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AirPods Pro 3
Get AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone and want Apple's strongest in-ear noise cancelling, a workout heart-rate sensor and up to 8 hours per charge.
Product images
AirPods Pro 3 in the MagSafe Charging Case, paired with an iPhone.
Credit: Burkhard Mücke, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Official source
Photo by Burkhard Mücke, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. This resized copy is shared under the same license.
In short
Get AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone and want Apple's strongest in-ear noise cancelling, a workout heart-rate sensor and up to 8 hours per charge. Apple says it removes up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2, and the buds and case are now IP57. Its hearing and translation features need Apple devices; Android gets basic Bluetooth audio. If tips bother you, the $129 AirPods 5 has an open fit.
Who it is for
- iPhone owners who ride loud trains or sit in open offices. That's the job Pro 3's cancelling is built for, and Conversation Awareness turns your music down when you start talking.
- Runners and gym-goers who log workouts on an iPhone. The buds read your heart rate during a workout and pass it to the Fitness app or a compatible third-party app.
- Adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss who want one pair for music and for hearing help. Hearing Test and the FDA-authorized Hearing Aid feature are built in for people 18 and older.
- AirPods Pro 2 owners ready to upgrade. You gain the heart-rate sensor, two more hours per charge with noise cancelling (8 against 6), IP57 for buds and case, and an XXS tip.
Who should skip it
- Android users. Most of what sets Pro 3 apart, from Hearing Aid to Live Translation and Personalized Spatial Audio, depends on Apple devices.
- Anyone who can't get on with silicone tips. Pro 3 seals in the ear canal; AirPods 5, at $129, sits in the ear with no tips at all.
- Pro 2 owners who mostly want the hearing features. Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection already reached AirPods Pro 2 in a firmware update.
What sets it apart
- The strongest noise cancelling Apple has put in an earbud, by its own claim: up to 2× AirPods Pro 2 and 4× the original AirPods Pro.
- Up to 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, two more than AirPods Pro 2, and up to 10 hours in Transparency with Hearing Aid running.
- A workout heart-rate sensor, which is new hardware that AirPods Pro 2 can't get in an update. It works with Fitness and compatible third-party apps on iOS 26 or later.
- IP57 protection for the buds and the MagSafe case, and foam-infused tips in five sizes from XXS to L.
Caveats
- Heart-rate tracking costs battery. Apple rates the buds at 6.5 hours with it on, against 8 with noise cancelling alone.
- Live Translation is still a beta. It needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone on iOS 26 or later and isn't available in every language or region.
- There's no charging cable in the box. The MagSafe case charges over USB-C, but Apple sells the cable separately.
Key specs
In the same order on every earbuds page, so you can compare pairs.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Sealed in-ear with a short stem | Apple tech specs |
| Fit / tips / wings | Foam-infused silicone tips in five sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L | Apple tech specs; Apple Newsroom |
| Driver / acoustic architecture | Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; vent system for pressure equalization | Apple tech specs |
| Chip / processor | H2 in the buds; second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in the case | Apple tech specs |
| Active noise cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Audio; Apple claims up to 2× the cancellation of AirPods Pro 2 and 4× the original AirPods Pro | Apple tech specs; Apple Newsroom, 9 September 2025Apple calls it “the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones”; its footnotes cite IEC 60268-24 testing. |
| Transparency / ambient | Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Personalized Volume | Apple tech specs |
| Spatial / 360 audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ | Apple tech specsSetting up your personal profile takes an iPhone with TrueDepth, and it works with compatible content and apps. |
| Hearing features | Hearing Test; Hearing Aid (FDA-authorized); Conversation Boost turns on automatically with Hearing Aid; Hearing Protection; Loud Sound Reduction | Apple tech specsHearing Aid and Hearing Test work on AirPods Pro 2 and later with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, for adults 18 and older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and not in every region. |
| Battery — buds | Up to 8 hours with ANC; up to 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and head tracking; up to 6.5 hours with heart-rate sensing during workouts; up to 10 hours in Transparency using Hearing Aid | Apple tech specs; Apple SupportApple tested in July and August 2025 with 256 kbps AAC tracks at 50% volume on preproduction iPhone 17 Pro units. |
| Battery — with case | Up to 24 hours of listening with ANC on | Apple tech specs |
| Charging | USB-C on the MagSafe case (cable sold separately); 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening | Apple tech specs |
| Wireless charging | MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers | Apple tech specs |
| Water / dust — buds | IP57 (IEC 60529): dust, sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise | Apple tech specsApple says the resistance isn't permanent; they aren't for swimming, and shouldn't be charged wet. |
| Water / dust — case | IP57, the same rating as the buds | Apple tech specs |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple tech specs |
| Microphones / calls | Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording | Apple tech specs |
| On-bud controls | Press to play, pause or answer; press twice to skip or end a call; press three times to skip back; press and hold for listening modes; swipe for volume; camera remote; “Siri” or “Hey Siri” | Apple tech specs |
| Multipoint / device switching | Automatic switching between devices signed in to the same Apple Account; no two-device multipoint setting for other phones | Apple product page and tech specs |
| Sensors | Skin-detect sensor; motion-detecting accelerometer; speech-detecting accelerometer; heart-rate sensor for workouts | Apple tech specs |
| Weight — one bud | 5.55 g (0.20 oz) | Apple tech specs |
| Weight — case | 43.99 g (1.55 oz) | Apple tech specs |
| Dimensions — one bud | 30.9 × 19.2 × 27.0 mm (H × W × D) | Apple tech specs |
| Dimensions — case | 47.2 × 62.2 × 21.8 mm (H × W × D) | Apple tech specs |
| Finishes | White; no other color listed for Pro 3 | Apple tech specs |
| Phone / OS compatibility | Full features need the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS or visionOS; works as basic Bluetooth earbuds with older Apple software and non-Apple devices | Apple tech specs |
| Find / Fast Pair / UWB | Find My, with a speaker and lanyard loop on the case and second-generation Ultra Wideband inside it; Apple says Find My needs iOS 27 or later | Apple tech specs |
| Companion app / firmware | Settings live in iOS, with no separate app; firmware arrives through Apple software updates | Apple tech specs |
| US MSRP (launch) | $249 (US) | Apple NewsroomApple's US starting price, announced 9 September 2025. |
| Price band | Flagship ($200–$300 at US launch) | Based on Apple's $249 starting price |
| Announced | 9 September 2025 | Apple Newsroom |
| Availability | Sold by Apple as of 19 September 2026; introduced 2025 | Apple Support; Apple product page |
AirPods Pro 3 extras
Specs only this model has.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Workout heart rate | Heart-rate sensor for workouts with the iPhone Fitness app and compatible third-party apps (iOS 26 or later); listening time drops to 6.5 hours with it on | Apple tech specs; support.apple.com/123184 |
| Hearing Aid detail | FDA-authorized; AirPods Pro 2 or later on current firmware, with iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later (macOS Sequoia or later on a Mac); adults 18 and older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss; Conversation Boost turns on automatically | Apple tech specs |
| Live Translation | Beta; needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone on iOS 26 or later; also works with AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2 or later; not in every language or region | Apple tech specs |
| Conversation Awareness | Yes; lowers your media when you start speaking | Apple tech specs |
| Included tip sizes | Five (XXS, XS, S, M, L); the USB-C AirPods Pro 2 box has four | Apple tech specs |
| Model | AirPods Pro 3, year introduced 2025 | Apple Support |
| In the box | AirPods Pro 3; MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker and lanyard loop; five tip sizes; documentation; USB-C cable sold separately | Apple tech specs |
| Recycled content | Apple says 40% recycled content: 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge, 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium in the battery, and 65% recycled plastic in the case | Apple tech specs |
| Camera remote | Press once to use the camera remote on compatible devices running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later (AirPods Pro 2 and later) | Apple tech specs |
| Accessibility features | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Conversation Boost, Hearing Protection, Live Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations | Apple tech specs |
Noise cancelling is the headline
Apple says Pro 3 removes up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2 and four times as much as the original AirPods Pro, and it calls the result “the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones.” Those are ratios from Apple’s own tests, which its footnotes tie to IEC 60268-24, so there’s no decibel figure to set against other brands.
Transparency lets the room back in, Conversation Awareness ducks your music when you speak, and Adaptive Audio and Personalized Volume round out the modes. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking works with compatible content, and you need an iPhone with TrueDepth to create your profile. For calls there are dual beamforming microphones, an inward-facing microphone and Voice Isolation.
A tighter fit, with five tip sizes
Pro 3 is a sealed in-ear with a short stem. The silicone tips are now foam-infused and come in five sizes, from XXS to L; the USB-C AirPods Pro 2 box has four.
The bud is as tall as Pro 2’s at 30.9 mm, but narrower and deeper: 19.2 by 27.0 mm, against 21.8 by 24.0 mm. It weighs 5.55 grams, against 5.3. Both the buds and the MagSafe case are rated IP57 against dust, sweat and water during exercise.
Battery and charging
| Mode | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|
| Noise cancelling on | Up to 8 hours |
| Spatial Audio with head tracking | Up to 7.5 hours |
| Workout heart rate on | Up to 6.5 hours |
| Transparency with Hearing Aid | Up to 10 hours |
| With the case, noise cancelling on | Up to 24 hours |
| 5 minutes in the case | About 1 hour |
Apple rates AirPods Pro 2 at 6 hours per charge (5.5 with Spatial Audio and head tracking) and about 30 hours with its case. So Pro 3 gives you two more hours each time you put the buds in, while Pro 2’s case figure is the larger one.
The MagSafe case charges on a MagSafe charger, an Apple Watch charger or any Qi-certified pad, and it has a USB-C port for wired charging.
Hearing help and workout heart rate
Pro 3 can run Apple’s Hearing Test and work as an FDA-authorized hearing aid for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss, on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, or macOS Sequoia on a Mac. Conversation Boost switches on with Hearing Aid, and because Hearing Aid runs in Transparency, that’s the mode Apple rates at 10 hours. Hearing Protection and Loud Sound Reduction are there for loud places, alongside Live Listen and Headphone Accommodations.
The heart-rate sensor reads your pulse during workouts and sends it to the iPhone Fitness app or a compatible third-party app on iOS 26 or later. Most earbuds don’t list one, including AirPods 1 through 5 and Sony’s WF-1000XM5.
What needs an iPhone
The full feature set needs an Apple device on current software: iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS or visionOS. That covers Hearing Aid, Personalized Spatial Audio, automatic switching across your Apple Account, the camera remote (iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later) and Live Translation, which also needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone. Settings sit in iOS rather than a separate app, and firmware arrives with Apple’s software updates.
On an Android phone or another non-Apple device, Pro 3 connects as Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds with limited features. Apple doesn’t publish a codec list: its battery tests use AAC, and LDAC, LC3 and SSC aren’t mentioned.
Price
Apple announced AirPods Pro 3 at $249 in the US on 9 September 2025, in white. Engraving is free from Apple, and AppleCare, education pricing and retailer discounts all change what you pay, so check apple.com before you buy. To weigh it against a rival, see AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony XM6.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom — Introducing AirPods Pro 3 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — AirPods Pro 3 technical specifications — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — AirPods Pro 3 tech specs (125135) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — AirPods compare — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights — accessed 2026-09-19
- Wikimedia Commons — File:AirPods Pro 3 in weiß.jpg — accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently asked questions
What's new compared with AirPods Pro 2?
Stronger noise cancelling, longer battery life, a workout heart-rate sensor and IP57 for the buds and case. Apple claims up to twice Pro 2's noise cancelling and rates Pro 3 for 8 hours with it on, against 6, and the foam-infused tips add an XXS size. Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection aren't new: Pro 2 got them in a firmware update, and both models run on Apple's H2 chip.
Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Android phones?
Yes, but only as ordinary Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds. The hearing tools, Live Translation, Personalized Spatial Audio, precise Find My and automatic switching all depend on Apple devices.
Can AirPods Pro 3 replace a hearing aid?
Only for perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Apple's Hearing Aid feature is FDA-authorized for adults 18 and older with that level of loss, needs iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, and isn't offered in every region. It isn't intended for more severe loss.
Can I swim with AirPods Pro 3?
No. IP57 covers dust, sweat and water during non-water sports and exercise, and Apple says that protection isn't permanent. Dry the buds before you put them back on charge.
Do AirPods Pro 3 support multipoint?
Not as standard multipoint. They switch automatically between Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account, but Apple doesn't describe two-device multipoint for other phones or computers.
Does the AirPods Pro 3 case work with Find My?
Yes. The case has its own speaker, a lanyard loop and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for precise finding. Apple's current footnote says Find My needs iOS 27 or later.
Official product page: AirPods Pro 3. Tech specs: AirPods Pro 3 specs.