AirPods Pro 3 are finally here, arriving three years after their predecessor. But is Apple’s new model worth the upgrade? Here’s how AirPods Pro 3 compare vs. AirPods Pro 2.
Audio feature upgrades
AirPods Pro 3 offer strong improvements to the core audio features that AirPods users know and love.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can impressively remove up to 2x more noise than AirPods Pro 2, and up to 4x more than the original AirPods Pro. Apple says it’s “the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones.”
The updated internal design of AirPods Pro 3 also comes with improvements to Adaptive EQ and Transparency mode, as explained by Apple:
AirPods Pro 3 feature a new multiport acoustic architecture that precisely controls the airflow that carries sound into the ear, helping deliver an exceptional spatial listening experience. With next-generation Adaptive EQ, the new architecture transforms the bass response, widens the soundstage so users hear every instrument, and brings vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies across music, shows, and calls. With a more personalized Transparency, a user’s own voice — and the people speaking to them — sounds more natural than ever, helping them stay connected to their surroundings without missing a beat.
Design and fit
Apple has given AirPods Pro 3 an updated design that looks similar to AirPods Pro 2, but with some key differences.
Each AirPod is now smaller than before, though from a distance it may be hard to tell.
Five ear tips are included with AirPods Pro 3 vs. only four with AirPods Pro 2. The fifth option is an XXS size.
Ear tip changes aren’t just limited to one new size though.
Every AirPods Pro 3 ear tip is now foam-infused, offering a more secure fit that, for some users, is more comfortable too.
Health sensors and durability
Last year Apple gave AirPods Pro 2 new Hearing Health features, but AirPods Pro 3 push the health focus even further.
AirPods Pro 3 include a new heart rate sensor, enabling users to track their heart rate during a workout with no Apple Watch required.
Here’s how it works:
AirPods Pro 3 introduce a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that shines invisible infrared light pulsed at 256 times per second to measure light absorption in blood flow. Combined with sensor fusion from the AirPods Pro accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and a new on-device AI model on iPhone, users can start up to 50 different workout types, track their heart rate and calories burned, close their Move ring, and earn awards in the Fitness app.
Related to this growing emphasis on AirPods Pro as a fitness device, water and dust resistance is now better than ever.
AirPods Pro 3 come with IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance, compared to AirPods Pro 2’s IP54 rating.
Extended battery life, with an asterisk
Apple pitched improved battery life as an advantage of AirPods Pro 3. But the story is slightly more nuanced than that.
AirPods Pro 3 offer 8 hours of listening per charge with ANC enabled. That’s a significant 33% increase over the 6 hour estimate for AirPods Pro 2.
It’s even better news in Transparency mode, where AirPods Pro 3 get up to 10 hours of battery on a single charge—67 percent better than before.
However, as identified by my colleague Benjamin, AirPods Pro 3’s charging case actually provides less overall capacity than AirPods Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 3 listening time with a fully-charged case is only 24 hours. AirPods Pro 2, meanwhile, are estimated to provide up to 30 hours.
Find My improvement with U2 chip
AirPods Pro 3’s charging case comes with an updated U2 chip for Find My integration. This second-generation Ultra Wideband chip should make it easier to locate a lost AirPods case.
AirPods Pro 2 include the first-gen U1 chip, which doesn’t benefits from Precision Finding at the larger distance ranges supported by U2.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: wrap-up
Overall, AirPods Pro 3 offer several fantastic updates to what’s already one of the best Apple products. Despite the lack of a new chip, Apple has found other ways to offer big ANC upgrades and improvements to core audio features. Live Translation is also a compelling addition, but you’ll be able to use the feature on AirPods Pro 2 as well.
If you want improved audio features and better battery life, along with the benefits of a better fit, heart rate sensor, and other minor changes, AirPods Pro 3 have a lot to offer.
Did you upgrade from AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3? What’s your experience been like? Let us know in the comments.
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