So, you've probably heard the chatter. Apple finally dropped the AirPods Pro 3 late last year, and honestly, the internet is still arguing about whether they're actually "new" or just a glorified software update.
It’s a fair question.
If you put them next to the Pro 2, they look... well, basically the same. But here's the thing: everyone is so focused on the stems and the white plastic that they’re missing the massive internal overhaul. This wasn't just a spec bump. Apple fundamentally changed how these things sit in your head and how they interact with your health.
If you’re sitting there with a pair of Pro 2s wondering if you should pull the trigger on the upgrade, or if you're just trying to figure out what the hell "foam-infused microspheres" actually are, I've got you.
The Design Tweak Nobody Noticed
Everyone expected Apple to go stemless. The rumors were everywhere. People wanted a "buds-only" look like the Sony WF-1000XM5.
Apple didn't do it.
Instead, they kept the stems but shrunk the main body. The AirPods Pro 3 are actually narrower but deeper than the previous version. It’s a subtle shift—30.9mm tall, same as before, but only 19.2mm wide. Why does that matter? Because the geometry of the ear tip is now aligned to the dead center of the body.
Basically, they don't "hang" out of your ear as much. They lock in.
I’ve spent weeks with these, and the stability is noticeably different. If the Pro 2s ever felt like they were slowly sliding out during a heavy set of squats or a run, these won't. They also added a new XXS ear tip size. It sounds like a small thing until you realize how many people with smaller ear canals have been struggling with "earbud fatigue" for years.
Then there’s the case. It’s a tiny bit larger, but it feels more refined. They ditched the physical pairing button for a capacitive one, which is cleaner but takes a second to get used to.
The H2 Mystery and Why It’s Not a Letdown
This is where the "leaks" got it wrong before launch. Everyone—and I mean everyone—predicted a new H3 chip.
Surprise: it didn't happen.
The AirPods Pro 3 still use the H2 chip. At first, I was skeptical. Why pay for "next-gen" when the brains are the same? But Apple’s engineers basically admitted they hadn't maxed out the H2 yet. By combining that existing processing power with new ultra-low noise microphones and "foam-infused" tips, they managed to double the noise cancellation anyway.
The ANC on these is legitimately frightening. I took a flight to Seattle recently, and the deep drone of the engine didn't just fade; it vanished.
You’ve gotta realize that "2x better ANC" isn't just a marketing slide. It’s a hardware-software combo. The new tips have a layer of microspheres that create a much tighter seal without that "plugged-up" pressurized feeling. It’s a more natural silence.
Your Ears Are the New Heart Rate Monitor
This is the big one. The AirPods Pro 3 added an infrared heart rate sensor.
It pulses 256 times per second.
Honestly, it’s arguably more accurate than a wrist-based tracker because the skin inside your ear is thinner and has more consistent blood flow. If you don't like wearing an Apple Watch but want to track your HIIT sessions, these are a game changer. They feed directly into the Health app and work with a new "Workout Buddy" AI feature that gives you real-time feedback in your ear.
And for those wondering: yes, the battery takes a hit if you leave the sensor on. You get about 6.5 hours with heart rate tracking enabled, compared to 8 hours without it.
What You Need to Know About the "Ultra" Leak
There’s a massive rumor circulating about a second version of the Pro 3 coming later this year.
Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have both hinted at high-end AirPods with infrared cameras.
Why would you want cameras in your ears? It sounds like a privacy nightmare, right? But the goal isn't photos. It’s "Visual Intelligence." The cameras would help the buds "see" your environment to improve spatial audio and enable hand gestures. Imagine waving your hand in the air to skip a track instead of pinching the stem.
It’s cool, but it’s not here yet. If you buy the current Pro 3, you're getting the heart rate tech, not the camera tech. Don't get them confused.
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Real-World Use: The Little Things
Let's talk about the stuff that doesn't make the press release.
- IP57 Resistance: They finally moved from IPX4 to IP57. You can literally drop these in a meter of water for 30 minutes. Don't go swimming with them, but if they fall in the sink while you're doing dishes, it's fine.
- Live Translation: This is huge. It uses Apple Intelligence to do real-time, in-person translation. If you’re talking to someone speaking Spanish, you hear the English translation in your ear almost instantly. It’s a bit trippy at first, but it works surprisingly well.
- Charging: The case still has the speaker for Find My, and it now supports the Apple Watch charger, MagSafe, and USB-C.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Honestly, it depends on what you're coming from.
If you have the original AirPods Pro from 2019? Yes. It’s a night-and-day difference in sound stage and battery.
If you have the AirPods Pro 2? Only if you care about fitness or ANC. If you’re a runner who hates watches, the heart rate sensor is worth it. If you travel constantly and need that extra layer of silence, the 2x ANC is real.
But if your Pro 2s are still holding a charge and you just use them for podcasts at the office? You can probably wait. The H2 chip is the same, so you’re already getting most of the "Siri 2.0" features through firmware updates.
What to Do Next
If you decide to grab a pair, don't just stick with the medium tips. Apple added that XXS for a reason. Take five minutes to do the Ear Tip Fit Test in your Bluetooth settings. With the new foam-infused material, the seal is everything.
Also, make sure your iPhone is running at least iOS 26.2 to unlock the full Heart Rate and Live Translation features. Without the latest software, you're basically paying $249 for half the product.
Keep an eye on the firmware updates, too. Apple just pushed build 8B34, which supposedly fixes some of the "Precision Finding" bugs that have been annoying people since launch.
Check your current earbud battery health in the Settings app. If your Pro 2s are dipping below 80% capacity, that’s usually the sign that it’s time to move on.