AirPods Pro 3 Review: Apple's Best Earbuds Get Even Better

The AirPods Pro 3 represent Apple's most significant upgrade to their premium earbuds lineup, introducing groundbreaking features like adaptive audio intelligence, USB-C lossless audio, and advanced health monitoring that transform these earbuds into an essential wellness companion.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Chip	H3 chip with advanced computational audio
Audio Quality	Lossless audio via USB-C, Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Active Noise Cancellation	3rd-gen ANC, 2x better than AirPods Pro 2, Adaptive Transparency mode
Drivers	Custom high-excursion driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier
Microphones	6 microphones (3 per earbud) with beamforming and AI noise reduction
Battery Life	7 hours (ANC on), 30 hours with case, 1 hour charge = 6 hours playback
Charging	USB-C, MagSafe, Qi wireless, Apple Watch charger compatible
Controls	Force sensor with haptic feedback, volume swipe gestures, Siri voice control
Water Resistance	IP54 (earbuds and case)
Health Features	Hearing health monitoring, ear temperature sensor, hearing test, hearing aid mode
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C audio, Ultra Wideband (U2 chip), Find My support
Compatibility	iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Android (limited features)
Ear Tips	4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) silicone tips included
Weight	5.3g per earbud, 48g charging case
Price	$249

Design and Comfort

Apple has refined the AirPods Pro design with subtle but meaningful improvements. The earbuds are 10% smaller than the Pro 2, making them more comfortable for extended wear, especially for users with smaller ears. The new matte finish resists fingerprints and provides a more premium feel.

The charging case now features a USB-C port (finally!), a built-in speaker for Find My alerts, and a lanyard loop for easy attachment to bags or keychains. The case is also IP54 rated, matching the earbuds' water and dust resistance.

Four sizes of silicone ear tips ensure a perfect fit for virtually any ear shape. The Ear Tip Fit Test in iOS helps you find the ideal size for optimal sound quality and noise cancellation.

Sound Quality: Lossless Audio Revolution

The most significant upgrade is lossless audio support via USB-C. When connected to an iPhone 17 Pro or newer device with a USB-C cable, you can enjoy true lossless audio quality that rivals wired audiophile headphones.

Audio Performance

• Adaptive EQ: Automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear in real-time
• Spatial Audio: Immersive 3D sound with dynamic head tracking
• Personalized Spatial Audio: Uses iPhone TrueDepth camera to create a custom sound profile
• Rich bass: Deep, punchy low-end without distortion
• Crystal-clear highs: Detailed treble with excellent separation

The sound signature is balanced and natural, with excellent detail across all frequencies. Whether you're listening to classical music, hip-hop, or podcasts, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver exceptional clarity and depth.

Active Noise Cancellation: Best in Class

The 3rd-generation ANC is a massive leap forward, offering twice the noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2. The H3 chip processes audio 48,000 times per second, adapting to your environment in real-time.

ANC Performance

• Airplane noise: Virtually eliminates engine drone and cabin noise
• Office environments: Blocks keyboard clicks, conversations, and HVAC systems
• Public transit: Reduces subway rumble and traffic noise significantly
• Wind noise: New algorithms minimize wind interference during outdoor use

Adaptive Transparency Mode

The enhanced Adaptive Transparency mode now reduces loud environmental sounds (like construction, sirens, or power tools) while still allowing you to hear important sounds like conversations and traffic. It's perfect for walking in the city or working in noisy environments.

Conversation Awareness

A new feature that automatically lowers media volume and enhances voices in front of you when you start speaking. Once the conversation ends, your music seamlessly returns to normal volume.

Health and Hearing Features

Apple has transformed the AirPods Pro 3 into a comprehensive hearing health device:

Hearing Health Monitoring

The earbuds continuously monitor your exposure to loud sounds and alert you when you're at risk of hearing damage. The Health app provides detailed insights into your daily, weekly, and monthly sound exposure.

Clinical-Grade Hearing Test

A built-in hearing test, validated by audiologists, can detect early signs of hearing loss. The test takes about 5 minutes and provides results comparable to professional audiometry tests.

Hearing Aid Mode

For users with mild to moderate hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 3 can function as FDA-cleared hearing aids. This feature amplifies environmental sounds and conversations based on your hearing profile, making them accessible medical devices.

Ear Temperature Sensor

A new infrared sensor measures ear canal temperature, which is more accurate than wrist-based measurements. This data integrates with the Health app for comprehensive wellness tracking.

Smart Features and Integration

Adaptive Audio

This intelligent feature dynamically blends ANC and Transparency mode based on your environment. It learns your preferences and automatically adjusts throughout the day.

Automatic Switching

Seamlessly switch between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The AirPods Pro 3 intelligently detect which device you're using and connect automatically.

Personalized Volume

Machine learning adjusts volume levels based on your environment and listening preferences over time, ensuring consistent audio experience.

Siri Integration

Hands-free "Hey Siri" or "Siri" voice activation for music control, calls, directions, and more. Siri can now announce notifications and read messages with improved natural voice quality.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is excellent:

• 7 hours of listening time with ANC enabled (up from 6 hours on Pro 2)
• 8 hours with ANC off
• 30 hours total with charging case
• 5 minutes of charging = 1 hour of playback
• 1 hour of charging = 6 hours of playback

Charging options include:

• USB-C: Fast wired charging
• MagSafe: Convenient magnetic wireless charging
• Qi wireless: Standard wireless charging pads
• Apple Watch charger: Use your existing Apple Watch charger

Call Quality and Microphones

The 6-microphone array (3 per earbud) with advanced beamforming delivers exceptional call quality. AI-powered noise reduction isolates your voice even in extremely noisy environments like busy streets or windy conditions.

Voice quality is crystal clear, and callers consistently report that you sound like you're speaking directly into a phone, even when you're not.

AirPods Pro Comparison

Feature	AirPods Pro 3	AirPods Pro 2	AirPods Pro (1st Gen)
Chip	H3	H2	H1
ANC Quality	2x better than Pro 2	2x better than Pro 1	Baseline
Lossless Audio	✅ USB-C	❌	❌
Battery (ANC On)	7 hours	6 hours	4.5 hours
Hearing Health	✅ Full suite	❌	❌
Charging Port	USB-C	USB-C	Lightning
Adaptive Audio	✅ Advanced	✅ Basic	❌
Conversation Awareness	✅	❌	❌
Temperature Sensor	✅	❌	❌
Price	$249	$249	$249

Competition Comparison

Feature	AirPods Pro 3	Sony WF-1000XM5	Bose QC Ultra
ANC Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sound Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Battery Life	7h / 30h	8h / 24h	6h / 24h
Apple Ecosystem	✅ Seamless	Limited	Limited
Health Features	✅ Extensive	❌	❌
Spatial Audio	✅ Advanced	✅ 360 Reality	✅ Immersive
Price	$249	$299	$299

Who Should Buy the AirPods Pro 3?

The AirPods Pro 3 are perfect for:

• Apple ecosystem users with iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch
• Commuters and travelers who need exceptional noise cancellation
• Audiophiles who want lossless audio quality in wireless earbuds
• Health-conscious users interested in hearing health monitoring
• Users with hearing loss who can benefit from the hearing aid mode
• Anyone upgrading from AirPods Pro 1st Gen or older

If you have AirPods Pro 2, the upgrade is worthwhile if you want lossless audio, better ANC, health features, or longer battery life. Otherwise, the Pro 2 remain excellent earbuds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Android phones?

Yes, but with limited functionality. You'll get basic audio playback and ANC, but features like Spatial Audio, Adaptive Audio, automatic switching, and hearing health require an iPhone or iPad.

Can I use AirPods Pro 3 for sports and workouts?

Yes! The IP54 rating makes them sweat and water-resistant. They stay secure during runs and workouts, though some users may prefer ear hooks for intense activities.

How does the hearing aid mode work?

After taking the built-in hearing test, the AirPods Pro 3 can amplify sounds based on your hearing profile. This FDA-cleared feature helps users with mild to moderate hearing loss hear conversations and environmental sounds more clearly.

Are the AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade from Pro 2?

If you want lossless audio, significantly better ANC, hearing health features, or longer battery life, yes. If you're happy with your Pro 2, they're still excellent and you can wait for the next generation.

Can I use just one AirPod at a time?

Yes, you can use either the left or right AirPod independently. This is great for calls or when you need to stay aware of your surroundings.

Do AirPods Pro 3 support multipoint connectivity?

Not traditional multipoint, but they offer automatic switching between Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, which works seamlessly and is often better than standard multipoint.

Final Verdict

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's best earbuds yet and among the finest wireless earbuds available today. The combination of exceptional sound quality, industry-leading ANC, lossless audio support, and groundbreaking health features creates a product that transcends traditional earbuds.

The addition of hearing health monitoring and FDA-cleared hearing aid functionality is revolutionary, potentially helping millions of people with undiagnosed hearing loss. Combined with the ear temperature sensor, these earbuds become genuine health devices.

For Apple ecosystem users, the seamless integration, automatic switching, and spatial audio make these earbuds indispensable. The sound quality rivals much more expensive audiophile earbuds, especially with lossless audio via USB-C.

At $249, they're not cheap, but they offer exceptional value considering the technology, build quality, and features packed into such a compact package. Whether you're commuting, working out, taking calls, or just enjoying music, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver an unmatched experience.

These aren't just earbuds—they're a comprehensive audio and health platform that sets a new standard for what wireless earbuds can achieve.