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MitzEclipse

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 26, 2012
367
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Same size, no issue with buds and same chip. Don't really see the difference other than 4x ANC, battery and HR sensor. Want live translation and as chip is the same and reports say it's supported with AirPods Pro 2. Am I missing something or save the $60 and go with Pro 2 refurbished?
 
ANC is a big selling point for me in general. Maybe not the case for you. I could care less about the HR sensor. The battery is nice. For me that’s enough to jump from the 1s to the 3s. I was holding out for this release before I ordered and ended up opting for the 3s over the 2s.
 
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I have the AirPods Pro 1 and have ordered the new AirPods Pro 3. The 4x improvements in the ANC are enough to warranty the upgrade along with the better battery life which will be great for long flights. I’ve been waiting for this upgrade for some time as my left earbud has developed a clicking noise when ANC is being used.
 
I have the AirPods Pro 1 and have ordered the new AirPods Pro 3. The 4x improvements in the ANC are enough to warranty the upgrade along with the better battery life which will be great for long flights. I’ve been waiting for this upgrade for some time as my left earbud has developed a clicking noise when ANC is being used.
Same here! Can't remember if it was one or both, but ANC caused loud static depending on how far it was in the ear, or not.
Either way, picking up the Pro 3 tomorrow so should be a half decent upgrade.....
 
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Same here! Can't remember if it was one or both, but ANC caused loud static depending on how far it was in the ear, or not.
Either way, picking up the Pro 3 tomorrow so should be a half decent upgrade.....
I’m loving the AirPods Pro 3 and I think you will as well. They feel very different in the ears, the angle of the ear tips and the firmness of the ear tips is quite different. This results in much much better ANC. The sound stage feels much bigger and the sound to my ears is clearer and better.
 
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Both are a huge upgrade from the original AirPods. The 3 are definitely worth the full cost if they fit your ears comfortably. The sound is a decent upgrade over the 2, the ANC is incredible, and they have great battery life.

May as well get the 3 first because you can get them direct from Apple and take advantage of the 14 day return policy if they aren't comfortable, and get a pair of AirPods Pro 2 afterwards.

Sadly for me, these AirPods Pro 3 are so uncomfortable in my ears that I'll be returning them and sticking with my AirPods Pro 2. I'm sad to give up all the upgrades, but at least my ears don't hurt anymore. It's just luck of the draw with the shape of your ears. The first and second generation were perfect for me.
 
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Sadly for me, these AirPods Pro 3 are so uncomfortable in my ears that I'll be returning them and sticking with my AirPods Pro 2.
That's the same experience I had too. To me what's unfortunate isn't so much being "stuck" on the Pro 2 but more so the question of what to do when these eventually fail. Do I buy a brand new pair right now and unbox it in a couple years? But then they'd be out of warranty and who knows if the batteries are still good.

I can't rely on an endless Applecare One subscription either as Apple is known to force upgrades (i.e. upgrade for free) when they no longer carry an older version of a product.

Anyone got a better idea than stockpiling a couple pairs?

Am I missing something or save the $60 and go with Pro 2 refurbished?
You can get them brand new, for example Target has often has sales for it that come out to around $165 or $170. If saving the money is your priority there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Pro 2. Whether the Pro 2 or the Pro 3 will be a better fit for you is not something we can tell you, you have to try out a pair for over an hour at least to see how comfortable they are.

For me it took just under a full hour with the Pro 3 to realize I could not possibly get through a full day with them. I fly a lot so I rely on them to drown out all the airport and of course engine noises. The Pro 2 are actually fantastic for that purpose because even with ANC on everybody talks so loud that I can still speak to people. ANC was indeed better with the Pro 3 for me but I don't want that. The Pro 2 have just the right amount of ANC.
 
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Went from APP2 to APP3 and aside from the heart rate sensor and better fit in my ear, I don't really notice much improvement in ANC.

Bear in mind that I'm 57 so your experience may differ.

Looking to sell my APP2 with 2 battery cases; USB C and lightning versions. Haven't got around to putting them on Marketplace.
 
That's the same experience I had too. To me what's unfortunate isn't so much being "stuck" on the Pro 2 but more so the question of what to do when these eventually fail. Do I buy a brand new pair right now and unbox it in a couple years? But then they'd be out of warranty and who knows if the batteries are still good.

I can't rely on an endless Applecare One subscription either as Apple is known to force upgrades (i.e. upgrade for free) when they no longer carry an older version of a product.

Anyone got a better idea than stockpiling a couple pairs?

Yeah it's a weird position to be in. I've driven my pair pretty hard and the battery life is getting pretty rough. I've also got the lightning case, which is a bit annoying, and people often tell me on phone calls that they can't hear me very well until I take my AirPods out, so I'm guessing one of them has a faulty mic. So I was really ready for the third generation.

I'm going to keep an eye out for deals on a new pair of AirPods Pro 2 to tide me over for the next couple years, but after that I truly don't know. I've used AirPods Pro daily since the first generation, and all of a sudden it's like the rug just got pulled out from under me and they don't offer a product in that category that's suitable for me.
 
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