Enhanced Noise Cancellation, Battery Life, and New Features Make the AirPods Pro 3 a Compelling Upgrade for Existing Users

Apple has once again refined its AirPods Pro line with the release of the AirPods Pro 3, offering a range of improvements that may entice even the most loyal users to upgrade. While the new model retains the familiar design and functionality that made its predecessors popular, it introduces subtle yet impactful changes in fit, battery life, noise cancellation, and even health monitoring capabilities.

The most notable upgrade is the enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC), which Apple claims blocks out twice as much sound as the previous generation. This improvement not only helps drown out ambient noise like traffic, construction, and chatter but also enhances the clarity of calls by reducing background interference. The reviewer noted that even loud environments—such as a nearby pickleball match—were significantly muted, though not entirely eliminated.

Battery life has also seen a boost, with the AirPods Pro 3 offering up to eight hours of listening time with active noise cancellation enabled, compared to six hours on the Pro 2. When used as a hearing aid, the new model lasts up to 10 hours. However, the charging case now provides 24 hours of listening time, down from 30 hours previously. Despite this reduction, the AirPods Pro 3 managed to last through a full workday for the reviewer, switching between transparency and noise cancellation modes as needed. The reviewer noted that while the battery life is not enough for an 11-hour flight, it’s more than sufficient for daily use.

The new AirPods Pro 3 also feature a heart-rate monitoring system, which uses an infrared sensor inside each bud to track the user’s pulse. This feature, available through the Fitness app on iOS 16, allows users to monitor their heart rate during workouts and sync the data with HealthKit-compatible apps like Peloton and Ladder. However, the heart-rate monitoring does come at the cost of reduced battery life, bringing it down to 6.5 hours. The reviewer also noted that while the feature is useful, it doesn’t support broadcasting heart rate data over Bluetooth to gym equipment, unlike some competitors like the Powerbeats Pro 2.

One of the most anticipated new features is Live Translation, which allows users to translate spoken language in real-time through their AirPods. While the feature is not exclusive to the Pro 3 and will also be available on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, the reviewer found the translation to be delayed and occasionally inaccurate. Despite these limitations, the feature is still in beta and may improve over time. The reviewer tested the feature with a family member who speaks French, and while the translation was functional, it had some delays and occasional errors, such as “down” becoming “done” and “smoothie” becoming “movie.”

Apple has also made some design changes to the AirPods Pro 3. The buds are slightly smaller and come with new silicone-foam hybrid tips designed to improve fit and sound blocking. However, the reviewer found the new tips to be stiffer than the previous generation, leading to ear fatigue after extended use. The tips come in a wider range of sizes to accommodate more ear shapes, but users cannot use their old tips with the new AirPods. The charging case is slightly larger and no longer has a rear setup button, requiring users to double-tap the front of the case to pair with non-Apple devices.

For users who already own a working pair of AirPods Pro 2, the decision to upgrade may depend on the need for the new features and the condition of the existing earbuds. Apple has also rolled out some of the Pro 3’s software upgrades to the older models, including Live Translation and improved settings for hearing-aid users. These updates allow the AirPods Pro 2 to automatically boost conversations in loud environments, making them more accessible for users with hearing impairments.

Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 represents a refined evolution of Apple’s flagship earbuds, offering incremental improvements that may justify an upgrade for those seeking enhanced performance and new features. However, for users with functioning AirPods Pro 2, the decision to switch may come down to personal preference and specific needs. If you’re looking for a more immersive audio experience, better noise cancellation, and new health and translation features, the AirPods Pro 3 is definitely worth considering.