I have been driving the AirPods Pro 2 daily since their launch in 2023 (and the Lightning port before that before that, and the original AirPods before that), so I was quite excited for the third generation of real Apple wireless headphones.
Apple has just made the AirPods Pro 3 officials alongside a multitude of other devices, including iPhone air, and these headphones have a high bar to follow. Not just AirPods Pro 2, but also a constantly increasing sea of competitors – just look at our list of the best headphones.
Shortly after the event, I was able to try the AirPods Pro 3: test the new fit, run a track and try the active cancellation of improved noise. Apple’s H2 chip still feeds experience, but with new algorithms and software adjustments, processing power is now pushed further.
I was also able to try two exciting additions, both completely new: the functionality of monitoring the heart rate and a quick overview of the live translation. But let’s start with the first great improvement here: adjustment.
It is clear that Apple has released a page from the Airpods 4 design with the Airpod Pro 3. The left and right airpods are slightly smaller, but more critical, the ear is now tilted so that it can rest more comfortably and directly in your ear. There is also a new ear top which combines foam and silicone for a comfortable, stable and sealer adjustment.
And if you have already wanted smaller or more ears, the AirPod Pro 3 are delivered with medium tips out of the box, but you also get extra-extra, extra small, large and extra-large. I always felt quite comfortable with the medium, but they extend a little more ear and sit a little differently. They did not fall with a few head heads or even with a walk to test the monitoring of the heart rate.
You will also find a range of sensors, including a redesigned upper vent which is twice as important, and this works in conjunction with better use of space inside for the air flow and similar. There is this new heart rate sensor, which is different from that of the PowerBeats Pro 2, and you will also get the stem controller, which I am delighted to be there.
Now, I could not test the battery life, but here is what Apple promises: 8 hours with an active noise cancellation, which is an improvement of two hours and 10 hours for transparency mode. The case is also slightly larger with a new ultra -wide chip inside, but it is mainly a question of adapting to the slightly larger design here.
One last note – Airpods Pro has always come in a single color. Although you can bet that I always want colors. Imagine them in cosmic orange or sky blue.
Under the hood, Apple’s H2 chip returns with new algorithms, improvements in the adaptive equalizer and better sound all around. Playing Born to run By Bruce Springsteen delivered an energetic and precise vision of the sound effect wall, with the opening rush of drums, keys and piano leading to moving voices and saxophone.
Go to Alaska By Maggie Rogers highlighted the separation of channels and space audio. Overall, I was impressed by the bass of AirPods Pro 3 as well as the mediums and the light peaks.
Active noise cancellation has also impressed. In the demonstration area, he actually smothered the ambient noise even without a music game, and about 55% volume, the bottom sounds fell to the point of being barely perceptible. I want to see how he is on an plane, a train and in everyday environments, but so far, he feels strong. The mode of transparency also seemed natural, leaving the voices and environmental sounds without the hard buzz or the digital artifacts which can trip of other headphones.
Another remarkable functionality is live. Although it is not an industry first, Apple’s implementation adds polish. With the committed mode, the cancellation of the noise lights up, the beam formation microphones detect the voice of the speaker and – if it is in a supported language – you will hear the translation. The treatment occurs locally on your iPhone and AirPods, as language models are downloaded in advance. In my demo, reading was not instantaneous, but it seemed natural and conversational, and the transcription appeared on the iPhone screen. The speed will vary depending on the language, but the experience felt fluid even with the short break before the audio translated.
Apple has also integrated heart tracking with a new infrared sensor. It is even smaller than the sensor made by Apple in the PowerBeats Pro 2 and avoids the use of the green light, instead with personalized algorithm and software for precision.
If you wear both an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3 during a training session, Apple automatically chooses the flow it considers more reliable. During my test walk using the iPhone drive application, the AirPods followed the heart rate, and this looked like a really useful health functionality. The headphones and the case are now classified IP57, adding additional sustainability.
The wider point of view is that the AirPods Pro 3 do not remove anything from previous generations but add significant upgrades – a better ANC, refined sound, monitoring of heart rate, live translation and improved durability – while holding the same price of $ 249.99 in the United States from these first ears, they feel like a clear step.
And if you are mainly enthusiastic about live translation, this feature also arrives at Airpod Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC.
