Apple’s third‑generation AirPods Pro arrive with familiar styling but a surprisingly long list of under‑the‑hood changes. If you already own the AirPods Pro 2, the question isn’t whether they were good — they set the bar — it’s whether the new model moves that bar far enough to justify an upgrade. Here’s what’s genuinely different, and what will matter day to day.
Price and value
Apple kept pricing steady at $249 for the AirPods Pro 3, matching the launch price of the AirPods Pro 2. That consistency is notable as premium earbuds from rivals have edged upward. The practical wrinkle: the AirPods Pro 2 are commonly discounted at major retailers, sometimes dipping near the mid‑$100s during big sales. If you’re shopping strictly on value, the outgoing model may offer the better sticker story while supplies last.
Sound and spatial audio
Both generations support Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, but the AirPods Pro 3 introduce a new multi‑port acoustic architecture aimed at tightening imaging and extending low‑end texture. Apple’s pitch focuses less on maximum loudness and more on fidelity across the lows, mids, and highs within spatial mixes. In practice, expect more stable instrument placement in Dolby Atmos tracks and cleaner bass lines at moderate volumes.
Transparency mode also gets a tune‑up. The previous model’s transparency was already class‑leading — many reviewers and labs praised its natural tone and low hiss — but Apple says the new processing lowers artifacts further. That should make street sound and voices feel less “processed,” which helps during workouts and commutes.
Noise cancellation gains
Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 deliver roughly double the active noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2. Marketing math can be slippery (ANC “x2” doesn’t mean twice the decibels at all frequencies), but historically Apple’s claims have correlated with noticeably stronger low‑frequency attenuation — the subway rumble and aircraft drone that most people care about. Expect a quieter cabin feel, especially when paired with the improved ear‑tip system.
Fit, tips, and durability
The silhouette is similar, but the AirPods Pro 3 are slightly more compact and ship with five sizes of foam‑infused tips versus three silicone sizes on the Pro 2. Foam expands to fill the canal, boosting passive isolation, which complements ANC and stabilizes bass. More sizes also mean fewer trade‑offs for small or large ear canals.
Durability sees a meaningful bump: an IP57 rating on the AirPods Pro 3 versus IP54 on the Pro 2. That upgrade adds dust protection and increases water resistance, a quiet win for trail runners and gym‑goers. The H2 chip remains, but Apple is leaning on new acoustics, sensors, and algorithms rather than a silicon overhaul this cycle.
Battery and charging
Battery life per charge rises from a rated six hours on the AirPods Pro 2 to up to eight hours on the AirPods Pro 3 (with ANC on). That puts Apple in line with top endurance numbers from competitors like Sony and Bose without enlarging the buds. Case longevity wasn’t the headline this time; the Pro 2 case was rated at up to 30 hours total. Expect similar or slightly better in the new case, with the convenience of USB‑C retained.
Health, sensors, and workouts
This is where the AirPods Pro 3 make their boldest move. A new photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor enables on‑ear heart rate monitoring, and Apple ties the data into the Fitness app for initiating and tracking dozens of workout types. Combined with onboard motion sensors and your iPhone’s GPS, the buds can estimate calories and help you manage zones — though, as sports scientists often note, optical readings at the ear aren’t as precise as a chest strap during high‑intensity intervals.
Apple’s Workout Buddy feature layers in coaching driven by your historical trends and goals via Apple Intelligence. For casual athletes who don’t want a dedicated watch, this turns the earbuds into a lightweight training companion. Both generations support accessibility features like Hearing Aid mode, but the new sensors expand everyday health utility.
Live translation and on‑device smarts
AirPods Pro 3 introduce live translation, using your iPhone as a visual display while the earbuds deliver audio translations in your ear. Apple says it supports conversations in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish at launch, with additional languages including Italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese slated to follow. If both parties wear the new AirPods, ANC can automatically lower the speaker’s voice while raising the translated audio — a clever touch that makes the system feel less chaotic in noisy spaces.
The addition aligns with a broader industry shift toward on‑device AI features. Market analysts at Counterpoint Research note that premium earbuds increasingly differentiate via software and sensors rather than raw driver changes. Apple’s approach here matches that trend.
Should you upgrade?
If you own the AirPods Pro 2 and mainly care about calls, convenience, and solid ANC, you’re still in great shape — especially if you can find a discounted pair. Upgrade calculus changes if you prioritize fitness tracking without a watch, want stronger noise blocking, or value the new foam‑tip fit and IP57 durability. For first‑gen Pro owners, the leap is unambiguous: you’ll gain better ANC, longer battery life, spatial audio refinements, and a far richer feature set.
Bottom line: the AirPods Pro 3 don’t rip up Apple’s playbook, but they do add meaningful capabilities in health, translation, comfort, and noise control while holding the line on price — a thoughtful evolution aimed at how people actually use earbuds in 2025.