Apple has officially taken wireless audio to the next level with AirPods Pro 3. This third-generation model is not just a small refresh — it’s a massive leap forward in comfort, sound quality, and health-focused features.
AirPods Pro 3 Full Features & Specs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) |
| Chipset | Apple H2 Audio Chip |
| Driver | Custom high-excursion Apple driver with optimized acoustic chamber |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Advanced ANC with Adaptive Audio (real-time blend of ANC + Transparency) |
| Transparency Mode | Yes, with adaptive adjustment for voices/alerts |
| Adaptive Audio | Dynamically balances noise reduction & awareness |
| Personalized Spatial Audio | Yes, with dynamic head tracking |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming mics + inward-facing mic for feedback |
| Sensors | – Optical in-ear detection – Accelerometer & gyroscope – Force sensor for controls – New: PPG heart-rate sensor |
| Controls | Squeeze stems for play/pause, calls, ANC modes; swipe for volume |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 8 hours (with ANC on) |
| Battery Life (With Case) | Up to 30 hours total listening |
| Charging Case | MagSafe, Qi wireless, Lightning & USB-C charging support |
| Fast Charging | 5 min = ~1 hour listening time |
| Water & Sweat Resistance | IPX4 (earbuds + case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.x, seamless pairing with Apple devices |
| Audio Codecs | AAC (no true lossless Bluetooth) |
| Compatibility | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV (best features on iOS/macOS) |
| Special Features | – Conversation Awareness – Find My integration – Auto-switching between Apple devices – Hearing accessibility features (Conversation Boost, Headphone Accommodations) |
| Fitness Integration | Real-time heart rate via Fitness+ & Health app |
| Colors | White (default) |
| Price (Launch) | $249 (region-dependent) |
If you’re wondering what’s new and why these earbuds are trending, here’s a deep dive into everything you need to know.
Apple H2 Audio Chip Features
- Dedicated Low-Latency Audio Pipeline
- Unlike generic Bluetooth chips, H2 has a dedicated audio processing lane optimized for sub-10ms latency with iOS devices. This enables smoother Spatial Audio and tighter lip-sync for video playback.
- On-Chip Machine Learning Engines
- Apple integrated lightweight ML accelerators into H2. These allow real-time environment classification (detecting speech, sudden noises, wind) without offloading to the iPhone. That’s how Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness work instantly.
- Power-Efficient ANC Filters
- Instead of brute-force DSP, H2 uses context-aware ANC: it adjusts filter coefficients dynamically depending on the noise spectrum, saving battery while maintaining performance.
- Sensor Fusion Hub
- H2 doesn’t just handle sound — it also fuses accelerometer, gyroscope, and the new heart-rate PPG sensor data. By doing this locally, it reduces reliance on the iPhone’s processor, lowering latency and improving real-time feedback in workouts.
- Tighter Ecosystem Security
- Apple uses on-chip encryption and handshake protocols unique to H2, which makes AirPods Pro 3 pairing and device switching both fast and secure — something most third-party chipsets don’t match.
- Dynamic Acoustic Modeling
- H2 constantly adjusts EQ curves based on microphone feedback and ear canal resonance. This per-user micro-tuning happens live, not just during setup (different from one-time calibration).
- Custom Memory Partitioning
- Unlike off-the-shelf Qualcomm or MediaTek chips, H2 reserves internal SRAM blocks for audio buffers, ensuring consistent ANC and transparency without hiccups — even under weak connections.
- Optimized for Battery Longevity
- H2’s compute cores can scale clock speed on demand. During silence, the chip drops to a near-idle state, which is how AirPods Pro 3 achieve up to 8 hours of playback despite running heavy DSP tasks.
Best-in-Class Noise Cancellation
The first thing you’ll notice is the dramatic upgrade to Active Noise Cancellation.
AirPods Pro 3 block out more background sound than any previous version, thanks to improved microphones and software tuning. Whether you’re on a noisy train or sitting in a busy office, they create a much quieter listening bubble.
The noise cancellation on AirPods Pro 3 is noticeably better than on AirPods Pro 2.
Here’s why:
- Stronger Active Noise Cancellation: The new processing system in Pro 3 cancels a wider range of background sounds, especially low rumbles like airplane engines or road noise.
- Improved Ear-Tip Seal: With redesigned tips and more size options, Pro 3 create a tighter acoustic seal, reducing sound leakage and making ANC more effective.
- Upgraded Microphones: The microphones are more accurate at detecting external sounds, so the earbuds can cancel them out faster and with greater precision.
- Refined Transparency Mode: Switching between ANC and Transparency feels smoother, and when you want outside sounds to pass through, voices and environmental noise are clearer and more natural.
In everyday life, this means you’ll notice quieter commutes, calmer flights, and fewer distractions compared to Pro 2.
Lossless Audio in AirPods Pro 3
Lossless audio means sound files that keep all the original data from the recording, so you get a richer and more detailed listening experience than compressed formats.
Previously, AirPods including Pro 2 used Bluetooth codecs like AAC which compresses audio and loses quality. With SPR-AVS, AirPods Pro 3 can transmit audio data more efficiently and preserve the original sound.
You’ll notice this most when paired with a compatible device like the iPhone 17 which also supports SPR-AVS. Together they deliver an immersive listening experience with high-res audio and make the most of tracks available in Apple Music’s Lossless tier.
Redesigned Fit with Five Tip Sizes
Apple finally listened to user feedback and introduced five ear tip sizes, including an extra-small option. This ensures a better fit for all ear shapes, which means improved sound isolation and less risk of the earbuds falling out during workouts or running.
Pro-Level Sound with Adaptive EQ
Sound quality gets a serious boost in the AirPods Pro 3. The new drivers produce richer bass and clearer mids, while Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound signature in real time based on your ear shape and music genre. You don’t need to fiddle with settings — the earbuds do it for you.
Adaptive Audio System
Adaptive Audio is Apple’s intelligent sound adjustment system. Instead of forcing you to switch manually between Noise Cancellation and Transparency, AirPods Pro 3 analyze your surroundings in real time and adjust audio levels automatically.
In short:
- Quiet places → More Transparency (you hear natural sounds).
- Noisy places → Stronger Noise Cancellation (distractions are reduced).
- Mixed environments → Balanced blend (voices come through, noise stays out).
This makes your listening experience more natural, without constant toggling.
Built-in Heart Rate Sensor
One of the biggest talking points is the integrated heart rate monitor. For the first time, AirPods can track your pulse directly from your ear.
This is a game-changer for fitness enthusiasts who don’t want to wear a smartwatch all the time. You can see your heart rate live in the Health or Fitness app while running, cycling, or even during meditation.
IP57 Water and Sweat Resistance
AirPods Pro 3 are tougher than ever. With an IP57 rating, they can handle heavy sweat, rain, and even brief accidental splashes without damage. This makes them perfect for gym workouts, outdoor runs, or commuting in unpredictable weather.
Smarter Transparency & Live Translation
Transparency Mode now works even more naturally, letting outside sounds through without distortion. Apple has also added real-time translation, which is incredibly useful for travelers.
Imagine hearing someone speak in a foreign language and getting a live translation straight into your ears — that’s what AirPods Pro 3 can do.
Longer Battery Life
Battery life is up to 8 hours on a single charge with ANC enabled, and over 30 hours combined with the charging case. That means fewer charging breaks and more time enjoying music, calls, or podcasts.
Next-Gen Chip & Find My Upgrades
Under the hood, Apple uses its newest wireless chip, which improves Bluetooth range, connection stability, and spatial audio performance.
The case now supports precision finding, so you can locate it with pinpoint accuracy using your iPhone — a big relief if you often misplace your earbuds.
AirPods Pro 3 Case Dimensions, Weight, and Design Features
The AirPods Pro 3 charging case is designed to be compact yet durable, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag.
It measures 47.2 mm in height, 62.2 mm in width, and 21.8 mm in depth, while weighing around 44 grams.
Despite its small size, the case supports USB-C charging, wireless MagSafe compatibility, and improved durability, ensuring it stays practical for everyday use.
Why AirPods Pro 3 Are Worth It
AirPods Pro 3 aren’t just an incremental update — they combine high-end sound quality, fitness tracking, and smart AI features into one sleek package. Whether you care about music quality, health data, or seamless Apple ecosystem integration, these are arguably the most advanced earbuds available in 2025.
