Quick Answer: The AirPods Pro 3 are worth buying if you don’t already own AirPods Pro 2. They’re also worth it if you want stronger noise cancellation, a heart rate sensor, or a more secure fit.
They cost the same $249 as their predecessor. If your AirPods Pro 2 already fit well and you don’t need the new health features, the upgrade is optional rather than essential.
Real-world battery life is one area where the Pro 2 still has an edge.
AirPods Pro 3: The Basics
Apple released the AirPods Pro 3 on September 19, 2025, a year before this review.
They launched at $249 – the same price as the AirPods Pro 2.
That’s unusual. Most competing earbuds have crept up toward $299 over the same stretch. Apple held the line.
A year of real-world use, firmware updates, and reader feedback has settled most of the early “should I buy” questions. Here’s where things actually stand.
Pro Tip: Check the equalizer before you judge the sound. AirPods Pro 3 support Custom EQ, but only when paired with an iPhone on iOS 27 with the latest AirPods firmware.
Go to Settings > [Your AirPods] > Audio & Routing > Equalizer to turn it on – a lot of “the sound is disappointing” complaints trace back to this setting sitting off by default.
What’s Actually New vs. AirPods Pro 2
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $249 (now discounted, often $159–$199) |
| Noise cancellation | Up to 2x stronger | Baseline |
| Water/sweat resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| Ear tip sizes | 5 (foam-infused) | 3 |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes (in-ear PPG) | No |
| Chip | H2 (AirPods), U2 (case) | H2 (AirPods), U1 (case) |
| Listening time, ANC on | Up to 8 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Total with case, ANC on | Up to 24 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Live Translation | Yes | Yes (added via update) |
The two changes that matter most for daily use are the noise cancellation and the fit.
Apple redesigned the earbud shape with shorter stems and added two more ear tip sizes, including an XXS.
That directly addresses the biggest complaint about the Pro 2: earbuds that never quite sealed for smaller or unusually shaped ears.
The heart rate sensor is the headline new feature.
It’s a small infrared sensor in each earbud, similar to what’s in the Apple Watch.
It tracks heart rate across roughly 50 workout types when paired with the Fitness app.
It’s a nice-to-have, not a reason to upgrade on its own, unless you specifically want workout tracking without wearing a watch.
The Battery Life Trade-Off Nobody Expected
This is the part most early coverage got wrong, and it’s worth explaining clearly.
The earbuds themselves last longer per charge.
Up to 8 hours with ANC on, compared to 6 hours on the Pro 2 – independent testing has clocked the Pro 3 at over 8.5 hours in real use.
That’s a real, noticeable improvement if you wear them through a full workday.
But the charging case holds less total power.
Combined battery life (earbuds plus case) tops out at 24 hours with ANC on, down from 30 hours on the Pro 2.
Apple fit a smaller battery into the case, likely to make room for the new U2 chip and to keep the case a similar size despite the added sensors.
In practice, this means:
- You’ll go longer between charges of the earbuds themselves.
- You’ll need to charge the case more often overall.
- Frequent travelers without daily charger access may actually prefer the Pro 2’s case capacity.
Neither number is bad. But if long stretches away from a charger matter more to you than a longer single session, this is the one spec where the older model wins.
Who Should Actually Upgrade
A reader question we get often: Someone in our community who’s had AirPods Pro 2 since 2023 asked whether it was worth switching after a year of Pro 3 reviews settling.
Their AirPods Pro 2 fit fine and the battery lasted them through a full workweek of commuting.
We told them what we’ll tell you: the Pro 3 wouldn’t fix a problem they didn’t have.
The upgrade makes the most sense for people the Pro 2 never fit comfortably, or who want the heart rate feature for workouts.
For someone already happy with their fit and battery life, $249 is better spent elsewhere.
Upgrade if you:
- Never got a comfortable seal with AirPods Pro 2
- Want stronger noise cancellation for flights, commutes, or open offices
- Want heart rate tracking during workouts without an Apple Watch
- Are buying your first pair of premium earbuds and don’t own AirPods Pro 2 at all
Skip it if you:
- Your AirPods Pro 2 already fit well and you’re not missing anything
- You mostly listen in short sessions and rarely max out either battery
- You’d rather buy AirPods Pro 2 at its current discounted price and save $50–$90
Common Buying Concerns
Are AirPods Pro 3 worth it if I already own AirPods Pro 2?
Only if fit, noise cancellation, or heart rate tracking are actual pain points for you today. Otherwise, the improvements are incremental rather than essential.
Will AirPods Pro 3 work with an older iPhone?
Yes, they pair with any iPhone that supports the AirPods app, but features like Custom EQ and the newest health tools need iOS 27 and the latest AirPods firmware to unlock fully.
Is the shorter case battery life a dealbreaker?
For most people, no. You’ll get through a full day easily. It only becomes noticeable on multi-day trips without a charger nearby.
Do the new ear tips actually fix the fit issues people had with earlier AirPods Pro?
For most users, yes – five sizes instead of three closes a real gap. A small number of reviewers found the new tips protrude slightly more from the ear, so it’s still worth trying a couple of sizes rather than assuming the default fits.
Should I wait for the next AirPods Pro instead?
There’s no confirmed timeline for a successor. Rumors point to camera-equipped AirPods sometime in 2026 or 2027, but nothing is locked in. If you need earbuds now, waiting isn’t a strong reason to hold off.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods Pro 3 cost $249, the same as the Pro 2’s original launch price.
- Noise cancellation, fit, and IP57 water resistance are the clearest upgrades.
- Per-charge battery life improved to 8 hours; total case battery dropped to 24 hours.
- The heart rate sensor is a genuine new feature, not a marketing footnote – but it’s workout-focused, not essential for casual listeners.
- If your current AirPods Pro 2 fit well, this isn’t an urgent upgrade.
FAQ
What’s the current price of AirPods Pro 3?
$249 at Apple, though third-party retailers have discounted them to around $219.
Do AirPods Pro 3 have a heart rate sensor?
Yes, an infrared PPG sensor is built into each earbud and tracks heart rate across about 50 workout types.
What’s the AirPods Pro 3 water resistance rating?
IP57, up from IP54 on the AirPods Pro 2 – meaning better resistance to sweat, rain, and brief submersion.
How long do AirPods Pro 3 last on a single charge?
Up to 8 hours with Active Noise Cancellation on, or up to 10 hours in Transparency mode.
Can I use Custom EQ on AirPods Pro 3?
Yes, but you’ll need an iPhone on iOS 27 and the latest AirPods firmware for the feature to appear in Settings.
Sources
Disclaimer
Battery life figures reflect Apple’s official ratings and independent third-party testing available at the time of writing. Real-world results vary based on volume, active features (heart rate tracking, Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio), and unit age. Pricing reflects official and commonly seen retailer pricing at the time of publishing and may change.
T’kal is the lead strategist and developer behind Apple Headlines. With a background in digital marketing and web development, he specializes in technical Apple troubleshooting, software news, and hardware rumors. T’kal focuses on delivering high-authority tech content that bridges the gap between Apple enthusiasts and the latest industry innovations.
