Apple finally launched the AirPods Pro 3 on September 9, 2025 – three years after the last model.
And this isn't just a small refresh. The new Pro earbuds come with noticeably better Active Noise Cancellation, a redesigned fir, and for the first time ever, build-in heart rate tracking with support for over 50 workout types through the iPhone's Fitness app.
The best part? Even with all these upgrades, Apple kept the same price tag. So, if you have been holding off on upgrading, now might be the perfect time to see what the new AirPods Pro 3 can really do.
The AirPods Pro 3 officially landed in stores on September 19.
Device
Release date
AirPods Pro
October 30, 2019
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
September 23, 2022
AirPods Pro (3rd generation)
September 9, 2025
AirPods Pro 3 price
The price comes in at $249, just like the previous generations, which is definitely good news for anyone looking to upgrade without paying extra. It means you get all the new features and improvements without having to stretch your budget.
Device
Price
AirPods Pro
$249
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
$249
AirPods Pro (3rd generation)
$249
AirPods Pro 3 design
The design is not that different. | Image credit – Apple
Apple sticks to its usual approach with the AirPods Pro 3, focusing more on improvements under the hood than drastic design changes.
So the clean white case with its familiar rounded-square shape is still here. And since the second-gen already made the switch to USB-C, it’s no surprise that the new generation uses the same charging standard.
However, the earbuds themselves have gone through some serious refinement. Apple analyzed over 10,000 ear scans and spent more than 100,000 hours on user research to make the AirPods Pro 3 the most secure and best-fitting AirPods yet. To achieve this, the internal design was completely reworked, making each AirPod smaller, while the external geometry of the ear tip was realigned to the center of the body for better stability.
The new foam-infused ear tips come in five sizes now, including a new XXS option, ensuring an even more comfortable and secure in-ear fit.
Apple also increased durability with IP57 sweat and water resistance, so the AirPods Pro 3 can handle tough workouts and unpredictable weather without breaking a sweat.
AirPods Pro 3 hardware and specs
On the inside, Apple put the H2 chipset. | Image credit – Apple
The AirPods Pro 3 continue to use the H2 chip from the previous generation but bring several notable upgrades.
They feature a new multiport acoustic architecture that precisely controls airflow into the ear, enhancing spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience. Combined with next-generation Adaptive EQ, the earbuds improve bass response, widen the soundstage, and deliver clearer vocals across music, shows, and calls.
The AirPods Pro 3 uses a new multiport acoustic architecture designed to provide a more immersive spatial audio experience. | Image credit – Apple
Meanwhile, Personalized Transparency mode makes both the user’s voice and surrounding voices sound more natural, keeping users connected to their environment.
The AirPods Pro 3 also delivers up to 2x more effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) than the AirPods Pro 2, removing 4x more noise than the original AirPods Pro. This is achieved through ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and foam-infused ear tips for improved passive isolation. With ANC on, music playback now reaches up to eight hours, a 33% increase over the previous generation.
The AirPods Pro 3 include a heart rate sensor that uses infrared light pulsed 256 times per second to track blood flow during workouts. | Image credit – Apple
Fitness features are enhanced with Apple’s smallest custom heart rate sensor and a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that pulses invisible infrared light 256 times per second to measure blood flow. Combined with accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and a new on-device AI model on iPhone, users can track up to 50 workout types, monitor heart rate and calories burned, close their Move ring, and earn Fitness app awards.
The Workout Buddy feature uses Apple Intelligence to provide personalized insights based on a user’s workout data and history. Apple Fitness+ users can also see real-time metrics like heart rate, calories burned, Move ring progress, and the Burn Bar directly on-screen.
Live Translation is available in beta, enabling hands-free in-person communication across select languages. It uses computational audio and Apple Intelligence to translate speech in real time during conversations, with an option to display live transcription on iPhone for those without the feature.
Supported languages include English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) coming later this year.
AirPods Pro 3 also continues Apple’s focus on hearing health, expanding the end-to-end hearing protection introduced last year. The earbuds help reduce exposure to loud environmental noise, and Hearing Protection is now available for EU and UK users.
AirPods Pro 3 battery life
The AirPods Pro 3 delivers noticeably better battery life than the previous model. With ANC turned on, you can now get up to 8 hours of playback – a nice bump from the 6 hours offered before. Switch to Transparency mode, and you will see an even bigger jump: up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is a 67% improvement.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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