I’ve been watching the AirPods Pro lineup for a while now, and with the AirPods Pro 3 officially out, I think it’s worth breaking down what actually changed and whether any of it matters in the real world.
Let me give you the full picture.
What Is the AirPods Pro 3?
Apple’s latest flagship earbuds, powered by the H2 chip. Same chip as the Pro 2, but the acoustic architecture was rebuilt from scratch. New driver, new amplifier, new microphone setup. İt’s not just a spec bump on paper.
The price sits at $249 in the US. Not cheap, but not surprising either.
Active Noise Cancellation: The Headline Feature
Apple claims up to 2x better ANC compared to AirPods Pro 2. And 4x compared to the first generation Pro.
I’ll be honest, those “x times better” numbers from Apple marketing usually need to be taken with a grain of salt. But the underlying change is real: new ultra-low-noise microphones combined with more advanced computational audio. The idea is that the system now adapts automatically to your environment rather than applying a fixed noise cancellation profile.
Five ear tip sizes including XXS are in the box. The fit improvements alone could make a noticeable difference for people who struggled with the Pro 2.
Heart Rate Sensor: A Genuine Surprise
This one I didn’t see coming. AirPods Pro 3 has a built-in heart rate sensor for workouts.
It uses LED sensors pulsing 256 times per second combined with accelerometers. Works with the Fitness app on iPhone and supports up to 50 workout types. No Apple Watch required.
For people who run or cycle and don’t want to wear a watch, this is actually a meaningful addition. Whether the accuracy holds up in real-world use is a different question but the hardware is there.
Battery Life
8 hours with ANC on. That’s 2 hours more than the Pro 2 in the same conditions.
Total with the case: 24 hours. 5 minutes of charging gives you about 1 hour of playback. MagSafe charging case, compatible with Apple Watch chargers, Qi, and USB-C.
IP57 Rating
Previous AirPods Pro models had IP54. The Pro 3 steps up to IP57, which means it can handle submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Not that you’d swim with them, but it’s a meaningful upgrade for sweaty workouts and unexpected rain.
Spatial Audio and Everything Else
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is still here, and it still works the way it has since the Pro 2. The new Adaptive EQ adjusts in real time based on how the earbuds sit in your specific ear canal.
Conversation Awareness where it detects you’re talking to someone and automatically lowers the volume carries over from Pro 2 as well.
Bluetooth 5.3, same as before.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Coming from AirPods Pro 1: yes, without question. The ANC difference is real, battery life is significantly better, and the heart rate sensor alone is a compelling reason if you work out regularly.
Coming from AirPods Pro 2: harder to justify. Better ANC, better battery, IP57, and the heart rate sensor are the only new things. If any of those matter to you specifically, the upgrade makes sense. If you’re happy with your Pro 2s, there’s no urgency.
First time buying AirPods Pro: this is the version to get. No compromises.
What do you think about the heart rate sensor being added to earbuds? Drop your thoughts below.
Veysel Okatan