I'm buying a pair of AirPods Pro 3 on day one — and it's got nothing to do with the heart rate monitor or live translation

(Image credit: Apple)

My AirPods Pro 2 have been gathering dust. They've lived in a drawer for the last few months, as I've replaced them with better buds and moved away from Apple portable devices. Where they once had a permanent home in my pocket, they've been relegated to the forever darkness of my nightstand.

But, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and its orange metal frame tempt me back to iOS, the AirPods Pro 3 are doing just as much of the heavy lifting. I might have just been converted back to a portable Apple lifestyle. I want some AirPods Pro 3. Let me tell you why.

AirPods Pro 3: The upgrades that really matter

AirPods Pro 3 ear tips — (Image credit: Apple)

One of my primary complaints with the AirPods Pro 2 from the moment they launched was the way that they fit. They're comfortable, yes, but I've never been able to get them to reliably stay lodged in my ears. By the looks of things, the AirPods Pro 3 are going to completely sort that problem for me.

Apple has shrunk the buds down and added a new style of silicon tips that fit in the ear and seal better. They're infused with foam to help them fill all the gaps as well, making for potentially better passive noise canceling. That could be what makes the AirPods Pro 3 fit much better in my massive ear cavities, so I never have to worry about them falling out. Upgrade no.1, a winner.

The next problem I had with the AirPods Pro 2 was the sound, and Apple has addressed that in the new version as well. Apparently, we're looking at better bass and improved vocal clarity, along with an enhanced soundstage and more instrument separation. That sounds right up my street, improving on all the sonic complaints I had with the aging AirPods Pro 2.

AirPods Pro 3 live translation gesture — (Image credit: Apple)

So far, we're two for two with AirPods improvements. Next up, ANC — and we're sitting pretty there too. Apple says they're going to block 2x more noise than the AirPods Pro 2. Considering that model blocked out lots of noise, that could be the increase that tips the scale back Apple's direction, unseating the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 and the Sony WF-1000XM5. I'll have to get them in my hands to really test things out, but we're looking good so far.

My last complaint? Battery life. 6 hours just wasn't enough, so I'm very glad to see that Apple has made the new model last much longer. With ANC, we're reportedly going to get 8 hours, a decent increase over the previous model. If you turn transparency mode on, you'll get another 2 hours, bringing the battery up to 10 hours. There's no news on the case battery life, so I think it's going to have 24 hours like the previous models.

All for the same price as the AirPods Pro 2 ($249)? Apple, you spoil us.

I don't really care about the other features

AirPods Pro 3 with iPhone daily walk — (Image credit: Apple)

I don't "work out." I don't run. I don't go out of my way to exercise, relying on my everyday movements to keep relatively healthy. The fact that my AirPods can track my heart rate doesn't factor into my need to buy a pair. It's a "nice to have" — I'll know they can do it — and to some people it's going to be a fitness game changer. For me, it's another spec on a spec sheet that I have to write about.

Similarly, I'm not really excited by the new translation feature. I am actively learning to speak Japanese, and I want to be able to use my new skill when I visit the Land of the Rising Sun — a crutch like the AirPods might not be entirely that useful. It could make traveling much better for those who like to visit other countries, but I am a homebody. The furthest I go is a few miles up the highway to a campsite.

It's quite funny, really. The two features that Apple was likely banking on to bring users back to AirPods are arguably the two I don't really care about — it's the little ones that impress me the most. Still, I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of AirPods Pro 3,and get them tested for our full review.

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Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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