AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: 7 Essential Differences for Upgrading Your Premium Wireless Earbuds

While Apple has not changed the design of the AirPods Pro 3, many consumers might erroneously assume that there are minimal differences between the latest iteration and its predecessor, the AirPods Pro 2. However, an exploration of seven significant upgrades reveals that these new wireless earbuds offer substantial enhancements worth considering. For those looking for a concise overview, a detailed comparison table is available further down the page.

Enhanced Foam-Infused Eartips

The AirPods Pro 3 introduce Apple’s innovative ‘foam-infused’ eartips, enhancing comfort with improved ear sealing. This upgrade features a wider variety of sizes, including an XXS option, catering to a broader range of ear shapes and sizes.

Advanced Active Noise Cancellation

Rumors swirled before the official release of the AirPods Pro 3, suggesting they would deliver double the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance compared to the AirPods Pro 2. Thanks to the new eartips and enhanced sound algorithms, Apple has indeed taken ANC to a new level while maintaining the same H2 chip that powers previous models.

Next-Generation Transparency Mode

The inclusion of an upgraded ‘Next-Gen Transparency’ mode further enhances the listening experience. This feature optimally utilizes new microphones to create a more natural interaction with your environment and improve conversation quality. Impressively, when using Transparency Mode, the battery life sees a remarkable 67 percent increase, allowing for up to 10 hours of use on a single charge.

Superior Dust and Water Resistance

In a significant advancement, the AirPods Pro 3 now feature an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, a step up from the IP54 rating of their predecessors. According to Apple, these earbuds can survive immersion in water for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, making them more resilient during intense workouts and outdoor activities.

Longer Battery Life per Earbud

Battery performance is significantly improved in the AirPods Pro 3, offering up to 8 hours of playback time with ANC activated. With Transparency Mode on, users can enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous listening. However, when it comes to the charging case, the total listening time has decreased to 24 hours, compared to the 30 hours available with the AirPods Pro 2, marking a 25% reduction in overall runtime.

Integrated Heart-Rate Sensor

In a notable first for the AirPods lineup, the AirPods Pro 3 now incorporate a heart-rate sensor. This advanced feature uses a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that emits infrared light into the ear canal, measuring heart rate by analyzing blood flow.

Upgraded U2 Chip

Contrary to expectations of a new H3 chip, Apple has included a U2 silicon chip in the wireless charging case of the AirPods Pro 3. This second-generation ultra-wideband chip elevates the location tracking capabilities, offering a tracking range that is up to three times longer, with precise location assistance up to 200 feet (60 meters).Additionally, directional guidance and distance estimates enhance the ease of locating your earbuds using the Find My app.

Notably, in an effort to reduce environmental impact, Apple no longer includes a charging cable with the AirPods Pro 3 packaging. While this might raise concerns for some users, many likely have compatible cables from previous purchases.

Key differences between the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2

If the aforementioned features entice you to upgrade, the AirPods Pro 3 are available for $249 on Amazon. For those on a tighter budget, the older AirPods Pro 2 can be purchased for $199, discounted by 20 percent. Apple’s AirPods line consistently offers great value for money, making it possible for users to acquire high-quality audio products at competitive prices.

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