After years of rumors, Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 have arrived. They include a number of new features that enshrine them as the best true wireless earbuds out there.
The new earbuds were shown off by Apple during its "Awe Dropping" iPhone 17 event in September. I've been testing them out for the last week, and so far I've been exceptionally happy with the release.
I'm not going to spend too long on a lot of the flagship AirPods Pro features. Many of these features been around since the first set debuted in 2016.
AirPods Pro 3 still effortlessly connect to all your devices, up to and including the Apple TV. They have fantastic range and the ability to share your audio with a second person.
They have active noise cancellation, transparency mode, conversation boost, and more. Great. We've been over those before.
I want to focus on the new features.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Updated case
Working from the outside in, Apple made a few iterative and expected changes to the charging case. At first blush, the case looks nearly identical to its predecessor.
After a bit more examination, you'll notice the button located on the back of the case is gone, as has the front-facing LED.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The updated case ditches the button and LED
Apple duplicated the design it first implemented on the AirPods 4. The LED is hidden behind the plastic shell. That button has been replaced by a series of tapping gestures.
This is a good design change. The button attracted dirt around the edges, so a potential point of failure is lessened somewhat by the tap mechanism.
The case itself is just a hair narrower than before and slightly taller. It also feels a bit lighter than before, but I'll be coming back to that.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The new AirPods Pro 3 have a better tracking chip
Otherwise, the last big change is the move to Apple's U2 ultra Wideband chip. The chip itself isn't entirely new, but Apple officially calling it the "U2," is.
Apple says that the new chip delivers up to 1.5 times the range of the original U1 chip in the second-generation AirPods Pro. This is a bit of a mixed bag.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The new U2 chip offers much better Find My range
In general, depending on the environment, the range was at least twice as good, and it made a huge difference in trying to find them. In one test, I was across my house almost 50 feet away, and it was still giving me directional tracking.
If you have a plaster lathe house, a lot of cinderblocks, all-brick construction or metal studs in your walls, you may not see the same. While this is not Wi-Fi, any material that impacts Wi-Fi range will also hit Ultra Wideband range.
My AirPods Pro 2, though, didn't connect that far away, and I didn't get them to show up at all until just over 20 feet. The precision finding didn't show up until I was even closer.
AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 review: Redesigned earbuds
The earbuds have been redesigned too. Apple has changed the physical shape for the first time since originally introducing the AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The ear tips now come in XXS to L
The buds are now smaller, which, in theory, should result in them fitting more ears.
They also now come with five sizes of ear tips, from XXS to L. This actually does result in a better fit.
Furthering the fit improvements, the ear tip now extends more into the ear and won't press up against the side as much. After hours already of wearing the new AirPods Pro 3, I've found them to be very comfortable.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The new earbud (left) compared to the old earbud (right)
So far, I've had no issues with them or the fit. I did change sizes, though, opting for the small rather than the medium as with years past.
The ear tips have been updated too, including a ring of foam to help block out external noises. They also have a different shape and clip, meaning replacements are not compatible with older models.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The new earbuds are very comfortable
I lived with AirPods Pro 3 for this review. I worked out, took flights, and wore them around the studio for hours, and they never slipped out or hurt my ears. The New AirPods Pro have the most reliable fit yet in my testing.
Apple also upped the environmental resistance of the buds too. They now have IP57 resistance, which means they can withstand limited dust ingress but will handle one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
That makes the AirPods Pro 3 the most durable AirPods to date on paper, though the Apple-owned Beats line has similar resistance.
We'll see how this looks over time.
AirPods Pro 3 review: ANC and audio quality
Technically, the AirPods Pro 3 retain the same-size custom driver as before. With all of the changes to the design and ports, audio quality and ANC have improved.
While listening, I noticed a slightly larger soundstage than before and notably higher bass.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Turn on ANC from Control Center
The earbuds have more oomph than before, which should appease many users who felt the AirPods Pro were lacking in the lower end.
This was prevalent in all genres of music from the summer happy tunes of the 502's to the chart-topping Golden by Ejae.
Active noise cancellation is better as well, thanks to the new design and the improved seal. I took multiple flights with the AirPods Pro 3, and I could barely hear the drone of the plane at all.
While listening to music or a podcast, it was near-total isolation. It's hard to put a number on it, but Apple says it is twice as effective as the AirPods Pro 2 and four times as effective compared to the original.
Sure, I'll go with that.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The earbuds use the same transducer
I want to caution that there isn't a massive difference though. The audio quality and ANC definitely improve, but physics are remorseless.
With the same-size driver, and a very small air volume there is only so much that can be done.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Live Translation
Arguably one of the biggest features for the AirPods Pro 3 is Live Translation. This, though, isn't unique to the newest Apple earbuds.
It also comes to the other AirPods with iOS 26. That includes the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.
This feature lets you communicate with someone else in a different language. At launch, it supports English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).
Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) are expected to be added later this year via a software update.
To enable it, you can add it to the Action Button, as a Shortcut, or you can simply squeeze both stems of the AirPods.
I tested out this feature both in person, as well as by using a video. The real deal was the better experience.
The AirPods Pro's onboard beam-forming microphone hones in on the person in front of you. The rest of the room has its volume lowered to focus on who you're speaking to.
As translation begins, it also lowers the volume of who is talking. There is a bit of a lag, as tethered iPhone tells you in your language of choice what the speaker is saying with a bit of a lag.
It works very well. I'm excited about the avenues of communication that this will open up.
I love that this works without cellular data as well, if you're prepared. As long as the language models are downloaded to your phone, you won't need the internet at all to use this feature.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Software changes
AirPods Pro are a bit of a double-edged sword. If you compare the new AirPods Pro 3 to the launch AirPods Pro 2 at, the former would be a monumental upgrade.
AirPods Pro 3 review: The 2025 AirPods lineup
The AirPods Pro 3 have nodding and shaking head gestures, hearing protection and hearing tests, can take photos and video, and can make it easier to have a conversation. Not to mention Live Translate mode.
All of these features, though, were added via multiple software updates to the existing AirPods Pro 2. The new earbuds are less of a wholly new device.
If anything, it gives me hope that these will also be updated well into the future, even if they are keeping the same H2 chip on the inside.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Should you upgrade?
There are still other changes that I didn't dig into here, like how the improved ANC allows hearing tests to be taken in louder environments or how they have next-gen EQ to help tailor the sound to your ears.
AirPods Pro 3 have done nothing but build on the category-defining AirPods Pro 2. Everything about them is better.
AirPods Pro 3 review: AirPods Pro 3 are a great upgrade
Well, at least with one caveat. Overall battery life including the battery in the charging case is shorter. In total, expect only 24 hours.
That said, how much time you get on one charge has increased to eight hours from six.
Everything else is great, and it's nice to see new features arriving with the older models too. There are a lot of new features here as the best wireless earbuds get even better.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Pros
- Audio, transparency, and ANC all improved
- Redesigned fits even better than before
- Live translation is impressive
- No price increase
- More sizes of ear tips
AirPods Pro 3 review: Cons
- Many features have come to older models
- Heart rate tracking only relevant for workouts
Rating: 5 out of 5
Where to buy AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 can be ordered today at Amazon, with a retail price of $249. You can also track the best AirPods deals in our AirPods Price Guide.
