Hey All. Looking for some advice here. I've never owned a smartphone of any kind and due to some nerve issues in my fingers never will. This means an Apple Watch is out for me. But I should still be able to use the Airpods Pro3 with my M4pro MBP. I know I won't get all the 'features' (maybe not a bad thing), but do folks think it could still be worth it? I'm thinking here of flights, working in libraries and noisy neighbors.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
We discussed it further down below my comment. It was just an example, anyway.
I’m glad to read here that so many other people have issues with the fit and seal of the 2 pro units. I thought it was my misshapen wonky ear canals. This has vexed me to the point of infinite frustration. I could never get my left ear to seal properly and it really decreased my ability to enjoy and use the product. Nevertheless I used them as they worked for me in so many situations despite the drawbacks. These things are a LIFESAVER when you’re stuck in the hospital for a 10+ day stretch. Which unfortunately happens way to often for me lately.
For me, aftermarket replacement tips have been the answer. I got both the Azla and the Comply replacement tips in the effort to find the ones that work for me. It was to the point where I didn’t care if I wasted $30 on the effort. I wanted this to work.
I’ve tested both over the past few days. I’ve found the Azla tips work best for me. The Comply tips were nice and are a worthy product. The Azla’s just suit my ears better.
I don’t work out in my buds. I just listen to music casually on the porch or when walking or when stuck in maison Medicine. I don’t sweat in them or wear them all the time. A lot of people say the Azla tips wear out quickly. That’s OK. I’m willing to spend the money for something that works well and if I have to order a set of these every 90 days or so I’ll do that. To me it’s worth it. I’ll just skip a lunch out or get office coffee once a week. They’ve improved my Air Pod pro 2 experience that much.
For me, aftermarket replacement tips have been the answer. I got both the Azla and the Comply replacement tips in the effort to find the ones that work for me. It was to the point where I didn’t care if I wasted $30 on the effort. I wanted this to work.
I’ve tested both over the past few days. I’ve found the Azla tips work best for me. The Comply tips were nice and are a worthy product. The Azla’s just suit my ears better.
I don’t work out in my buds. I just listen to music casually on the porch or when walking or when stuck in maison Medicine. I don’t sweat in them or wear them all the time. A lot of people say the Azla tips wear out quickly. That’s OK. I’m willing to spend the money for something that works well and if I have to order a set of these every 90 days or so I’ll do that. To me it’s worth it. I’ll just skip a lunch out or get office coffee once a week. They’ve improved my Air Pod pro 2 experience that much.
What I'm taking away from all the fit/seal discussions is that they should really have 2 or 3 different APP3 variants that cater to different fit/tip styles.
The case battery life got worse, but the AirPods themselves last longer. As long as you can charge the case every few days, you'll be fine with typical use, and you won't need to pop them back in the case to charge very often unless you're using them every waking minute.
Maybe it's your ears? Kidding. I agree. People said the same thing going from 1 to 2.. and now there will be those who say the same from 2 to 3... there's definitely upside, but like any upgrade, the value is going to be dependent on who you ask, and their perception of if that value is worth $250 to them.
One thing that nobody is really talking about is the overall lifespan of these thigns. When I first got the Airpods Pro 2 v1.0 when they first released 3 years ago, the battery per charge lasted way longer. If nothing else, battery life diminishes over time with recharge... and absolutely without a doubt I get far less out of each charge than I once did... and I will for sure see better performance out of the new ones.
If I had just gotten the rev 2 of the Airpods 2 for christmas this last year, it would be way less of an upgrade lure than in my case where I have had them for years. So each person will be diff for sure.
Can someone tell me if I should get the Comply TrueGrip or the TrueGrip Max for my APP 2? Their website shows the Max is better across the board, including sound quality. But some reviews on Amazon said the Max doesn't fit as well and aren't as comfortable due to the extra coating that makes them Max. Sounds like it makes them harder too. Can't find many comparison reviews between the two.
Wanna hear more?
The BASE AirPods (all of them, 1-2-3-4 whatever series they’re on now) with plastic ends fall out INSTANTLY from my ears. The OG AirPods fit when I put right in left and left in right. Just the curse of big ear canal openings. Nothing in our control.
AirPods Pro: at least they added the silicone tips. In the early days when Comply wasn’t around (the foam tips), people like me did the “sugru” hack. It was this foam like material that we’d make a tiny ring of and put it under the silicone tips which would help the silicone tips stay in as they got “filled” with that sugru moldable glue: https://www.imore.com/diy-make-your-own-moldable-ear-buds-cheap
It is hilarious that Apple has now gone and done the same thing with their “infused tips”. That’s basically a sugru hack done more commercially.
I swear by the Comply like foam tips and always will.
My ComplyFoam tips last over a year for me. But we all use our devices differently so we have different results.
I am happy Apple is finally including foam tips! They are the correct path!
The silicone tips for the AirPod Pro 2 don't work for me at all. They make my ears hurt badly after 15 minutes of wear. So if ComplyFoam didn't exist I wouldn't have kept my AP2s. Obviously, we all differ. No need to attack people who share their own experiences with third party products!
I don't work for Apple or Comply so I don't care AT ALL which people buy.
Comply foam tips work for me. Apple ones don’t. Simple. So much so that the earbuds don’t stay in. Disingenuous? I beg to differ. Perhaps be a little more understanding of the fact that not everyone is built the same way.
I’d not touch anything aftermarket especially for Apple stuff otherwise. Comply has been a game changer for me. It’s my only complaint about the Apple buds; fit. Comply solved that. What’s so disingenuous about it?
Comply tips for my APP 1 and 2 have lasted me over 2 years now with regular usage. The right one for APP 1 recently tore off so I reached into the box and took out the last pair (it came as a set of 3 pairs).
Now that Apple has finally gone the route of foam infused tips, I have high hopes, and it saves me money for aftermarket tips! If they work for me, that’s awesome! Otherwise I’ll return to Comply or something similar for APP3.
Last edited:
If you've been using the APP2 since release, likely you could use a new set/batteries anyway.
Apple only has so many respec points, can’t put all your points in the earpiece battery lol
Don't think there is a need to upgrade from AirPods 2. However if planning to buy one, think there will be plenty of discounts for both the Pro 3 and the older 2nd gen around Black Friday and that might be a good time to buy one.
So it sounds like battery life might be a lose some-win some equation.
I've got the APP2 and am still quite happy with them BUT the firmware updates have been a roller coaster with music quality varying immensely. They were great at the start, woeful midway, and sadly "just acceptable" right now.
Folks also should be aware that live translation is not available in the EU, just as call recording isn't.
I had also wished that the eyelet in the charging case would enable a small keyring to go in, instead of only a lanyard. After fitting an aftermarket case, I ended up getting a jeweller to laser weld a tiny keyring through the eyelet, then attached an aluminium carabiner to that for absolute flexibility.
I've got the APP2 and am still quite happy with them BUT the firmware updates have been a roller coaster with music quality varying immensely. They were great at the start, woeful midway, and sadly "just acceptable" right now.
Folks also should be aware that live translation is not available in the EU, just as call recording isn't.
I had also wished that the eyelet in the charging case would enable a small keyring to go in, instead of only a lanyard. After fitting an aftermarket case, I ended up getting a jeweller to laser weld a tiny keyring through the eyelet, then attached an aluminium carabiner to that for absolute flexibility.
Last edited:
I have the Pro, Pro 2 and in a few hours the Pro 3. I may or may not keep the 3, depending on how improved the improvements are. If the ANC is as buffed as they claim, it’ll be worth the money as far as I’m concerned!
Just got my Pro 3’s - while the stems / earbuds seems fine(ish) - the charge case feels so so much cheaper than the Pro 2’s.
Just open and close the lid - and if feels like you got a “fake” Charge case from unscrupulous vendors. Very disappointing.
It has NONE of the “solid” feel from the Pro 2 and earlier charge cases. Feels like “Let’s save a lot of money”
It is quite a bit larger than the Pro 2 case but weigh 6 grams less.
Just open and close the lid - and if feels like you got a “fake” Charge case from unscrupulous vendors. Very disappointing.
It has NONE of the “solid” feel from the Pro 2 and earlier charge cases. Feels like “Let’s save a lot of money”
It is quite a bit larger than the Pro 2 case but weigh 6 grams less.
I think it's weird that nobody talks about the vastly improved microphone quality. I think that alone is reason enough to upgrade for anyone who regularly has calls with them.
This is the best video I found for comparison:
0:25 - Airpods Pro 3
1:42 - Airpods Pro 2
2:20 - Airpods 4 with ANC
3:20 - Airpods 3
3:47 - Pixel Buds Pro 2
4:13 - Airpods 2019
4:43 - Powerbeats Pro 2
5:36 - Airpods Max
Also, compared to my Pro 1's, I have to press harder on the stem to play/pause. Not sure how it was on the Pro 2's.
This is the best video I found for comparison:
1:42 - Airpods Pro 2
2:20 - Airpods 4 with ANC
3:20 - Airpods 3
3:47 - Pixel Buds Pro 2
4:13 - Airpods 2019
4:43 - Powerbeats Pro 2
5:36 - Airpods Max
I agree. The hinge also has more play to it.
I like them. They are more firm, yet very comfortable.
Also, compared to my Pro 1's, I have to press harder on the stem to play/pause. Not sure how it was on the Pro 2's.
Last edited:
I’m on my first going on 2nd hour of listening.
So far so good. Not a big difference - maybe slightly more “in ear” pressure?
So I’m not certain I’ll keep them yet as the Pro 2’s are more gentle on the ears - and I have never dropped any or lost any.
Ok, just got them. For the first time in years... I passed the fit test. Of course, maybe Apple tweaked this to ensure everyone passes, I have no idea. But the noise cancelling is better than my Pro 2s. The sound is great, and I think the volume is louder (though maybe I have don't need as much volume due to better fit, improved tips, etc).
I ride my bike outside with earbuds (please, no lectures) and Pro 3s are still impacted by wind noise. Maybe a tad better than 2s, but not by much. Soundcore's anti-wind option in their app is much more impressive than Apple in this regard.
All in all... I'm bloody impressed.
I ride my bike outside with earbuds (please, no lectures) and Pro 3s are still impacted by wind noise. Maybe a tad better than 2s, but not by much. Soundcore's anti-wind option in their app is much more impressive than Apple in this regard.
All in all... I'm bloody impressed.
Does anyone else have sideways play on the case hinge? Mine has a lot more wiggle room than my Pro 1 case.
Last edited:
My contrarian 2 cents: just got the APP3 today. Ear tips are firmer: M are uncomfortable, S are loose, AND the ANC is worse than my APP2 (tested with a white noise machine 10 feet away). I may discern a slight improvement in sound quality, but not a night and day gap, for sure. Very disappointed. Returning them as soon as I can. AP4 (for everyday, casual stuff) and APP2 (for workouts and ANC) cover all my needs.