It's taken me slightly longer than my colleagues to get my hands on a pair of AirPods Pro 3, but I've finally got them. I'll admit, I've been excited to try out the latest Pro earbuds from Apple, thanks to their auspicious launch during the recent Apple event.
With some trepidation, I inserted them into my ears and connected them to my brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max. The familiar pairing ritual initiated, and I was away, listening to tunes and blocking out noise with my AirPods Pro 3. So, how have I found them, and is the new ANC as good as everyone says it is? These are my initial impressions of the AirPods Pro 3.
An improved fit
The AirPods Pro 2 didn't fit badly. They had a slightly less invasive fit than the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, but that served to make them more comfortable for longer periods of time. There was one problem with their fit, though. They weren't very secure. They had a habit of coming loose while wearing them and falling out when you didn't want them to.
Not great when you're between two underground stops, and they disappear into a chair.
The fit of the AirPods Pro 3 is much better from the start. I did have to size up my tips to the 'L' size for something that felt secure enough, but they were noticeably more stable in the ear.
A note on changing the tips before we proceed any further — it's tricky. You have to unfold the tip, and then pull on it until it clicks out of place. It feels like something is going to break, and I suspect that repeated clickings and unclickings are going to cause some issues.
You have been warned.
That fit security has come at a cost, however. They're not quite as comfortable as their forbears, thanks to those slightly deeper-reaching tips. It's a trade-off that I am willing to make, but they don't quite have the 'barely there' fit of the old model. I suspect this may be one of the more controversial elements of the buds once customers start to get their hands on them.
Better ANC — game changing?
Apple had some strong words about the AirPods Pro 3's ANC. Apparently, it's "class-leading", offering 2x the ANC of the AirPods Pro 2. Now that I've got them in my ears and have been testing them over the course of my workday, the ANC is indeed much better. Class leading, though? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 2 would like a word.
We're looking at very proficient ANC, straight off the bat. There's an increase in all frequency blocking, from the lowest sounds all the way to the very highest. It is remarkable how much of an improvement there is, especially when you test them side by side with their predecessor.
When you play music, the world outside is, as you might expect, completely silenced. I've found during a quick walk around my block that the noises of surrounding traffic and passing pedestrians were completely negated, the ANC only occasionally defeated by a massive lorry or a loud, rumbling bus.
Take them on a train, and the story is similar. The wooshing of the wheels melts away, and your fellow passengers seem to disappear into their seats. To be clear, it is excellent noise canceling. Some of the best, even. But there is one better, and as close as the AirPods Pro 2 now get, they're not quite there.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 2 are slightly better in the long run. We're splitting hairs here, but there is a slight difference in blocking at the very top from the Bose buds. It's so close, though — and given the AirPods Pro 3 cost $50 less, I think they might actually be the better bet.
Better sound
The AirPods Pro 3 sound excellent. They're a vast improvement over the old model, with smoother delivery, a more controlled low-end and extra resolution across the board. They've still got Apple's signature neutral sound signature, which I really appreciate, but it's been elevated to a new level thanks to Apple's refreshed acoustic architecture.
I've found that drums have more impact, like in Katatonia's Wind of no Change. The kick drum is more pronounced, but quicker and more impactful. The bass is deeper as a result, matching brighter highs and more well-rounded mids. I've really enjoyed my initial audio testing of the AirPods Pro 3 — everything I've played through them has sounded great.
The biggest improvement here is the soundstage. I've been working my way through the Pirates of the Caribbean movies over the last few days, and the soundtrack has ended up in steady rotation. He's a Pirate from the first movie arrives with all of its swaggering glory — and the width of the piece is impressive. There's a great distance between every part of the music, from the strings to the wind and beyond.
The AirPods Pro 2 became my de facto movie-watching buds after a while, thanks to their top-notch Dolby Atmos for movies and TV. I don't like it for music — still don't with the AirPods Pro 3 — but big screen experiences at unsociable hours are massively enhanced. The AirPods Pro 3 are a fantastic replacement for my Pro 2, with increased space in Atmos mixes.
The sounds of movies are well placed, and soundtracks are big and filled with bombast. Dialog is clear and placed well in the mix — it might not have the same presence as a surround system or one of the best soundbars, but it's still very good.
The elephant in the room
You may notice that there are two features that I haven't mentioned yet — those that were focused on during the launch event of the earbuds. First off, the heart rate monitor that now lives in the buds. I turned it off. I exercise with a quick walk every lunch time, and ignore any and all fitness features that my headphones or phone might have. I don't need them, I don't want them and I don't use them.
That's not to say they're bad — they seem to work for many people who like to exercise. But there is something of the gimmick about the feature, something that no one really wanted or asked for. A subset of users is likely very pleased about the inclusion of the heart monitoring kit. But I am not one of them.
The Live Translation feature is not one that I've been able to test yet. I don't know anyone who speaks any of the languages featured in the buds, and I'm not planning on going on holiday any time soon.
I'm sure it works very well, and I'm sure that it's going to come in clutch should I find myself chatting to a Spaniard. But until I find myself in that situation, I'll rest easy knowing it's there.
Verdict — should you buy them?
Should you buy a pair? Yes. Yes, you should. This is the best pair of AirPods that Apple has ever released, with massive and tangible upgrades to one of the best sets of buds from the last five years. They're very comfortable, secure, and they feel just as premium as you'd expect from the AirPods line. They're in every way the AirPods I was hoping that Apple would release.
The battery life is vastly improved, and the sound is better. There's little I'd ask for from the AirPods Pro 3. Some more codecs for Android users would be nice, I suppose, and a color other than white would be nice. But overall, the AirPods Pro 3 are easily some of the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy today.
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