AirPods Pro 3 Launch: Smarter, Fitter, and More Powerful Than Ever

Apple has officially lifted the curtain on its latest generation of premium earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, and this release is shaping up to be one of the most significant updates to its audio lineup in years.

Apple has managed to blend hardware innovation with software powered by Apple Intelligence, transforming what were once simply excellent earbuds into a versatile wearable that bridges fitness tracking, accessibility tools, and real-time translation.

The headline feature is undoubtedly the massive improvement to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Apple claims the new model delivers twice the performance compared to the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to redesigned foam ear tips that now come in five different sizes and advanced processing technology. According to Apple, these are the best ANC in any in-ear wireless headphones today. The earbuds also feature an expanded soundstage with improved bass, making them not only quieter but also richer in musical detail.

Battery life has seen a welcome upgrade too. With ANC on, listeners can enjoy up to eight hours of continuous playback, a 33% increase compared to the previous generation. Switch to Transparency Mode, which now sounds more natural than ever, and the earbuds will last for up to ten hours on a single charge. This boost makes them far more practical for long trips, workouts, or workdays without constant recharging.

Accessibility has not been overlooked. The Hearing Aid feature, previously only available in select markets, is now officially certified for use in the UK and EU. This provides real medical-grade functionality for people with hearing impairments. Additionally, Conversation Boost is now activated automatically in noisy settings such as restaurants, offering enhanced amplification while filtering out background chatter. This makes the AirPods Pro 3 not just consumer earbuds but a serious assistive technology device.

Another breakthrough is the inclusion of a built-in heart rate monitor. This sensor supports more than 50 workout types in the iOS Fitness app and integrates seamlessly with Apple’s Workout Buddy feature, even if you only own an iPhone and the earbuds. Fitness+ subscribers benefit further, as they can view real-time metrics such as heart rate, calorie burn, and Move ring progress directly on their phone screen, all while wearing the earbuds.

The design has also been fine-tuned. Apple’s engineers studied over 10,000 ear scans and logged 100,000 hours of research to create a shape that fits more people comfortably. Each earbud is smaller than before, with reengineered internal architecture and redesigned ear tips for stability. They are also IP57 rated, meaning strong resistance against dust and water, making them suitable for both workouts and everyday wear.

Perhaps the most futuristic addition is Live Translation. Thanks to Apple Intelligence, users can speak naturally in their own language, and the AirPods will translate and output the response in the other person’s preferred language if they also own AirPods Pro 3. If not, your iPhone can act as a live translation display, showing subtitles of the conversation in real time. Currently, English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish are supported, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese arriving later this year.

This translation feature will also be available on AirPods 4 with ANC and updated AirPods Pro 2, as long as they’re paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 or later. This creates a broad ecosystem where communication barriers can be significantly reduced.

The AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order now at $249 across more than 50 countries, with official release scheduled for September 19. With their enhanced sound, smarter features, and expanded utility, they represent not just an upgrade but a new vision of what wireless earbuds can do in daily life.