Apple AirPods Pro 3: New features, design, and ear tips

The new Apple AirPods Pro 3 are a big upgrade over their predecessors AirPods Pro 2. Below, we’ve compiled eight new features and take a look at the design and new ear tips ahead of the launch on Friday, September 19th.

Apple AirPods Pro 3: Eight New Features

• 2x More Active Noise Cancellation: According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 2x more active noise cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2 and up to 4x more than the original AirPods Pro. In fact, Apple has built the best active noise cancellation of any wireless in-ear earbud.
• Enhanced Sound Quality: The earbuds feature a new acoustic architecture with next-generation Adaptive EQ, which, according to Apple, “transforms bass response, expands the soundstage so users hear every instrument, and delivers vibrant vocal clarity in higher frequencies for music, shows, and calls.”
• Longer Battery Life Per Charge: According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening time per charge with active noise cancellation enabled. The AirPods Pro 2 offer just 6 hours. The charging case, on the other hand, offers up to 24 hours of total listening time with active noise cancellation enabled, while the AirPods Pro 2 case offers up to 30 hours of total listening time with active noise cancellation enabled.
• Heart rate measurement during exercise: Like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 also feature a heart rate sensor that emits pulsating infrared light to measure light absorption in blood flow. You can track your heart rate and calorie consumption, close the Move ring, and collect achievements for 50 different workouts in the Fitness app on your iPhone – all without an Apple Watch.
• Improved Fit: According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 are the “most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever.” The earbuds are slightly smaller, and the outer design of each ear tip has been “aligned toward the center of the body for greater stability.”
• Improved Water Resistance: The AirPods Pro 3 are IP57 sweat and water resistant, compared to IP54 for the AirPods Pro 2. By definition, the IP57 rating means the new AirPods can withstand temporary submersion in up to one meter of water, but Apple’s marketing only promises that they can “survive the sweatiest workouts and even a sudden downpour.”
• U2 Chip: No, the AirPods Pro 3 don’t come with a free U2 album, but the charging case is equipped with Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, presumably for greater range for location tracking in the “where app.
• XXS Ear Tip Option: AirPods Pro 3 come with new XXS silicone ear tips, in addition to the same XS, S, M, and L sizes included with AirPods Pro 2. According to Apple, the tips now feature foam for better passive noise isolation.

New Design

Apple has optimized the design of the AirPods Pro 3, changing the fit of the ear tips and updating the case. Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 are very similar to the AirPods Pro 2, but there are a few differences worth noting.

Using over 10,000 ear scans and over 100,000 hours of research, Apple has redesigned the internal architecture to make each AirPod slightly smaller. The outer geometry of the ear tips has been aligned with the center of the body for improved stability. Essentially, the ear tips are now turned inward. The shape is intended to fit better in the ear canal, improve sound isolation, and ensure the AirPods Pro stay in place during exercise.

There are some changes to the actual size. The AirPods Pro 3 are the same height as the AirPods Pro 2, so the stem isn’t shorter. The width is now 19.2 mm (previously 21.8 mm), making them slightly slimmer. They’re also deeper: 27 mm (previously 24 mm). The weight has also increased: The AirPods Pro 3 weigh 5.55 grams, while the AirPods Pro 2 weigh 5.3 grams.

Charging case

There were rumors that Apple would make the charging case slimmer, just like the case for the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC last year. That didn’t happen. The new charging case is indeed larger than before, but slightly lighter. In the image below, you can see the AirPods Pro 2 on the left and the AirPods Pro 3 on the right. The new model features a lanyard attachment point, a capacitive pairing button, and an invisible LED that only lights up when the case is opened or charged.

The battery life of the earbuds themselves has increased, but the charging case doesn’t last as long. Apple claims it offers up to 24 hours of charging time, but the AirPods Pro 2 case offers up to 30 hours of listening time.

New foam-filled ear tips in five sizes

In addition to an updated design, the AirPods Pro 3 also feature new ear tips designed to better block out ambient noise. Apple has included new eartips that combine a thin layer of soft foam microspheres with a silicone sleeve to provide enhanced passive noise isolation in addition to active noise cancellation.

The eartips are available in five sizes, including XXS, XS, S, M, and L. The smaller size XXS was not available in the predecessor. The new foam ear tips, wider range of size options, improved software, and design changes that make the earbuds fit more ergonomically in the ear contribute to the active noise cancellation being twice as effective compared to the AirPods Pro 2.

No more charging cable in the box

While the AirPods Pro 2 included a USB-C charging cable in the box, the same cannot be said for their successors. According to Apple’s website, the new Apple headphones come without a cable. Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 specifications page confirms that the USB-C charging cable is sold separately. In the US, the cheapest Apple USB-C cable costs $19, while in Germany, it starts at €25. Of course, you can use pretty much any USB-C charging cable from any brand.

Additionally, the case can also be charged wirelessly with MagSafe, Qi, and Apple Watch chargers, so a charging cable isn’t required. A charger isn’t included, of course, but that’s been the case since the original AirPods Pro launched in 2019. Since the price of the new AirPods hasn’t increased, Apple is likely to generate additional revenue by selling additional USB-C charging cables.

The AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order now and will launch on Friday, September 19th. Read our coverage of Apple’s announcement to learn more about new features, including improved sound quality, improved active noise cancellation, longer battery life, a better fit, in-ear heart rate monitoring during exercise, and much more.