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Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are officially here, and they debut with upgrades like subtle design changes, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life. The most significant upgrade in the AirPods Pro 3, however, is their heart rate sensor, which has been welcomed by people who like to wear AirPods while they exercise.
If you have AirPods Pro 2, they’re two to three years old, depending on their charging connector. If your AirPods Pro 2 are still in mint condition, are the Pro 3 really worth another $250 purchase?
Also: Apple iPhone 17 event review: Reaction to iPhone Air, Apple Watches, AirPods Pro 3, more
Both premium Apple headphones support live translation, hearing protection features, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, spatial audio, and are powered by the company’s H2 audio chip. The differences between the two headphones are mostly down to minor hardware improvements. Despite being small, they make a real difference to your user experience. Here’s what you need to know.
Specification
| AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 | |
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Battery life | 8 hours (up to 24 hours with charging case) | 6 hours (up to 30 hours with charging case) |
| Audio modes | ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Mode | ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Mode |
| IP rating | IP57 | IP54 (USB-C version) |
| Hearing aid mode | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | No |
| Live translation | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Price | $249 | $249 |
You should buy AirPods Pro 3 if…
1. You want all the health features
Apple has equipped the AirPods Pro 3 with a suite of hearing health features, including a hearing aid mode that turns your AirPods into an over-the-counter hearing aid. These AirPods also support hearing protection features, hearing test compatibility, and automatic conversational amplification when the earbuds are in hearing aid mode. The AirPods Pro 2 are compatible with the same hearing health features.
Also: Upgrading headphones? 5 things I recommend doing with your current pair first
In addition to hearing health, the AirPods Pro 3 have a heart rate sensor that allows both earbuds to track your heart rate, calories burned, and time spent exercising when the earbuds are engaged in an active workout using the iPhone’s Fitness app.
2. You want more water resistance
The AirPods Pro 3 sport an IP57 dust and water resistance rating, compared to the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) IP54 and AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) IPX4. If you’re still rocking the Pro 2 (Lightning), this durability upgrade is a big deal. The Pro 3 earbuds are better protected from performance issues due to dust in your pocket or bag compared to the Pro 2 (Lightning).
Also: You should clean your AirPods ASAP, especially before you consider upgrading this week
If you have the Pro 2 (USB-C), the Pro 3 earbuds are better protected from water, which is the culprit behind the performance issues. The Pro 3’s water resistance upgrade from 4 to 7 means the earbuds and charging case can survive being submerged in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
While I don’t recommend submerging your AirPods and their charging case in water, the improved durability of the charging case is impressive considering that premium headphone charging cases from Google, Samsung, Bose, and Sony aren’t officially rated for water protection.
3. You want improved performance all around
Although Apple gave the AirPods Pro 3’s heart rate tracking feature most of the airtime during the hardware event’s keynote, the Pro 3 earbuds received a facelift, but not all the details were as worthy.
Also: Online translation isn’t just for AirPods Pro 3 – check if yours is compatible
The Pro 3 headphones feature a refined earcup shape, two more hours of continuous playtime, upgraded 10.7mm drivers and a new acoustic architecture, deeper bass response, new earcups, and improved noise cancellation and transparency mode.
The Pro 3 also has Apple’s updated U2 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip. If you have an iPhone 15 or later, your iPhone also has a U2 chip. When the U2 UWB chips on both devices communicate, you can use your iPhone to find your AirPods with greater accuracy over longer distances.
You should buy AirPods Pro 2 if…
1. You want a cheaper option
In this case, cheaper doesn’t mean less, as the AirPods Pro 2 are still a solid pair of premium AirPods. They work seamlessly with your Apple devices and share the same software features, with the exception of in-ear heart monitoring.
Also: I’ve been using my AirPods Pro 2 since 2022 — here’s why they’re still legal in 2025
During sales seasons, you can get AirPods Pro 2 for just $179, and I expect their prices to drop now that the new model is available. The only caveat is that you can no longer buy them directly from Apple; you’ll have to get them from retailers like Best Buy or Amazon.
2. You don’t need extras
The AirPods Pro 2 are perfectly capable headphones. In fact, for most people, they might be more than enough, especially if you only need your headphones for listening to music, talking on the phone hands-free, and their noise cancellation.
Also: Should you buy AirPods Max in 2025? The long-awaited upgrade will tempt professionals
The AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 2 share Apple’s H2 headphone chip, and on paper, the Pro 2 isn’t too far behind the newcomers. The Pro 2 earbuds still deliver great sound, adequate noise cancellation, and a ton of software features.
