Apple’s AirPods Pro are back for their third generation, offering a more comfortable fit, longer battery life, built-in heart rate sensors, and improved noise cancellation. They’re likely to become just as popular as earlier models.
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It’s been three years since the last model, but the earbuds still only come in white, and the differences from previous versions are subtle. The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at £219 (€249/$249/A$429), which is £30 less than their predecessors launched for in the UK. They sit above the AirPods 4, which cost £169 and include noise cancellation for those who prefer not to use silicone tips.
The earbuds’ shape has been adjusted for a more comfortable fit during long listening sessions of three hours or more. They come with five tip sizes, but if silicone earbuds weren’t comfortable for you before, these may not change that.
The stalks remain the same length, but the earbud design has been refined to align the tip better with your ear canal.
Most features are standard for modern earbuds: squeeze the stalks for playback controls, swipe for volume, or remove them to pause music. They support the same new functions as Apple’s older earbuds, such as using them as a camera remote or for live translation in the iPhone’s Translate app. Translation currently works with English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but isn’t available in the EU. It performs well for casual conversations, though the other person will need to read or hear the translation from your iPhone. This feature is most useful for one-way translations, like announcements or audio guides in museums or on transport.
A notable hardware addition is heart rate monitoring via sensors on the earbuds, similar to Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2. They work with over 50 workouts in the Fitness app and some third-party apps, providing readings comparable to a Garmin Forerunner 970 or Apple Watch during walks and runs. With an IP57 rating, they’re more resistant to rain and sweat.
Battery life has increased by a third, offering at least eight hours of playback with noise cancellation per charge, making them competitive with top rivals. The compact case provides two full charges for a total of 24 hours—six hours less than the previous generation—but just five minutes in the case gives an hour of listening time.
Specifications:
– Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, UWB
– Battery life: 8 hours with ANC (24 hours with case)
– Water resistance: IP57 (buds and case)
– Earbud dimensions: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0mm
– Earbud weight: 5.6g each
– Charging case dimensions: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8mm
– Charging case weight: 44g
– Case charging: USB-C, Qi wireless/MagSafe, Apple Watch charger
The sound quality is enhanced with a wider soundscape that makes big tracks feel more expansive, while maintaining strong, controlled bass. They are detailed, well-balanced, and suit various music genres. The silicone tips include foam that expands slightly for a better seal, improving both music and noise cancellation.These earbuds deliver ample power and impact when required. Like other Apple headphones, they can occasionally sound a bit too precise, missing some warmth or rawness in certain songs, and they don’t reach the very lowest notes for earth-shaking bass. Still, few earbuds at this price and size offer better sound quality.
Apple’s spatial audio for movies continues to lead the pack, enhancing immersion with compatible devices and services, though spatial audio for music is still inconsistent.
The AirPods Pro are the top choice for earbuds with a compact case that slips easily into a pocket.
The most significant upgrade is the improved noise cancellation. Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already impressive AirPods Pro 2, which seems accurate. In comparisons, the AirPods Pro 3 manage street noise—like cars, horns, and engines—almost as well as the top-rated Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones, which is remarkable for such small earbuds.
They also excel at reducing higher-pitched noises such as keyboard clicks and conversations, making commutes and office work more pleasant.
Apple’s leading transparency mode is just as effective on these new earbuds, sounding so natural it’s as if you’re not wearing them at all. This makes them excellent as hearing aids or for outdoor use, with added protection against sudden loud sounds.
Call quality is outstanding, with clear and natural voice reproduction in both quiet and noisy settings, and only minimal road noise picked up on busy streets.
The case charges via USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, or an Apple Watch charger and includes a new feature to limit charging and preserve battery health.
Apple doesn’t specify the expected battery lifespan, but similar devices typically retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The earbuds aren’t repairable, but Apple provides a battery service for £49 per earbud or case and replacements for lost or damaged units starting at £79 each. iFixit gave them a repairability score of zero out of 10.
The AirPods and case are made with 40% recycled materials by weight, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Apple offers trade-in and free recycling programs and details the environmental impact in its report.
The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at £219 (€249/$249/A$429).
For comparison, the AirPods 4 start at £119, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 cost £250, Sennheiser Momentum TW4 are £199, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are £219, Sony WF-1000XM5 cost £219, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are £300.
The AirPods Pro 3 build on the strengths of the popular second-generation model and enhance nearly every aspect.
Longer battery life and a more comfortable fit for extended listening are welcome improvements, as is the broader, richer sound. With proper water resistance and built-in heart rate monitoring, they’re ideal for workouts, especially activities like powerlifting where wearing a watch is impractical. The live translation feature performed better than expected but has limitations that reduce its usefulness in real conversations.
The standout feature is the highly effective noise cancellation that rivals top over-ear headphones, all packed into tiny, portable earbuds.
Audiophiles might find the sound a bit too precise. While they work with any Bluetooth device, including Android phones, PCs, and game consoles, full functionality requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The main drawback remains repairability, a common issue with most true wireless earbuds that costs them a star in ratings.
Pros: highly effective noise cancellation, excellent sound, top-tier transparency mode, water resistance, built-in heart rate monitoring, great controls, advanced features.The AirPods Pro 3 are among the top earbuds available, especially for iPhone users. They offer spatial audio, a very comfortable fit, a high-quality case, and excellent call clarity. However, they are hard to repair, costly, and lack hi-res audio support. Their functionality is limited with Android or Windows devices, their design hasn’t changed from previous models, and they only come in white.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs about a hypothetical AirPods Pro 3 review focusing on improved battery life enhanced noise cancellation and superior sound quality
General Beginner Questions
Q1 What are the main new features of the AirPods Pro 3
A1 The biggest upgrades are significantly better battery life more powerful noise cancellation and a noticeable improvement in overall sound quality
Q2 Is the noise cancellation really that much better than the previous model
A2 Yes reviews suggest the enhanced noise cancellation is a major step up blocking out more lowfrequency sounds like engine rumbles and making conversations and background noise much quieter
Q3 How much longer does the battery last
A3 With the new model you can expect several more hours of listening time on a single charge compared to the AirPods Pro 2 especially with noise cancellation turned on
Q4 Do they still come with multiple ear tip sizes
A4 Yes they include a set of silicone ear tips in different sizes to help you get a secure and comfortable fit which is crucial for both noise cancellation and sound quality
Q5 Will these work with my Android phone
A5 Yes you can use them as Bluetooth headphones with any Android device but youll miss out on Appleexclusive features like seamless pairing Siri and spatial audio head tracking
Sound Performance Questions
Q6 What does superior sound quality actually mean
A6 It means youll hear clearer vocals more powerful bass and more detail in your music making it feel more immersive and lifelike compared to older models
Q7 Is the sound quality better for all types of music
A7 Generally yes Whether you listen to pop classical or podcasts the improved drivers provide a more balanced and rich audio experience across different genres
Q8 How is the call quality on the AirPods Pro 3
A8 Call quality is excellent The upgraded microphones and voice isolation technology make your voice sound clear to the person youre talking to even in noisy environments like a windy street
Q9 What is Transparency Mode and is it improved
A9 Transparency Mode lets you hear the world around you while still listening
