Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 bring several major updates that aim not just to improve sound, but to expand what earbuds can do.
First up: noise cancellation. The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) is significantly stronger, reportedly about double what the previous generation offered. Ear tips are now foam-infused, and there are more size options to help get a tighter, more secure seal inside the ear canal. That better fit helps both sound quality and the effectiveness of the silence when you want it.
Another big addition is live translation. With the right software and compatible phone, the new earbuds can translate speech in real time between two users wearing them. If only one person has the new buds, you can still get a translated version of the other speaker’s words shown on your phone. It’s designed to make conversations across different languages feel more natural and hands-free.
Then there’s health tracking. For the first time, these AirPods include a heart rate sensor. You can use them without needing an Apple Watch, for workouts and everyday monitoring. Data from the sensor works with the Fitness/Health software ecosystem, giving insights on things like heart beats per minute and how they trend over time.
As for battery life, there’s a notable improvement: with ANC turned on, the earbuds last about 8 hours. In transparency mode, that goes up further. They also received water and sweat resistance (rated IP57) and a more compact design for better comfort. Preorders are already open in many places, with shipping expected mid-September.
These changes suggest that Apple is pushing AirPods not only as premium audio accessories, but increasingly as health and travel companions—earbuds that can block out noise, translate on the fly, track your heart, and stay usable through sweat, weather and motion. Whether all users will want every feature, or prefer the simpler models, will depend a lot on individual needs and priorities.
