What Are Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Apple AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s latest flagship wireless earbuds, engineered to deliver premium sound, stronger active noise cancellation, and a deeper connection to health and communication features across the Apple ecosystem.[1][3][5] They update the popular AirPods Pro line with a redesigned internal architecture, new sensors, and smarter software features that go beyond basic music listening.[1][3]
Built around Apple’s H2 headphone chip and a new multiport acoustic design, AirPods Pro 3 aim to provide richer bass, clearer vocals, and a wider soundstage than previous models.[1][3] At the same time, they integrate capabilities like heart rate sensing, hearing assistance, and live translation, reflecting Apple’s push to make AirPods central to fitness, accessibility, and everyday productivity.[2][3][4]
Key Features: Sound and Noise Cancellation
A major focus of AirPods Pro 3 is audio quality, with a custom high‑excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier tuned for more powerful low frequencies and detailed highs.[1][3] Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking helps create a surround‑sound-like experience for compatible content, adjusting the sound field as the user moves their head for greater immersion.[1][3][6]
Active Noise Cancellation has also been significantly upgraded, combining new microphones, foam‑infused ear tips, and improved computational audio.[3][5] Apple reports that AirPods Pro 3 can remove up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2, which is especially beneficial on flights, trains, or in busy offices.[3][4] For moments when users need awareness, the enhanced Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness keep voices natural while still reducing harsh environmental sounds.[3][6]
Fitness, Health, and Live Translation
AirPods Pro 3 add a built‑in heart rate sensor that uses photoplethysmography to measure heart rate during workouts, making them a more capable fitness accessory.[2][3][5] When paired with an iPhone, they can help track heart rate and calories burned across dozens of workout types in the Fitness app, which is particularly useful for users who want workout metrics without always wearing a dedicated fitness watch.[3][4]
On the hearing and accessibility side, AirPods Pro 3 integrate Hearing Test, Hearing Aid functionality, automatic Conversation Boost, and Hearing Protection, all configurable through Apple devices.[2][3][6] In addition, Live Translation allows users to handle multilingual conversations more easily by translating speech in real time, which is especially impactful for travel, international collaboration, and everyday interactions in diverse environments.[2][3][4]
Design, Battery Life, and Daily Use
The physical design of AirPods Pro 3 has been refined for comfort and stability, with foam‑infused ear tips available in five sizes, including a new XXS size to fit more users securely.[1][3] The earbuds and MagSafe USB‑C charging case now feature an IP57 rating, offering improved resistance to dust, sweat, and water, which better suits them for intense workouts and unpredictable weather.[3][5]
Battery performance has also improved, delivering up to eight hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled and even longer in certain modes like Transparency with Hearing Aid features.[1][3] Combined with automatic device switching, Siri support, personalized volume, and easy control through the iOS Settings app, AirPods Pro 3 are designed to function as an always‑on companion for music, calls, fitness, and accessibility throughout the day.[1][5][6]