Audio review
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review
Excellent noise cancellation, a more secure fit, health features, and effortless iPhone integration make these a complete everyday package—with some important limits outside Apple's ecosystem.
Steve's verdict
An easy recommendation if you use an iPhone and want one pair of earbuds for music, travel, workouts, and calls. If your AirPods Pro 2 still work well, there is no need to rush the upgrade.
Best for
iPhone users who want premium noise control, simple setup, useful health features, and tight Apple-device integration.
Skip it if
You regularly switch between Apple, Windows, and Android, need proper manual EQ, or already have AirPods Pro 2 that still perform well.
Best with
iPhone and Apple devices
Battery
8 hours / 24 with case
Standout
ANC and transparency
What I like
- Excellent active noise cancellation and natural transparency
- Balanced sound with deep, controlled bass
- Comfortable low-profile fit with five tip sizes
- Useful heart-rate and hearing-health features
- Eight hours of listening with ANC enabled
What to know
- No proper manual EQ
- No true multipoint connection with a Windows PC
- Several headline features disappear outside Apple's ecosystem
- Case battery tops out at 24 hours and no USB-C cable is included
- The left earbud occasionally loosened during more active use
What I tested
Real-world use, not just the spec sheet
- Up to four-hour listening sessions for long-term comfort
- Active use to check whether the fit stayed secure
- ANC against television, fans, air conditioning, and traffic
- Indoor and busy-street microphone samples
- iPhone settings plus pairing outside the Apple ecosystem
Specs that matter
Battery
8 hours with ANC
Up to 24 hours total with the charging case.
Durability
IP57
Applies to both the earbuds and the charging case.
Ear tips
Five sizes
Foam-infused tips range down to extra small.
Charging
USB-C + wireless
Supports MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers.
Hardware, fit, and comfort
The glossy white case and familiar stem design still look like classic AirPods, but the earbuds sit at a slightly different angle for a deeper fit. Apple includes five tip sizes, and the foam-infused tips help create a tighter seal. The medium tips worked for me right out of the box, and I wore the earbuds for up to four hours without the pressure I often get from foam tips. The only fit issue was the left earbud occasionally working loose while I was moving around.
Controls, durability, and charging
The stem controls cover the essentials without reaching for the phone: squeeze for playback, swipe for volume, and press and hold to move between ANC, transparency, and off. Both the earbuds and case carry an IP57 rating. The case charges over USB-C, MagSafe, or an Apple Watch charger, and double-tapping the front places the earbuds into pairing mode for non-Apple devices.
Fitness and hearing health
The new heart-rate sensor works through Apple Fitness and can track workouts without an Apple Watch, but it only records your heart rate after you start a workout. Hearing features are more extensive: you can take a hearing test, use the earbuds as hearing aids where supported, reduce loud environmental sounds, and add hearing protection in noisy places.
Live translation
Live Translation requires a compatible Apple Intelligence iPhone. Languages need to be downloaded to the phone first, but translation can then work offline. There is a noticeable delay during conversation, and the feature is not exclusive to AirPods Pro 3, so it should not be the only reason to upgrade.
Sound quality
The tuning is clean and balanced across most of what I listen to. Bass reaches surprisingly deep without overpowering vocals, the midrange stays clear, and instrument separation and soundstage are strong for earbuds this small. Treble is crisp, although S sounds, cymbals, and acoustic guitars can occasionally sound a little sharp. Personalized Spatial Audio works especially well for movies and shows, but I usually leave it off for music.
Noise cancellation and transparency
Steady sounds such as fans, air conditioners, and traffic are reduced to the point where they nearly disappear once music is playing. I could sit on the couch reading while the kids watched a movie without being distracted by the TV. Transparency mode is just as convincing: voices sound natural, positional cues are clear, and my own voice does not sound muffled. Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness make the transitions feel even more automatic.
Microphone and call testing
I tested the microphones in two very different situations: a quiet indoor room and beside a busy street. The video includes both samples so you can hear how the microphones handle a clean voice signal and how aggressively they manage traffic noise before deciding whether they are good enough for your calls.
Settings and the Apple advantage
There is no separate AirPods app on iPhone. When the earbuds are connected, their settings appear near the top of the Settings app. That is where you control listening modes, hearing health, Live Translation, press-and-hold actions, camera remote controls, ear detection, Spatial Audio, head gestures, battery options, Find My, and fit settings. It is a deep feature set without another app to manage.
The cross-platform limitation
Outside Apple's ecosystem, AirPods Pro 3 become a much more basic pair of Bluetooth earbuds. There is no true multipoint connection with a Windows PC, switching devices is manual, and several Apple-specific features disappear. If you regularly move between iPhone, Windows, and Android, Sony is the more flexible choice.
Should you upgrade?
For an iPhone owner who wants one premium pair of earbuds for nearly everything, AirPods Pro 3 are easy to recommend. The combination of sound, fit, ANC, transparency, battery life, and health features is extremely complete. AirPods Pro 2 owners who are still happy with their battery and performance can comfortably wait.
Compare before you buy
AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Which Would I Buy?The Best Premium Earbuds for Your PhoneFrom the YouTube comments
“Have perfectly working Pro 1s, was hoping they'd release the Pro 4s this fall to upgrade. Wait a year or get Pro 3s?”
Steve's answer
If your AirPods Pro 1 are still working and have good battery life, I'd wait another year for the AirPods Pro 4.
Watch the full review