Photo: Burkhard Mücke / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
AirPods Pro 3
A heart rate sensor and sharper noise cancelling in a new fit.
Overview
AirPods Pro 3 changed the geometry of the earbuds to sit deeper and more securely, with foam-infused silicone tips in five sizes including an extra-extra-small option. The tips seal better and block more sound before the electronics get involved.
An optical sensor inside each bud tracks heart rate during workouts and sends the data to the Fitness app, while the H2 chip continues to run the audio. Apple said that noise cancellation is up to twice as effective as the second generation and four times better than the original.
Eight hours of listening and 24 hours with the case are rated with ANC on, and the earbuds are IP57 dust, sweat and water resistant. Live Translation uses the iPhone to translate conversations in real time, and the hearing aid feature supports users with mild to moderate hearing loss in many countries.
Why it mattered
Added health sensing and a new fit, making AirPods Pro a fitness accessory as well as a listening one.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 9, 2025
- Released
- September 19, 2025
- Launch price
- $249
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- In-ear heart rate sensor
- Foam-infused tips in five sizes
- Up to 2x better ANC than Pro 2
- IP57 dust and water resistance
- Live Translation and hearing aid features
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Driver
- Custom high-excursion Apple driver
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness
- Spatial Audio
- Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Chip
- Chip
- Apple H2 (earbuds), U2 (case)
Battery
- Listening time
- Up to 8 hours (ANC on); 6.5 hours with heart rate sensing
- Total with case
- Up to 24 hours (ANC on)
- Quick charge
- 5 minutes gives about 1 hour
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging
- USB-C, MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, Qi wireless
Design
- Water resistance
- IP57 (earbuds and case)
- Weight
- 5.55 g per earbud; case 43.99 g
- Dimensions
- Earbud 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0 mm; case 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8 mm
- Ear tips
- Foam-infused silicone, five sizes (XXS to L)
Features
- Controls
- Touch control on stem (swipe for volume), press for playback; Hey Siri
- Sensors
- Heart rate sensor, optical in-ear sensor, speech and motion accelerometers
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 26
How it compares
More in the AirPods Pro family
AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Silicone tips, active noise cancellation and a squeeze-based control.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation, Lightning)
An H2 chip doubles the noise cancellation of the original.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation, USB-C)
The same H2 earbuds in a USB-C case with better dust protection.