Apple
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple's in-ear earbuds at $249, adding heart-rate sensing and an IP57 rating.
- Chip
- Apple H2 headphone chip, Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in MagSafe Charging Case
- Battery
- Up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled) 17, Up to 6.5 hours of listening time on a single charge with heart rate sensing during workouts 18, Up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature 19, Up to 24 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled 21, 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time 22
- Sensors
- Dual beamforming microphones, Inward-facing microphone, Skin-detect sensor, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer, Heart rate sensor for workouts 10
- Sensors
- Optical heart rate in the stem
The decision
Where it wins
- Offers up to 24 hours of listening time with the charging case.
- Includes advanced audio technologies like personalized spatial audio and adaptive EQ.
- Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57).
Where it doesn't
- High price point of $249.
- Requires an Apple device with the latest iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS.
- Limited appeal to users outside of the Apple ecosystem.
Key Features
- ✦Custom high-excursion Apple driver and high dynamic range amplifier.
- ✦Up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation.
- ✦Up to 24 hours of total listening time with the charging case.
- ✦Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57).
- ✦Personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
- ✦Hearing Aid compatibility and Live Listen audio.
Specifications
Structured product data, grouped by system.
Core hardware01
| Chip | Apple H2 headphone chip, Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in MagSafe Charging Case |
|---|
AI & acceleration01
| Accessibility / Features Include / Automatic Conversation Boost When Using Hearing Aid Feature | Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature |
|---|
Power & thermal04
| Battery | Up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled) 17, Up to 6.5 hours of listening time on a single charge with heart rate sensing during workouts 18, Up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature 19, Up to 24 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled 21, 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time 22 |
|---|---|
| Battery Anc On | 8 hours |
| Battery With Case | 24 hours |
| Battery Transparency | 10 hours |
Physical & connectivity13
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology |
|---|---|
| Size And Weight (Each) | Height: 1.22 inches (30.9 mm), Width: 0.76 inch (19.2 mm), Depth: 1.06 inches (27.0 mm), Weight: 0.20 ounce (5.55 grams) |
| In The Box / USB-C Charge Cable | USB-C Charge Cable sold separately |
| Size And Weight (Charging Case) | Height: 1.86 inches (47.2 mm), Width: 2.45 inches (62.2 mm), Depth: 0.86 inch (21.8 mm), Weight: 1.55 ounces (43.99 grams) |
| Size And Weight / Charging Case | Works with MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers, or USB-C connector |
| Size And Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Depth | 1.06 inches (27.0 mm) |
| Size And Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Width | 0.76 inch (19.2 mm) |
| Size And Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Height | 1.22 inches (30.9 mm) |
| Size And Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Weight | 0.20 ounce (5.55 grams) |
| Size And Weight / MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) With Speaker And Lanyard Loop / Depth | 0.86 inch (21.8 mm) |
| Size And Weight / MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) With Speaker And Lanyard Loop / Width | 2.45 inches (62.2 mm) |
| Size And Weight / MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) With Speaker And Lanyard Loop / Height | 1.86 inches (47.2 mm) |
| Size And Weight / MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) With Speaker And Lanyard Loop / Weight | 1.55 ounces (43.99 grams) |
Other specifications16
| Sensors | Dual beamforming microphones, Inward-facing microphone, Skin-detect sensor, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer, Heart rate sensor for workouts 10 |
|---|---|
| Sensors | Optical heart rate in the stem |
| Controls | Press once to play or pause media, Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute 11, Press once for camera remote 12, Press twice to end a call, Press twice to skip forward, Press three times to skip back, Press and hold to switch between listening modes, Swipe up or down to adjust volume, Say just “Siri” 13 or “Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions, Siri interactions 4 |
| In The Box | AirPods Pro 3, MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker and lanyard loop, Silicone ear tips (five sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L), Documentation |
| Accessibility | Hearing Test 6, Hearing Aid 6, Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature 7, Hearing Protection 8, Live Listen audio 23 |
| Case Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless, MagSafe, Apple Watch charger |
| Hearing Health | Hearing Test 6, Hearing Aid 6, Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature 7, Hearing Protection 8, Live Translation for communicating across languages 9 |
| Water Resistance | IP57 |
| System Requirements | iPhone models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS |
| In The Box / AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 3 |
| In The Box / Documentation | Documentation |
| Dust, Sweat, And Water Resistant | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57): AirPods Pro and charging case |
| Accessibility / Features Include / Hearing Aid | Hearing Aid |
| Accessibility / Features Include / Hearing Test | Hearing Test |
| Accessibility / Features Include / Live Listen Audio | Live Listen audio |
| Accessibility / Features Include / Hearing Protection | Hearing Protection |
Read the record
- Last source read
- Source on record
- apple.com
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is a high-end wireless earbud designed for audiophiles and tech enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality, comfort, and advanced features. It offers a robust set of audio technologies, including active noise cancellation, adaptive audio, and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. The earbuds are dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57), making them suitable for various environments. The battery life is impressive, with up to 24 hours of listening time when paired with the charging case. However, the device's reliance on Apple's ecosystem and the relatively high price point may limit its appeal to users outside of the Apple environment. The AirPods Pro 3 is ideal for individuals who value seamless integration with Apple devices and advanced hearing health features.
The Pro 3 is the first generation where the sensor package, not the audio, is the upgrade. An optical heart-rate reader in the stem means the earbuds you already wear for a workout replace the chest strap you kept forgetting, and the IP57 rating takes sweat and rain off the table entirely.
What the specs translate to
Cancellation is meaningfully improved — Apple claims roughly twice the Pro 2 — and the cross-device handoff across iPhone, iPad and Mac still has no real equivalent. The case charges over USB-C, Qi, MagSafe or an Apple Watch charger.
Read the battery figure carefully
It is widely misreported. Eight hours with cancellation on, ten in Transparency mode, 24 total with the case. That is solid, not class-leading — several rivals do better on the buds alone.
The trade-offs
- Outside Apple's ecosystem these are ordinary earbuds — no spatial audio, no seamless switching, most controls gone.
- Easy to lose, and a single replacement bud is expensive.
Who should buy
iPhone users who also work on a Mac or iPad, commuters and travellers often away from a charger, and anyone who wants cancellation and now heart-rate without over-ear bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Apple AirPods Pro 3 for?↓
What are the drawbacks of Apple AirPods Pro 3?↓
What does Apple AirPods Pro 3 do well?↓
How much does Apple AirPods Pro 3 cost?↓
What is the Fathom Layer design score for Apple AirPods Pro 3?↓
Alternatives to consider
See all alternatives →- Another option Sony WF-1000XM6
Bone-conduction voice sensing gives unusually clean call audio in noise
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.3/10 - Another option Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best sustained comfort in the category
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.0/10 - Another option Sony WH-1000XM6
Soundstage and low end no in-ear can match
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.5/10
Where to buy
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Further reading
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