AirPods Pro 3 Video Review: Is It Worth Upgrading Your AirPods Pro 2?

[EugW]

do you guys something similar to black Friday?

Yes we do. We never did before, but over the last decade or so because of US retail influence, we now have BF sales too (in addition to our Boxing Day sales at the end of the year). I will try to wait until BF. I won't need ANC until after that anyway.

 

[agsystems]

I will wait for next year, when Apple has the decency to change the H2 processor that I have from years ago.

Interesting? what feature is expected for H3? This things are updated every 18-24 months. Just about all the reviewers are saying noise cancellation is at least twice as good

 

[Happy_John]

Yes we do. We never did before, but over the last decade or so because of US retail influence, we now have BF sales too (in addition to our Boxing Day sales at the end of the year). I will try to wait until BF. I won't need ANC until after that anyway.

Most of Europe does Black Friday as well, now. Although it's not the USA-style complete madness of people camping out in front of shops.

 

[Happy_John]

Agreed, and I am specifically looking for unbiased reviews about the sound quality of music, versus the Airpods Pro 2, since I use airpods mostly for listening to music.

Yep, and I'm waiting to see comparisons not just with the APP2, but of equivalently priced/specced earbuds from other brands. I know AirPods will be more "seamless" with Apple stuff, I want audio quality and ANC comparisons.

 

[jlstephan]

I a

In the review video below, our own Dan Barbera shares his thoughts on the AirPods Pro 3, after testing them for nearly a week.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

AirPods Pro 3 upgrades are more noticeable than you might think. Everything from sound quality to Active Noise Cancellation to Transparency mode are improved, and the new foam-infused silicone ear tips make for the best fit yet.

Dan said the AirPods Pro 3 deliver a more dynamic sound profile, and he found that the ear buds stay in his ears much better compared to previous AirPods Pro.

He tested the new heart rate monitoring feature on the AirPods Pro 3, and he said the results are surprisingly accurate for such a small in-ear sensor. You can wear the AirPods Pro 3 and the Apple Watch together to receive an even more accurate heart rate reading during your workouts. On your iPhone, you can also start many types of workouts in the Fitness app while wearing just your AirPods Pro 3, with no Apple Watch necessary.

Dan said Active Noise Cancellation is noticeably better compared to the AirPods Pro 2, through a combination of improved microphones and computational audio improvements. In addition, the new foam-infused ear tips provide greater passive noise isolation.

Transparency mode has also been refined, with Dan saying his voice and others sound more natural now during in-person conversations and phone calls.

Apple says AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. That is up from 6 hours with the AirPods Pro 2. Dan tested the AirPods Pro 3 on his 5-hour flight home from Apple Park last week, and he said they lasted the entire flight, and he appreciated the improved Active Noise Cancellation. More time is needed for thorough testing of battery life, but he has no complaints so far.

Here is our recap of eight new AirPods Pro 3 features and changes:

1. 2× more active noise cancellation: Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 2× more active noise cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2, and up to 4× more than the original AirPods Pro. In fact, the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones, according to Apple.
   
2. Improved sound quality: AirPods Pro 3 feature a new acoustic architecture, with next-generation Adaptive EQ, that "transforms the bass response, widens the soundstage so users hear every instrument, and brings vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies across music, shows, and calls," according to Apple.
   
3. Longer battery life per charge: Apple says AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. That is up from 6 hours with the AirPods Pro 2. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro 3 charging case offers up to 24 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 case provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled.
   
4. Heart rate monitoring during workouts: Like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 feature a heart rate sensor that shines pulsating infrared light to measure light absorption in blood flow. AirPods Pro 3 users can track their heart rate and calories burned, close their Move ring, and earn awards for 50 different workout types in the Fitness app on an iPhone, with no Apple Watch required.
   
5. Improved fit: Apple says AirPods Pro 3 are the "most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever." The earbuds are slightly smaller, and the external design of each ear tip was "aligned to the center of the body for increased stability."
   
6. Improved water resistance: AirPods Pro 3 have IP57-rated sweat and water resistance, up from IP54 for the AirPods Pro 2. By definition, an IP57 rating means the AirPods Pro 3 could withstand temporary immersion in up to one meter of water, but Apple's marketing only promises that they "can handle the sweatiest workouts and even a sudden downpour."
   
7. U2 chip: The AirPods Pro 3 charging case is equipped with Apple's second-generation U2 chip for Ultra Wideband, allowing the Precision Finding feature to work at longer distances in the Find My app.
   
8. XXS ear tip option: AirPods Pro 3 come with new XXS silicone ear tips, along with the same XS, S, M, L sizes included with the AirPods Pro 2. Apple says the tips are now infused with foam for greater passive noise isolation.

AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, and they launch on Friday, September 19.

Some other media outlets and YouTube channels have shared AirPods Pro 3 reviews too.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 3 Video Review: Is It Worth Upgrading Your AirPods Pro 2?

I'm happy with my AP P2. Gym and when I have go to somewhere by myself. I think it is still good to upgrade

 

[Capeto]

99% sure the issue with the PBP2 was if you paired them with a treadmill or similar, not with your phone.

You're talking about it not recording heart rate if the PBP2 are paired to workout equipment, I'm talking about something different.

The original post by MacRumors says that using the APP3 in conjunction with an Apple Watch results in more accurate heart rate readings– a claim I have not seen Apple or anyone else make.

 

[ridgero]

Probably the best video out there:

TLDR: The heartrate sensor is accurate as hell 👍

 

[Happy_John]

You're talking about it not recording heart rate if the PBP2 are paired to workout equipment, I'm talking about something different.

The original post by MacRumors says that using the APP3 in conjunction with an Apple Watch results in more accurate heart rate readings– a claim I have not seen Apple or anyone else make.

people say a lot of things a lot of the time. Just because someone says they heard someone else said it, that doesn’t make it reality.

The MacRumors podcasts are pleasant, entertaining podcast, the two presenters have nice voices and a good rapport, but it shouldn’t be thought if as a source if “hard data”. They’re really NOT “hard numbers people”. They’re vibes and constantly present as if people update all their devices every year. So it’s self-affirming entertainment, which iis fine, but not a serious review.

Wait and see what’s said after a week, when more techical and scientifically robust reviews run tests.

Right now all you can say is it might be true and might not.

Fir what I’ve read and years, it seems the sensors in the APP3 work in conjunction with the sensors in the watch, and obe doesn’t cancel out the output from the other, is but that’s 1) also second-hand information, so rumour not fact, and 2) consolidating data does not automatically mean more accurate data.

The middle ear would be a more accurate place to measure temperature than the outer wrist, but I have no idea if it would give a more accurate heart rate reading.

 

[Matz]

Who pays $250 for APPs when they eventually go on sale for $60-80 off within a few months?

It continues to amaze me how easily some folks will make a snide comment, disguised as a question. For some reason it is becoming increasingly common on this site.

However, in case it was an actual question posed in a socially awkward manner: Someone that wants to use the APP3 as soon as they’re available; and is both willing and able to pay for them.

My point in my post, in case you missed it, is that the price - $250 - is very reasonable for this piece of tech. Nothing wrong with bargain hunting. Just don’t belittle those that can and do choose to pay retail to have it now.

 

[JTK Awesome]

XXS? How about XL? I can’t be the only person feeling like they’re going to fall out because they’re too small?

No XL tip, no sale. FU again Tim Cook. B&W can keep my money as I continue to enjoy my Pi8's with Azla tips (in size *XL* which *easily* fit the charging case). WTF do I need heart rate sensors in my ears anyway?

They'd be too big to fit in the APP3 charging case :-(

"Courage" - Apple couldn't mill out a few mm of plastic inside the case to fit larger tips.

 

[svish]

Think the new AirPods improves upon the Pro 2. Not sure how many will be upgrading. Would have liked to see bigger battery for the case. I am very happy with my 4th gen version with ANC and will not be upgrading.

 

[bookcase]

Most of Europe does Black Friday as well, now. Although it's not the USA-style complete madness of people camping out in front of shops.

I'm not sure it's as bad as it was pre-covid, plus more sales begin before BF. Regardless, I'll wait for a discount and will pick these up.

 

[Happy_John]

Think the new AirPods improves upon the Pro 2. Not sure how many will be upgrading. Would have liked to see bigger battery for the case. I am very happy with my 4th gen version with ANC and will not be upgrading.

I have the AP4s with ANC, and I’ll be upgrading to APP3 if they turn out ti be as good as hoped.

But I’ll be upgrading because, if I don’t, my home life will be … difficult.

My wife wants my AP4 with ANC. But she won’t buy a set for herself. She wants mine.

So I’ve been told the APP3s will be my Christmas present, and she’ll graciously take my current AirPods off my hands, the selfless angel that she is.

No, I don’t understand the logic either.

But yes, if I hadn’t been told that I’m no longer allowed to have my AP4s, I’d keep them and wouldn’t consider upgrading.

I really like my AP4s, I think I prefer them to my old APP2s ( which were lost on holidays).

 

[Pasha13]

Lol the AirPod Pro 2 had awesome noise cancellation - until they nuked it. Now we know why... MUST UPGRADE!!

 

[Pasha13]

Day 1 APP 1 had the most insane noise cancellation I have ever experienced. The Apple store went almost completely silent, and it felt life-changing. Then Apple subsequently nerfed the ANC with forced firmware updates.

This was to force you to buy the "upgraded" APP 3...

 

[Happy_John]

Lol the AirPod Pro 2 had awesome noise cancellation - until they nuked it. Now we know why... MUST UPGRADE!!

Eh, no. Perhaps your ANC isn't working as well as it did because you don't clean your AirPods? The is usually the reason why the mics, ANC and sound quality degrade - people don't bother unlocking the grills.

 

[Happy_John]

This was to force you to buy the "upgraded" APP 3...

As before:

Eh, no. Perhaps your ANC isn't working as well as it did because you don't clean your AirPods? The is usually the reason why the mics, ANC and sound quality degrade - people don't bother unlocking the grills.

 

[supergt]

As before:

Eh, no. Perhaps your ANC isn't working as well as it did because you don't clean your AirPods? The is usually the reason why the mics, ANC and sound quality degrade - people don't bother unlocking the grills.

APP1 had several ANC reductions shortly after launch via firmware updates. Had nothing to do with dirty AirPods, as they were brand new at the time. You might recall people were reporting headaches using APP1, and I suspect that is why Apple nuked the ANC.

 

[Happy_John]

APP1 had several ANC reductions shortly after launch via firmware updates. Had nothing to do with dirty AirPods, as they were brand new at the time. You might recall people were reporting headaches using APP1, and I suspect that is why Apple nuked the ANC.

Air Prods Pero 1 were released in 2019. You're talking about something that happened six years ago in the early days of the first gen of a new product. You are talking about one necessary change, done to benefit and/or protect users' health.

The comments I was responding to are claiming Apple are deliberately and repeatedly lowering the quality of APP1 and APP2 to force users to upgrade, and only to force users to upgrade,

That's firmly in tinfoil hat territory, in my opinion. The most common reason users find the ANC, sound quality or mics have lessening quality is that the grills and openings int eh APP have become covered in earwax, hair oil and/or other dirt, old and grime. The second most common reason is that the batteries are degrading, but this is not even a close second.

As any repair shop can tell you about any wearable technology, people are far less careful with their hygiene than they claim to be.

People should just clean theirAirPods first, it's not that difficult to do, before claiming conspiracy.

 

[Happy_John]

.

 

[Rychiar]

When do the AirPods Pro typically go on sale? I currently have the AirPods 1 and 2 which are fine in my home office since I don't need ANC at home. However, I'm in Canada, so sales in other countries wouldn't apply for us.

they'll be on sale by black friday / Christmas. I'm sure they'll be cheaper on amazon from the start even

 

[turbineseaplane]

Dave2D isn’t impressed that nuch, he prefers the sound of the AirPods Pro 2.

Dave is one I would trust here, as he reviews across the spectrum and is big enough to not be worried about what he says re: Apple.

 

[Pasha13]

As before:

Eh, no. Perhaps your ANC isn't working as well as it did because you don't clean your AirPods? The is usually the reason why the mics, ANC and sound quality degrade - people don't bother unlocking the grills.

Uh no. Mine are clean. The second pair I got was clean (after one bud from the first pair went into my garbage disposal). The third pair I purchased for a family member was clean.

Scroll up and read other commenters. This is the consensus. I remember specifically the virtually overnight change in noise cancellation when they were still brand new.

If you truly believe your position, the likely scenario is you purchased an already downgraded pair, and therefore have no basis for comparison.

 

[Happy_John]

Uh no. Mine are clean. The second pair I got was clean (after one bud from the first pair went into my garbage disposal). The third pair I purchased for a family member was clean.

Scroll up and read other commenters. This is the consensus. I remember specifically the virtually overnight change in noise cancellation when they were still brand new.

If you truly believe your position, the likely scenario is you purchased an already downgraded pair, and therefore have no basis for comparison.

Mmm, no. I don't believe you. Clean your AirPods.