Apple’s AirPods Pro line has been a staple for premium earbuds lovers, blending sleek design with powerful features. The new AirPods Pro 3, released in 2025, bring notable enhancements but also reveal some shortcomings, making them both exciting and, in some ways, intimidating for potential buyers.
Although the AirPods Pro 3 continue Apple’s tradition of solid audio performance and seamless ecosystem integration, they also spotlight ongoing challenges such as fit issues and the absence of user-customizable sound settings. Here’s a comprehensive look at what’s new, what works well, and where Apple has room to improve.
Design and Fit Improvements
The AirPods Pro 3 have been redesigned with user comfort in mind. Apple introduced a new ear tip design that adds an extra extra-small size option, and the tips now feature a foam-infused microsphere layer aimed at enhancing noise cancellation and secure fit. The earbuds themselves have a slightly altered shape intended to stay more securely in the ear, mimicking successful designs from competitors.
Users report mixed experiences: many find the tips more comfortable and stable, especially during moderate activity, while some still face challenges keeping them in place during vigorous motion. This suggests that while the redesign is a step forward, the fit puzzle is not entirely solved for everyone.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
Sound quality has been upgraded with a wider soundstage and richer bass response. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver crisp, detailed audio with dynamic range, although some listeners note the treble can be somewhat sharp or bright, leading to occasional sibilance on certain sounds like cymbals and vocals.
Apple’s active noise cancellation (ANC) is a major highlight, described by many as “gobsmacking” and comparable to over-ear headphones. The earbuds effectively block out loud environments, from subway noise to helicopter flyovers, cementing their place among the best ANC earbuds on the market.
The transparency mode also performs well, balancing external sound feedthrough without overly distorting the audio quality, useful for conversations and situational awareness.
Battery Life and New Features
Battery life on the AirPods Pro 3 offers up to 6 hours of listening with ANC enabled—slightly less than its predecessor, the AirPods Pro 2. However, this is balanced by a new charging case, which supports USB-C and features precision tracking with Ultra Wideband technology, improving Find My capabilities. The case’s battery life is estimated at 24 hours total, a mild reduction from the 30 hours of the Pro 2 case.
Noteworthy new inclusions are a heart rate sensor embedded in the earbuds, enabling workout tracking without an Apple Watch, and a live translation feature that provides real-time conversational language support. Though innovative, the live translation is still in beta and may require the latest iOS updates, which can be inconvenient for some users.
Comparisons and Considerations
When compared to the AirPods Pro 2, the Pro 3 excels mainly in ANC and added features like heart rate monitoring and translation. Sound improvements lean toward a brighter profile, which may not appeal to all, especially audiophiles who desire customizable EQ settings—something Apple still does not offer.
Against competitors like Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 stand out with superior noise cancellation, unique fitness and translation features, and tighter ecosystem integration, although some users might favor the sound tuning or battery longevity of rival models.
Conclusion
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 represent a compelling yet complex upgrade. They refine many of the strengths from previous generations with groundbreaking ANC, useful health and translation tools, and better fit options. Yet, challenges such as persistent fit variability, a slightly brighter auditory signature, lack of EQ customization, and shortened battery life for the case temper the enthusiasm.
For Apple enthusiasts deeply embedded in the ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 will likely satisfy and impress. However, prospective buyers should test the fit personally and consider sound preferences since these earbuds may not be the perfect solution for everyone. Apple’s excellent return policy offers some peace of mind for those uncertain. As it stands, the AirPods Pro 3 are innovative and impressive, but with room to grow in future iterations.
