AirPods Pro 3 Review – One Month Later

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If you're expecting big changes from the AirPods Pro 3, then you'll be disappointed. But that doesn't change the fact they remain an excellent all-round pair of earbuds, especially in the noise cancelling department.

The Good

1. Excellent noise cancelling
2. Industry leading transparency mode
3. Improved audio quality over AirPods Pro 2

The Not So Good

1. Not massively better than AirPods Pro 2
2. Expensive

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Need-to-knows

• Unbeatable noise cancelling
• Updated sound quality is a noticeable but minor improvement on AirPods Pro 2
• Comfortable and more secure fit than before

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I’m a bit late to the post with this AirPods Pro 3 review, aren’t I?

That’s intentional. I’m taking longer to review products these days, because I know it’s what my audience wants (I asked them). First impressions are all well and good, but I can’t give you an honest appraisal of something I’ve just unearthed from its packaging – I need to spend time with it.

That’s what I’ve been doing with AirPods Pro 3, which Apple launched alongside the latest iPhone lineup last month. I received my pair (bought and paid for by my business, incidentally) on 22nd September, and they have followed me everywhere since then.

Today, I’m going to use the time I’ve spent with the AirPods Pro 3 to answer the biggest questions:

• Are they better than AirPods Pro 2?
• Should you upgrade to them from AirPods Pro 2?
• Should you upgrade to them from the first-generation AirPods Pro?
• Has Apple unintentionally made anything worse?

Let’s get into it.

How I reviewed AirPods Pro 3

I like it when products are easy to review, and that’s definitely the case with AirPods Pro 3. AirPods Pro have long been my default earbuds because I’m so ensconced in the Apple ecosystem, so when a new pair arrives, it’s a case of simply swapping, like-for-like.

Related: AirPods 4 review

Since obtaining AirPods Pro 3, I’ve used them for listening to music, focusing on work, watching content on my iPhone and iPad, and for taking telephone calls.

I’ve also used them while working out both in the gym and while running outside.

They have, to put no finer point on it, been given the full Mark Ellis earbud usage treatment.

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 – key differences

There are some fascinating similarities and differences between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2.

For instance, they both share the same H2 chip, which means they have most of the same smarts including conversation awareness, adaptive EQ, and personalised Spatial Audio.

They also have hearing test, hearing aid, and live translation functionality. I’ve tested the latter briefly and it’s impressive, although it’s important to note that the iPhone does most of the heavy lifting; AirPods Pro simply act as the microphone and speaker.

Previous generation: AirPods Pro 2 review

The case is also practically the same, save for being a touch larger (to account for the marginally larger buds) and a newer version of the ultra Wideband chip.

The differences begin with the active noise cancelling capabilities, which are now 4x better on AirPods Pro 3 compared to the first generation, versus 2x on AirPods Pro 2. AirPods Pro 3 also have heart rate sensors which can be used in conjunction with your iPhone to track workouts if you don’t have an Apple Watch. I haven’t tested this yet.

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3

The battery differences are slightly odd. You get two additional hours of listening time with AirPods Pro 3 over the previous generation (eight versus six), but the charging case only provides a total of 24 hours, versus the 30 hours provided by AirPods Pro 2. That’s somewhat weird when you bear in mind the new case is actually bigger.

Water and sweat resistance has been upped to IP57 from IP54. The ear tips are different, too, with AirPods Pro 3 opting for a combination of silicone and foam. And that’s pretty much where the differences end.

Price-wise, AirPods Pro 3 are £219 in the UK (£10 cheaper than the previous generation were at launch), and $249 in the US.

Fit and comfort

Apple has made lots of noise about how much time and research has been invested into the AirPods Pro 3 fit and comfort. My concern was that they’d break what has always been a perfect fit for me (I’ve got one weird ear that won’t accept the regular AirPods, but has always been fine with AirPods Pro).

Good news, for me, at least – AirPods Pro 3 are still a perfect fit, but they feel even more comfortable. I think this is down to the new ear tip material (if you’re wondering, the new ear tips are not compatible with AirPods Pro 2) and the slight increase in bud size. They feel more snug and are extremely secure, even during vigorous workouts.

The only thing I have noticed is the occasional clicking noise when running. This plagues the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds to a point where they’re practically unwearable for me during runs. On AirPods Pro 3, it’s far less of an issue, but it does rear its head occasionally – something AirPods Pro 2 never did.

Check out our full AirPods buying guide!

I should also note at this juncture that AirPods Pro 3 still have the best controls in the earbud market, bar none. They’re a combination of touch sensitivity and haptics built into each stem and they completely solve the issue so many other earbuds have with accidental touches. I’m glad Apple saw it fit to leave that element unchanged.

Sound: better or worse than AirPods Pro 2?

Here’s something else Apple could have ruined while reimagining AirPods Pro – the audio performance.

There have been some concerns following Apple’s claim that the AirPods Pro 3 audio architecture “transforms the bass response,” and “widens the soundstage so users hear every instrument, and brings vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies”.

Too much of a focus on bass? Will that drown out everything else?

Good news, again. In my humble opinion, Apple has delivered pretty much exactly on the above promise. Compared to AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 sound fuller, wider, and richer. By comparison, the former sounds thin and less engaging.

It’s an evolution rather than a revolution, but I’d challenge anyone not to agree that AirPods Pro 3 simply sound ‘better’. The bass is definitely more present, but so too is the mid range, and the top end doesn’t grate as much as it can on AirPods Pro 2.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review

AirPods Pro 3 aren’t the best sounding earbuds on the market – that crown is still being passed between Bowers & Wilkins, Bose, and Cambridge Audio. But Apple’s top-end earbuds do the job perfectly well across most musical genres, and that’s what they’re all about.

Noise cancelling and calling quality

I’ll cut to the chase – the AirPods Pro 3 offer market-leading noise cancelling. They’re basically as good as most of the top-ranking over-ear ANC headphones I’ve tested. That’s one hell of an achievement.

AirPods Pro 2 were awesome when it came to ANC, too, but AirPods Pro 3 definitely make the world go a little quieter still. The difference isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s there. Once again, an evolution rather than a revolution.

Read my AirPods Max review

Transparency mode is still unmatched. If you’ve not experienced it before, it’s basically like you’re not wearing a pair of earbuds. And, again, it’s slightly better on AirPods Pro 3 compared to the previous generation, but not by mind-altering levels.

Calling quality? I’ll let you be the judge of that by watching my full YouTube video review.

Conclusion

AirPods Pro 3 are another triumph for Apple. They should be the default choice for iPhone owners with the right budget, and should definitely be chosen over AirPods Max.

If AirPods 4 with ANC fit your ears (firstly, I’m jealous), they’re still a great option and will save you a few quid. But if you want the best overall experience, nothing beats AirPods Pro 3.

Best budget headphones? CMF Headphone Pro review

Should you upgrade from AirPods Pro 2? No – not unless you have issues with your current pair. The differences are only noticeable when you A/B test the two generations, and no one does that apart from us reviewers.

Should you upgrade from the first-generation AirPods Pro? Absolutely; the difference is night and day.