AirPods Pro 3

Introduced in September 2025, the AirPods Pro 3 represent the biggest leap forward in Apple's wireless earbuds lineup in years. Because the AirPods Pro 3 are brand new, now is a good time to buy. It will be at least a year before there's an updated model, and it could be several years.

The AirPods Pro 3 are ideal for users who want to get the best wireless earbuds that Apple sells. They have 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.

At $249, the same price as the previous generation, the AirPods Pro 3 are more expensive than the AirPods 4, but offer silicone tips for a tighter fit that blocks out more noise, and better ANC.

If you have the original AirPods Pro or even the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth the upgrade.

For those seeking alternatives, Apple offers the AirPods 4 with optional ANC at $179, or the standard AirPods 4 at $129. For those who prefer headphones, the over-ear AirPods Max are available for $549.

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's latest high-end flagship earbuds, offering Active Noise Cancellation, heart rate tracking, sound quality improvements, Live Translation, and more. The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 and are sold alongside the $129 AirPods 4, the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC, and the $549 AirPods Max.

Apple updated the design of the AirPods Pro 3, though on the whole, the earbuds look similar to the AirPods Pro 2. Apple reengineered the AirPods Pro 3 using more than 10,000 ear scans and over 100,000 hours of user research to improve the fit. The internal AirPods architecture was overhauled to make each AirPod smaller, and the geometry of the ear tip was aligned to the center of the body for better stability. Compared to the prior-generation AirPods, the ear tips are rotated slightly inward.

The updated shape is meant to have a better fit in the ear canal, improving sound isolation and ensuring that the AirPods Pro stay in place during workouts. The AirPods Pro 3 are the same height as the AirPods Pro 2 with no change to the stem, but they are deeper and a bit slimmer in width. The AirPods Pro 3 feature new foam-infused silicone ear tips in five sizes, including XXS (a new size), XS, S, M, and L. The new foam tips provide improved passive noise isolation. The AirPods Pro 3 now offer IP57 sweat and water resistance, up from IP54.

The AirPods Charging Case is slightly larger than before, with a capacitive pairing button, a status LED hidden beneath the case surface, and an attachment point for a lanyard. Like the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 are available only in white. The case includes a built-in speaker for Find My, and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that enables Precision Finding.

Sound quality has improved thanks to an updated multiport acoustic architecture that more precisely controls the airflow that carries sound into the ear. Apple says that spatial audio is better than before, and with next-generation Adaptive EQ, the new architecture provides deeper bass, clearer vocals, and a wider soundstage with improved instrument separation.

Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 2× more noise than the AirPods Pro 2 with ultra-low noise microphones and advanced computational audio combined with the new foam tips. More personalized Transparency ensures that a user's voice and the people speaking sound more natural than before while still blocking out loud sounds. Though there are ANC and audio quality improvements, Apple did not introduce a new chip. The AirPods Pro 3 continue to use the H2 chip.

Apple added a heart rate sensor that uses invisible infrared light pulsed at 256 times per second to measure light absorption in blood flow. When paired with the accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and an on-device AI model on the iPhone, users can start up to 50 different workout types and track heart rate and calories burned. AirPods Pro 3 support Workout Buddy, an Apple Intelligence-powered workout assistant that provides personalized, motivational insights.

Battery life has improved and the AirPods Pro 3 last for up to eight hours with ANC on before needing to be recharged, or up to 6.5 hours when using heart rate sensing. The AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case extends that to 24 hours of total listening time with ANC enabled instead of 30 like the AirPods Pro 2. The Charging Case can be charged with USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, or an Apple Watch charger. Five minutes in the case provides one hour of listening time.

A Live Translation feature enables real-time in-person communication across different languages. Spoken audio is translated by the AirPods when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. Apple says that Live Translation is designed to help users understand another language and communicate with others by speaking naturally. Live Translation is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with additional languages coming later in 2025.

For those who use the AirPods as hearing aids, Conversation Boost is now automatic, amplifying voices and cutting down on background noise. Battery life in Transparency mode also lasts for up to 10 hours when using the AirPods Pro 3 as a hearing aid, so less frequent charging is needed.

The AirPods Pro 3 stem continues to offer Touch Control, with physical media playback and volume adjustment options that can be used with a swipe or a press. A new press and hold gesture allows the AirPods Pro 3 to serve as a camera remote for an iPhone.

Like all AirPods, the AirPods Pro 3 support automatic switching between devices, one-tap setup and pairing, and audio sharing.

The AirPods Pro 3 launched on Friday, September 19, following a pre-order period, and are priced at $249.

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The AirPods Pro 3 are available from Apple and other retailers. AirPods Pro are priced at $249, and can be customized with a Memoji, Animoji, or emoji engraving when ordered directly from Apple.

Whether you're new to AirPods or upgrading from an older model, most reviewers agree that the AirPods Pro 3 are worth the purchase price.

With an updated design and new foam-infused silicone ear tips that come in more sizes, the AirPods Pro 3 have a better fit in the ear, and feel more secure. Improved water resistance means they can better hold up to sweat, and the heart rate tracking is a useful feature for those who don't have an Apple Watch.

Reviewers found the in-ear heart rate sensing to be surprisingly accurate, and both the Apple Watch and the AirPods can feed data to the Health app.

Active Noise Cancellation is noticeably better than ANC in the AirPods Pro 2, and with the updated tips, there is improved passive noise isolation. Transparency mode is also better than before, and voices sound more natural, including your own voice.

Battery life on the AirPods Pro 3 is longer and lasts for up to eight hours, but the charging case battery brings total battery life to 24 hours instead of 30 hours, so it kind of balances out.

More AirPods Pro 3 reviews can be found in our AirPods Pro 3 review roundup.

Apple did not drastically change the design of the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the AirPods Pro 2, but there are some tweaks that are noticeable, and some that you won't see at first glance.

The AirPods Pro 3 continue to be available in white, and Apple does not offer other color options.

Earbuds

The AirPods Pro 3 have the same general design, featuring a silicone tip that seals in the ear canal, a rounded body that fits into the ear, and a stem at the bottom that supports different gestures.

Apple tweaked the actual shape of the earbuds this time around, introducing a more ergonomic fit based on 10,000 ear scans and over 100,000 hours of user testing. According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 are the most secure and best-fitting AirPods to date.

The earbuds are slightly smaller, and the geometry of the ear tips was aligned to the center of the body for improved stability. The result is earbuds that look similar to the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, but that have a slightly different curve for the portion that goes inside the ear.

Speakers, microphones, and the heart rate sensor also mean the various cutouts on the AirPods Pro 3 are distinct from the AirPods Pro 2 cutouts. There are dual beamforming microphones along with an inward-facing microphone.

The AirPods Pro 3 measure 30.9mm tall, 19.2mm wide, and 27mm deep. They are the same height as the AirPods Pro 2, but are less wide and are deeper (AirPods Pro 2 were 21.8mm wide and 24mm deep). They weigh just a bit more at 5.55 grams each.

Tips

Rather than using a simple silicone tip, the AirPods Pro 3 feature a foam-infused silicone tip. There is a thin layer of foam at the base of the ear tip, for a cushier feel at the spot where the ear tip meets the ear. The part of the ear tip that's actually in the ear is the same silicone material as before, with the foam limited to the base.

Ear tips come in five sizes this year, with Apple adding an XXS size. Sizes include XXS, XS, S, M, and L.

Touch Control

The AirPods Pro 3 support the same touch gestures that the AirPods Pro 2 offered.

• Single press - Play or pause media, answer a call, mute or unmute, or press to activate the camera remote feature on a paired iPhone.
• Double press - Skip forward, or end a call.
• Triple press - Skip back.
• Press and hold - Switch between listening modes like ANC and Transparency.
• Swipe - Swipe up or down to adjust volume.

There are also gesture-based controls that use head movements. You can shake your head no to decline a call, respond to Siri, or dismiss a notification. You can nod your head yes to accept a call or respond to Siri.

Water Resistance

The AirPods Pro 3 feature IP57 sweat and water resistance. The "7" means that the AirPods Pro 3 are rated to be able to survive immersion in water that's one meter deep for up to 30 minutes.

In real life, the IP57 rating means the AirPods Pro 3 can hold up to rain, splashing water, and sweat. Apple does not guarantee against liquid exposure, however, so you should still aim to keep them dry when possible.

The "5" actually refers to dust protection, and it means that the AirPods Pro 3 are not fully sealed against dust, but have enough protection that dust shouldn't affect normal operation.

Charging Case

The AirPods Pro 3 charging case is similar to the AirPods Pro 2 charging case, but it is slightly larger. It has a USB-C port at the bottom for charging, a lanyard loop at the side, a built-in speaker, a hidden capacitive button used for pairing, and an LED light that displays charging status.

The Charging Case has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip inside, which enables Precision Finding for locating the AirPods with Find My when they're lost. An included speaker is able to play a sound as well. According to Apple, the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip increases the distance of Precision Finding by 1.5× when used with an iPhone Air or an iPhone 15 or later, with the exception of the iPhone 16e.

The AirPods Pro 3 charging case is 47.2mm tall, 62.2mm wide, and 21.8mm thick, while the AirPods Pro 2 case was 45.2mm tall, 60.6mm wide, and 21.7mm thick. The AirPods Pro 3 case is lighter because it has a smaller battery, so it weighs 43.99 grams vs. the AirPods Pro 2's 50.8 gram weight.

The AirPods Pro 3 continue to feature the same H2 chip that was in the AirPods Pro 2. The H2 chip powers all of the AirPods Pro functionality like Active Noise Cancellation.

Other hardware in the AirPods Pro 3 includes a skin-detect sensor for automatic playback and pausing when you remove the earbuds, a motion-detecting accelerometer, a skin-detecting sensor, and a heart rate sensor.

The H2 chip supports "Siri" or "Hey Siri" voice-based commands for placing a call, getting directions, playing a song, or whatever else you might use Siri for on your iPhone.

Apple designed the AirPods Pro 3 with an updated multiport acoustic architecture that precisely controls the airflow that carries sound into the ear. Apple says that the design allows for an "exceptional spatial listening experience."

A custom-built driver and amplifier create high-definition, three-dimensional sound, and Apple says distortion is kept "superlow."

Next-generation Adaptive EQ improves the bass response and widens the soundstage so that each instrument sounds distinct. Vocals are clearer at higher frequencies for a more vivid listening experience. Apple says that the new Adaptive EQ customizes a sound signature for each user's ear geometry and fit, with Personalized Volume using machine learning to understand listening patterns and adapt to preferences over time.

Like the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 support personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, for a surround sound-like experience when listening to music and watching TV shows. Content needs to have spatial audio support for the functionality to work.

Active Noise Cancellation

Apple added ultra-low noise microphones to the AirPods Pro 3, and combined with the foam-infused silicone tips and more advanced computational audio, Active Noise Cancellation is better than before.

ANC is up to 2× more effective than AirPods Pro 2, and 4× more noise is removed compared to the original AirPods Pro.

Transparency

The AirPods Pro 3 continue to have a Transparency setting that uses the microphones to pick up ambient sounds, a feature that is useful when you don't want to cut out all of the noise around you.

With the AirPods Pro 3, Transparency has a more natural sound for voices, including the wearer's voice.

Adaptive Audio

Adaptive Audio is an AirPods Pro 3 listening mode that blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation in real time, tailoring noise control to your environment as it changes.

Conversation Awareness

With Conversation Awareness, the AirPods Pro 3 can detect when you're speaking to someone nearby, and the volume of what's playing will be lowered. When you've finished speaking, the volume goes back to the previous level.

There's also a Voice Isolation feature that reduces background noise and isolates voices when on a phone call.

Apple added a small, custom-built heart rate sensor to the AirPods Pro 3. The photoplethysmography sensor shines infrared light pulses in the ear 256 times per second, measuring light absorption in blood flow.

With sensor fusion info from the accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and an on-device AI model that runs on the iPhone, users can track their heart rate and calories burned across 50 different workout types.

Heart rate data from the AirPods Pro 3 is reported to the Health app and can be used for closing Activity rings and earning Fitness app awards even without an Apple Watch.

Apple Fitness+ users can see real-time performance metrics from the AirPods Pro 3 on their screens, viewing data like heart rate, calories burned, Move ring progress, and the Burn Bar.

Workout Buddy

When paired with an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 support Workout Buddy, an AI feature that provides workout motivation and guidance. Apple first introduced Workout Buddy as an Apple Watch feature in watchOS 26, but with AirPods Pro 3, an Apple Watch is not required to use Workout Buddy.

Workout Buddy uses a text-to-speech generative AI model that was created with voice data from real Apple Fitness+ trainers. Workout Buddy is available for higher impact workouts like running, cycling, HIIT training, walking, hiking, and strength training.

By using fitness trainers, Workout Buddy is able to sound like a personal trainer who might motivate you to get through a workout in the gym. Apple says that it is designed to provide the right energy, style, and tone for each workout type that you're doing. There are multiple voices that you can choose from for Workout Buddy.

Workout Buddy uses your historical personal fitness data like ring streaks, pace, and training load. The information is analyzed and then compared to your current workout in real time to encourage you to meet or beat your prior targets.

Workout Buddy sessions begin with a short pep talk that congratulates you for getting up and moving. The motivational talks include information like how long you need to move to close your Exercise ring, or how much activity you've done earlier in the week.

During important parts of your workout, such as splits on a run, Workout Buddy provides encouragement. It's also able to call out milestones like an all-time calorie burning record, a landmark number of miles cycling, or a new best time on a run. At the end of a workout, Workout Buddy congratulates you on your effort and recaps what you've done.

Live Translation is an Apple Intelligence feature that provides real-time language translation for in-person conversations. Users can speak naturally while wearing AirPods, with the AirPods translating conversations that are in a different language.

For conversations with non-AirPods wearers, the iPhone is able to display translations back to the speaker, for two-way conversations. The feature works even better when both conversation participants wear compatible AirPods models. An iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence is required.

Live Translation works on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Supported languages include English (U.K. and U.S.), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. iOS 26.1, currently in beta, appears set to add Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).

Apple offers several hearing health related features for the AirPods, for hearing loss prevention, awareness, and assistance. Hearing Protection is designed to reduce loud sounds with a combination of passive noise reduction and active reduction of louder, intermittent sounds.

There is a built-in Hearing Test feature that lets users check their hearing from their home, with results stored in the Health app.

Personalized audio adjustments can be made based on the results of the hearing test, with the AirPods Pro 3 able to augment mild to moderate hearing loss.

With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple improved its hearing health features by introducing an automatic Conversation Boost feature that amplifies voices while cutting down on background sounds.

• Automatic Device Switching - The AirPods Pro 3 can automatically pair with Apple devices, and automatically switch between them.
• Vision Pro - The AirPods Pro 3 support 20-bit 48kHz lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro.
• Bluetooth - Like the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 support the Bluetooth 5.3 specification.
• Studio Quality Recording - With iOS 26 the AirPods Pro 3 offer studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, songs, videos, and more.
• Sleep audio pausing - The AirPods Pro 3 audio can pause when you fall asleep if you enable the functionality.
• Find My - The AirPods Pro 3 and the MagSafe Charging Case work with the Find My app.

The AirPods Pro 3 last for up to eight hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, up from six hours in the AirPods Pro 2. Five minutes in the case provides approximately one hour of listening time.

When using heart rate sensing during workouts, the AirPods Pro 3 last for up to 6.5 hours.

In Transparency mode used for hearing aid functionality, the AirPods Pro 3 last for up to 10 hours before needing to be recharged.

The MagSafe Charging Case boosts total battery life to 24 hours of listening time, which is lower than the AirPods Pro 2 Charging Case that provided 30 hours of listening time. The case can be charged with USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, or the Apple Watch Charging Puck.

The AirPods Pro 3 are available alongside the AirPods 4, priced starting at $129, and the over-ear AirPods Max, priced at $549.

Apple's AirPods 4 are similar to the AirPods Pro, but without silicone ear tips. The cheaper model priced at $129 does not offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, but the $179 model includes ANC plus a wireless charging case that also includes a speaker for Find My support. The AirPods Max also feature ANC, but are larger over-ear headphones made from aluminum.

Based on Apple's patent filings, a future version of the AirPods or AirPods Pro could include a built-in interactive touchscreen display on the case that would let users control audio sources and interact with apps associated with the connected device, though there are no specific rumors of this technology coming anytime soon.

A future version of the AirPods will reportedly include integrated infrared camera modules to improve spatial experiences when paired with the Vision Pro headset. The cameras will work similarly to the Face ID system on the iPhone, scanning the area surrounding the user to better map the environment. The cameras could also provide data for more advanced AI capabilities.

The IR cameras will allow for a broader range of gestures that will improve user interaction and the syncing of audio to head movement. The cameras that will be added to the AirPods could also be used to scan the environment and describe objects, similar to the Visual Intelligence feature that's available on newer iPhones.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we could see these new AirPods as soon as 2026, but it is not yet clear if the feature will be added to the standard AirPods or a version of the AirPods Pro. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman thinks we could get AirPods with cameras in 2027.

• September 26 - Launch update.
• September 11 - Redone for AirPods Pro 3.