I have run AirPods Pro 2 daily since their launch in 2023 (and Lightning Port -Dem before that, and the original AirPods before that), so I was pretty excited about the third generation of Apple’s real wireless earplugs to debut.
Apple just made the AirPods Pro 3 officer together with a number of other devices, including iPhone Air, and these earplugs have a high bar to follow. Not only from AirPods Pro 2, but also from an ever-growing sea of competitors-see just on our best earplugs.
Shortly after the event, I got to try AirPods Pro 3: Testing the new fit, spinning a track and trying out the improved active noise cancellation. Apple’s H2 -Chip still drives the experience, but with fresh algorithms and software adjustments are being pushed for treatment force now.
I also got to try two exciting additions, both of which are brand new: the heart rate tracking functionality and a quick preview of live translation. But let’s start with the first big improvement here: The care.
It is clear that Apple took a page out of the AirPods 4 design with AirPods Pro 3. Left and Right AirPods Pro itself are a little smaller, but more critical is EARTIP now further angled so it can rest more comfortably and directly in your ear. There is also a new ear tip that combines foam and silicone for a comfortable, stable and sealing pass.
And if you’ve ever wanted smaller ear tips or bigger, AirPods Pro 3 comes with medium-sized tips out of the box, but you also get extra-Extra small, extra small, big and extra large. I still felt pretty comfortable with the medium, but these extend a little more out of my ear and sit a little differently. They did not fall out with a couple of head shaking tests or even with a trip to test heart rate tracking.
You will also find a number of sensors, including a redesigned top valve that is twice as large, and this works with a better use of the space inside the air flow and the like. There is the new heart frequency sensor that is different from the one on Powerbeats Pro 2, and you also still get the tribal controller, which I am Stooked still here.
Now I did not get the life of the test battery, but here is what Apple is promising: 8 hours of active noise reduction on, which is an improvement with two hours and 10 hours for transparency. The case is also a little bigger with a new Ultra Wideband chip inside, but it is mostly to accommodate the slightly higher design here.
One last note – AirPods Pro still comes in only one color. Although you can bet that I still want colors. Imagine these in cosmic orange or sky blue.
Under the cap, Apple’s H2 chip returns with fresh algorithms, improvements to adaptive EQ and better sound around. Player Born to run By Bruce Springsteen delivered a powerful and accurate recording of the wall of sound effect, with the opening pussy of drums, keys and piano that led into vocals and the soul saxophone.
Switch to Alaska By Maggie Rogers highlighted channel separation and spatial sound. As a whole, I was impressed with the base of AirPods Pro 3 as well as the clear middle and heights.
Active noise cancellation also impressed. In the demo area, the effective surrounding noise, even without music, dampened, and at about 55% volumes, background sounds dropped to the point that they were hardly noticeable. I want to see how it holds up on a plane, train and everyday environments, but so far it feels strong. Transparency state also sounded natural and let voices and environmental sounds without the harsh humminges or digital artifacts that can trigger other earplugs.
Live translation is another standout feature. Although not an industry first, Apple’s implementation adds Polish. With the intervention that is the intervention, noise cancellation is turned on, the radiation -forming microphones detect the speaker’s voice and – if it is in a supported language – you will hear the translation. The treatment is done locally on your iPhone and AirPods as the language models are downloaded in advance. In my demo, playback was not immediate, but it sounded natural and conversation, and the transcription appeared on the iPhone screen. The speed varies depending on the language, but the experience felt smooth, even with the short break before the translated sound.
Apple also has built -in heart rate tracking with a new infrared sensor. It is even smaller than the apple sensor in the Powerbeats Pro 2 and avoids the use of green light, instead pairing with a custom algorithm and software for accuracy.
If you carry both an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3 during a workout, Apple automatically chooses which power it considers more reliable. On my test hike using the iPhone Workout app, AirPod’s heartbeat is tracked well and it felt like a really useful health function. Both the earbuds and the case are now IP57 classified, which adds extra durability.
The wider takeaway is that AirPods Pro 3 does not take anything away from previous generations, but adds meaningful upgrades-Bedre ANC, refined sound, heart rate tracking, live translation and improved shelf life they have the same $ 249.99 price in the US from this first ear they want a clear step forward.
And if you are mainly excited about live translation, this feature will also come to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC.
