence functionality requires an iPhone 17 running iOS 26 or newer. Older devices with iOS 26 will have limited features.
What improvements were made to noise cancellation?
- The AirPods Pro 3 features an adaptive noise cancellation system that adjusts in real-time based on surrounding sounds, offering improved suppression of constant noise and smoother transitions when switching to Transparency Mode.
How is the battery life on AirPods Pro 3?
- Apple states up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, and up to 30 hours with the MagSafe charging case. This is a modest but functional increase over AirPods Pro 2.
Are AirPods Pro 3 compatible with non-Apple devices?
- Yes. They can pair with any Bluetooth-enabled device, but advanced features such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Apple Intelligence are exclusive to Apple devices.
What’s new about the charging case?
- The AirPods Pro 3 case includes Find My precision tracking, a built-in alert speaker, and faster wireless charging, supporting MagSafe and Qi2 standards.
Do AirPods Pro 3 come in new colors?
- Apple continues with its white glossy finish, but the case design has been slightly refined. Rumors of additional colors did not materialize in the announcement.
Should current AirPods Pro 2 owners upgrade?
- The upgrade makes the most sense for users who want Apple Intelligence features or need enhanced ANC and audio processing. However, the improvements may not feel essential if your AirPods Pro 2 still perform well.
