- Improved audio quality with wider soundstage and better vocals
- 2x the active noise cancelling performance of AirPods Pro 2
- New foam infused eartips for better fit
- Live translation powered by Apple Intelligence
- IP57 rating, first for AirPods
- Longer battery life of 8 hours with ANC (up from 6 hours)
- Same $249 / AU$429 starting price
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So it's finally happened — we've got some new AirPods. The AirPods Pro 3 have just launched, and there's a whole host of new features that might make them the best earbuds that Apple has made yet.
There are some big headline features that we've been excited about for some time — Live Translation, heart rate monitor — along with some key improvements that could make them worth upgrading to if you still wield the AirPods Pro 2.
From better ANC and sound to some great fitness features, here's everything new with the AirPods Pro 2.
All the headline features
The AirPods Pro 3 are launching with some big improvements to ANC. Apple has said that it's 2x as good as that found in the AirPods Pro 2, and 4x as good as the AirPods Pro. Users of the first model are, according to Apple, going to find "a night and day difference" — strong words from the big A. Want some even stronger ones? "The best ANC earbuds you can buy." Let's hope there's the ANC to back it up — competition is strong.
Sound has recieved a look as well. Apple says that "the new architecture transforms the bass response," something AirPods have traditionally been a little light on. It goes on to say that the soundstage has been widened, and instrument separation has been improved. This also carries into calls, making voices clearer and transparency more natural so that you can hear your own voice better.
Great for fitness
There's been a lot of focus on fitness features this time around. There's a "photoplethysmography (PPG)" sensor inside that can measure different health metrics, to help you keep track of your exercise and workouts. You won't need to wear your Apple Watch when you go out and about anymore, it looks like.
Workout buddy, "a first-of-its-kind fitness experience powered by Apple Intelligence," will connect with the AirPods Pro 3, so that you can get "personalized, motivational insights during (your) session."
To keep them safe during your workouts, the buds now have IP57 water resistance. No more AirPods killed by a sweaty session, or a run in a rainstorm. Sounds like they're now even better for fitness fanatics.
The fit has been improved too, thanks to a complete internal and external redesign. Apple tells us that "the internal architecture was completely re-engineered to make each AirPod smaller," continuing that "while the external geometry of the ear tip was aligned to the center of the body for increased stability." The eartips are now foam-infused as well, to make them more comfortable and secure.
Live translation
There's also a new live translation feature. This can listen to the people you're speaking to, and then translate their language into one that you can understand. Using the power of Apple Intelligence, the AirPods will make conversing with people a whole lot easier — no more fiddling around with clumsy translation devices.
If the other person doesn't have a pair of AirPods, the words you say are translated on your phone screen. They respond, and the AirPods translate their words for you. If they've got a pair of AirPods Pro 3, then you can have a full conversation with them; the AirPods translate everything you both say.
A game changer if you're going on holiday somewhere you don't speak the language.
Better battery
Finally, the battery life of the AirPods has seen a massive improvement. The new AirPods Pro 3 will last for 8 hours on a charge with ANC turned on, 2 more hours than the AirPods Pro 2. Turn them over to transparency, and you'll get 10 hours — 4 more than the old model. That's big news for people who use them as hearing aids with the hearing health feature.
The best news? They're launching at the same price as the AirPods Pro 2 — $249. You can preorder them on the Apple Store right now, and they'll be shipping out on September 19.
All the debunked rumors
Usually, we've got loads of rumors around the latest AirPods that get completely debunked as the new version launches — not so this time around.
We got most of the things we were expecting, along with something we thought might come next year. We got more than a heart rate monitor with the PPG sensor, something that we thought we were going to see in 2026. We got more battery life, and improved ANC and sound. Even the design has been improved.
Even Live translation has come around for us — this is a big AirPods update indeed.
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