AirPods Pro 3 First Look

[jimmy_uk]

I really hope Apple isn’t pulling a “Sony move” by relying on foam in the tips for most of the ANC improvements. When Sony went from the WF-1000XM3 (excellent in their day) to the WF-1000XM4, they switched to foam tips to boost isolation. That only works if you get a perfect fit and seal—and for me, foam tips are uncomfortable and irritating on the skin. I ended up returning them and moving to AirPods Pro instead.

Bose also had it right at one point—their tips with the internal wings were perfect, giving the best ANC I’d experienced. But then they changed the design, which made them less comfortable and harder to get a consistent fit.

That’s where Apple has nailed it for me. While AirPods Pro don’t quite match Sony or Bose in raw sound quality, the balance of good enough sound, excellent ANC, and unbeatable comfort wins. Comfort is huge for me since I work in an office and need to pull the buds in and out all the time—AirPods make that effortless with zero friction and a perfect seat every time.

That’s why I’m hoping the AirPods Pro 3 deliver real improvements over the Pro 2. The APP2 have been excellent, but I’m craving even better ANC and sound quality—without sacrificing the comfort and ease of use that make them so reliable.

 

[asian boyfriend]

https://www.patentlyapple.com/2025/09/how-apples-new-wireless-protocol-spr-avs-powers-their-spatial-ecosystem.html

New audio protocol! Full benefits between iPhone 17 and Airpods Pro 3 only it seems.

 

[eeek5127]

The whole point in me buying an Apple Watch was to help monitor, record, and compare workouts & to simply not carry a phone when doing so. Not sure why heart rate in AirPods matter whatsoever. Who’s going to use them to replace a superior product that already does that job? That said, what gets priority? If you are wearing both a watch and AirPods, what reports heart rate?

 

[GigabitEthernet]

https://www.patentlyapple.com/2025/09/how-apples-new-wireless-protocol-spr-avs-powers-their-spatial-ecosystem.html

New audio protocol! Full benefits between iPhone 17 and Airpods Pro 3 only it seems.

So has Apple quietly figured out how to do lossless audio over Bluetooth? I thought it was impossible?

 

[iMacDragon]

So has Apple quietly figured out how to do lossless audio over Bluetooth? I thought it was impossible?

It was already announced previously for usb c airpods pro 2 when used with vision pro in some form - it was presumed this was due to the closeness of the devices at the time allowing better bandwidth gaurantees.

 

[dandrewk]

The whole point in me buying an Apple Watch was to help monitor, record, and compare workouts & to simply not carry a phone when doing so. Not sure why heart rate in AirPods matter whatsoever. Who’s going to use them to replace a superior product that already does that job? That said, what gets priority? If you are wearing both a watch and AirPods, what reports heart rate?

Some people don't want to pay for watch 5g connectivity. And many users (myself included) have issues with the watch periodically losing HR tracking. This has existed through all watch generations since AW1. It's not a technical issue, it's all about physiology. The sensor being located in the ear canal solves this problem.

As has been posted in this thread, if wearing a watch the workout will always use the watch for all workout apps, including third party, even if wearing AP3. There is no option to do otherwise. It's an iOS thing.

 

[DutchApplePie]

Yes, especially after some use. I've had to do that several times and also switch to speaking on the phone instead of AirPods, because the people I spoke with couldn't understand anything

Glad I'm not alone. People have always said I sound robotic when speaking through my AirPods Pro. If I get a call while I have them in I don't even bother using them.

 

[p.willis]

Having upgraded from the first gen, I'm looking forward to trying mine out when they arrive on Friday.

yes seems like enough added features to make upgrading from 1 to 3 a no brainer

 

[StrollerEd]

yes seems like enough added features to make upgrading from 1 to 3 a no brainer

I was sorely tempted over this past year to upgrade to the APP2, trying to find a 'good price' and even almost being scammed by a 'good copy'.

But now awaiting legit happiness this coming Apple Friday, when iPhone 17P is also due.

Looking forward to telling you which came first ... the chickphone or the ear eggs

[apols for attempting the same joke on two different threads ...]

 

[alexandr]

Glad I'm not alone. People have always said I sound robotic when speaking through my AirPods Pro. If I get a call while I have them in I don't even bother using them.

Yes, sadly that sounds about right. I was in an airport and recorded a short video bubble in telegram. Played it back to make sure I sounded ok — I didn't sound at all.

 

[ignatius345]

Can imagine the Max has better noise cancelling than APP 3 already.

I’m not sure about that! I find the noise canceling on the Max is a bit better than on the APP 2, but if the APP 3 is truly as big a leap forward as their marketing says, it may well pull ahead?

 

[joecomo]

Sounds like it won't be necessary to cinch my Apple Watch band so tight during workouts in order to register heart rate, as long as wearing AirPods Pro 3.

that is actually a benefit - wonder what it does, if you have both? Will it use both, to get to more accurate measurements?