Apple AirPods Pro 3: What Makes These Earbuds Special?

This content is not created to promote affiliate products or paid placements. Any monetization, when present, does not influence what we cover or how we review products.

Apple just announced the new AirPods Pro 3 – a highly anticipated upgrade to Pro 2, released in 2022. It comes with some bring improvements, which totally make an upgrade worth it!

So what are the features and specs of AirPods Pro 3? Let’s find out:

Design & Comfort

The AirPods Pro 3 are smaller, sleeker, and designed for stability during workouts or long listening sessions. Apple redesigned the internal architecture and added new foam-infused ear tips (available in five sizes, including a new XXS size) for a more personalized fit. The earbuds are also tougher, carrying an IP57 rating for sweat and water resistance.

Better ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

Apple says AirPods Pro 3 deliver the strongest in-ear Active Noise Cancellation yet – blocking 2 times more noise than AirPods Pro 2 and 4 times more than the original AirPods. Ultra-low noise microphones, computational audio, and those new ear tips combine to hush even busy places like cafés or airplane cabins. Adaptive EQ has also been improved, widening the soundstage and sharpening vocals for a more immersive experience.

Heart-Rate Tracking

For the first time, AirPods Pro can track your heart rate during workouts. Using a tiny optical sensor, they monitor over 50 workout types in the Fitness app. Combined with your iPhone, you’ll see calories, heart rate, and progress in real time – perfect for fitness tracking without needing a watch. And if you have a smartwatch, you will receive even more accurate data.

Live Translation

Powered by Apple Intelligence, Live Translation comes to AirPods Pro 3, becoming a real-time language bridge. You can have conversations across supported languages (for now, English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese), and hear the translation instantly in your earbuds. On top of that, your iPhone will be able to show live transcripts on screen. A great feature to test when going to a foreign country next vacation.

Battery & Extras

AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of playback with ANC (33% more than 2Gen AirPods Pro) and up to 10 hours in Transparency mode. The MagSafe case is still wireless charging compatible but comes in a slimmer size. Apple also continues its push on hearing health with features like Conversation Boost and hearing tests included.

Price

The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249, and launch on September 19 alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.

Feature	AirPods Pro 2	AirPods Pro 3
Active Noise Cancellation	Standard ANC	2× stronger ANC
Ear Tips	Silicone	Silicone + foam core for better isolation
Live Translation	❌ Not available	✅ Built-in Live Translation via iPhone Translate app
Heart-Rate Tracking	❌ Not available	✅ Workout heart-rate monitoring
Audio Quality	Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio	Adaptive EQ & Spatial Audio with Deeper bass, wider soundstage. Redesigned vent system
Chip	H2	H2 (with new features enabled)
Price	$249	$249
Release	2022	2025

Final Thoughts

The AirPods Pro 3 feel like a meaningful step forward. Apple didn’t just refine sound quality and fit – it also added health and AI-powered features that make these earbuds more useful every day. At the same price as before, they’re shaping up to be one of Apple’s most compelling audio upgrades yet.

Here are some more related articles you may like:

Our Editorial Process
This article was created by the TrendsPlace editorial team.
We only use AI tools to assist with drafting and efficiency, while all content is researched, reviewed, edited, and finalized by humans to ensure accuracy and quality.