The AirPods Pro 3 arrive three years after their predecessor and offer numerous improvements. Apple hasn't reinvented everything, but it has reworked crucial details. A direct comparison with the AirPods Pro 2 reveals what's new and whether an upgrade is worthwhile.
With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple continues its approach of not radically changing existing products, but rather deliberately evolving them. The new model looks very similar to the AirPods Pro 2, but differs in its profound adjustments to sound, comfort, health sensors, and battery life. The result is a product that straddles the line between traditional headphones and a smart fitness wearable.
Improvements to audio functions
A key focus of the AirPods Pro 3 is sound. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) removes twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2 and up to four times as much as the first generation. Apple calls this the world's best ANC technology in wireless in-ear headphones. The new internals with multi-port acoustic architecture precisely control airflow and create a spatial listening experience. Next-generation Adaptive EQ improves bass response, expands the soundstage, and brings clarity to voices in music, TV shows, and calls. Transparency mode sounds more natural and reproduces your own voice realistically without losing contact with the surroundings.
Design and fit
Externally, the AirPods Pro 3 have only minor changes compared to the AirPods Pro 2. Each earbud is slightly smaller, but this is hardly noticeable. The decisive factor is the new selection of ear tips. Instead of four sizes, there are now five, plus an XXS version. All ear tips are made of foam-filled material, which ensures a better fit and greater comfort. This makes the AirPods Pro 3 fit more securely and comfortably, even when worn for long periods or during physical activity.
Health sensors and durability
The AirPods Pro 3 feature a heart rate sensor for the first time. Using photoplethysmography (PPG), they emit infrared light 256 times per second to measure the light absorption of blood flow. Combined with the accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and an AI model on the iPhone, you can start over 50 workout types, track heart rate and calorie consumption, close activity rings, and collect awards in the Fitness app. Robustness has also been improved. The AirPods Pro 3 are dust, sweat, and water resistant to IP57. The AirPods Pro 2 only achieved IP54. This makes the new models significantly more durable.
Battery life with limitations
Apple advertises the AirPods Pro 3 as having longer battery life, but there are differences between the individual scenarios. With ANC enabled, they last up to 8 hours, which is 33 percent longer than the 6 hours of the AirPods Pro 2. In Transparency mode, the playback time increases to up to 10 hours, a 67 percent increase. One disadvantage is the charging case. While the AirPods Pro 2 offer up to 30 hours of listening time, Apple has reduced the capacity of the new case to 24 hours.
Find My with new U2 chip
The charging case also features a new U2 chip. This enables more accurate location determination via "Find My" and offers improved precision searches, even at greater distances. The AirPods Pro 2 still use the older U1 chip.
AirPods Pro 3: Evolution instead of revolution
The AirPods Pro 3 focus on targeted improvements rather than a completely new concept. With significantly stronger noise cancellation, improved sound, longer battery life per charge, a new fit, a heart rate sensor, and improved durability, they offer noticeable advantages over the AirPods Pro 2. The reduced capacity of the charging case remains a drawback, as does the lack of a new chip for core functions. Nevertheless, the AirPods Pro 3 feel like a consistent update that advances the AirPods series both technically and functionally. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Apple)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 offer twice the noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2, longer battery life, a redesigned design with five ear tip sizes, a built-in heart rate monitor, improved IP57 durability, and a charging case with a U2 chip for more precise Find My features.
The biggest differences are the significantly stronger ANC performance, the new multi-port acoustic architecture for better sound, the additional ear tip size, the new heart rate sensor, improved water and dust resistance, and the integration of the U2 chip in the charging case.
With ANC enabled, the AirPods Pro 3 can last up to 8 hours, and in Transparency mode, up to 10 hours. With the charging case, the total playtime is 24 hours—slightly less than the 30 hours of the AirPods Pro 2.
The AirPods Pro 3 are IP57 certified, making them dust, sweat, and water resistant. However, complete submersion in water is not recommended.
Yes, the AirPods Pro 3 have a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that measures heart rate. Combined with iPhone sensor fusion, they can track over 50 exercise types.
The upgrade is especially worthwhile for users who value stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life per charge, fitness tracking, and improved durability. Those who primarily benefit from the charging case capacity might be more satisfied with the AirPods Pro 2.
The charging case of the AirPods Pro 3 has less total capacity (24 instead of 30 hours), but offers a new U2 chip for more precise location determination via “Find My”.
Five sizes are included: XXS, XS, S, M, and L. All earplugs are filled with foam, making them a more secure and comfortable fit.
