Apple Unveils AirPods Pro 3 — A Leap Forward in Personal Audio
By Atlantic Insider Technology Desk
Apple has revealed its newest earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, promising substantial upgrades across design, sound, and features. Designed for audiophiles and fitness enthusiasts alike, these earbuds combine advanced hardware with emerging Apple Intelligence capabilities.
What’s New
Unmatched Noise Cancellation & Sound Performance
Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) among in‑ear headphones: up to twice the noise suppression of the previous generation and four times more than the original model. They also introduce a “multiport acoustic architecture” to improve airflow, add more immersive bass, widen the soundstage, and sharpen clarity in vocals and higher frequencies.
Better Fit, More Sizes
The new earbuds are smaller and feature a re‑engineered internal structure to provide better fit and stability during intense workouts like running, HIIT, and yoga. Apple now includes foam‑infused ear tips in five sizes, adding a new ultra-small (XXS) size. The IP57 rating ensures sweat and water resistance for everyday and athletic use.
Fitness & Health Enhancements
AirPods Pro 3 can now measure heart rate during workouts using a photoplethysmography sensor (PPG) that detects cardiovascular changes. With sensor fusion (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) and on‑device AI, the earbuds track over 50 types of workouts, estimate calories burned, and offer motivation through the new Workout Buddy feature.
Live Translation & Communication
Another standout feature is Live Translation, enabling real‑time face-to-face conversational translation. It’s especially helpful for travelers or multilingual households. Initially in beta, it supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with more languages to come.
Longer Battery & Hearing Support
Battery life is improved across the board. Users get up to 8 hours of music playback with ANC — a 33% boost over the previous model — and 10 hours in transparency mode. The earbuds also support Apple’s suite of hearing health tools, including Hearing Protection, Hearing Test, and Conversation Boost for noisy environments.
Sustainability & Pricing
Apple continues pushing sustainability with AirPods Pro 3. They’re made with 40% recycled content, including recycled cobalt and plastics. The production process uses 40% renewable electricity, and all packaging is fully fiber-based.
The earbuds are priced at $249 USD, available for preorder now and launching in stores on September 19, 2025.
Analyst’s Take
These upgrades place AirPods Pro 3 firmly in the premium segment. The focus on ANC, fitness tracking, and hearing accessibility indicates Apple’s strategy to appeal to both tech-savvy consumers and those with lifestyle-specific needs.
Critically, the new XXS ear tips aim to widen Apple’s demographic reach, while fitness integrations could pressure rivals like Bose and Sony to respond with health-oriented features of their own. AirPods are evolving from headphones into wearable health and communication devices — and that’s a category Apple intends to dominate.
Want a side-by-side comparison with Bose or Sony's latest earbuds? Reach out to the Atlantic Insider Tech Desk.
