Apple AirPods Pro 3

In September 2025, Apple completely redefined the "Pro" in the name with the AirPods Pro 3. After a three-year hiatus since the second generation, Apple delivers far more than just a cosmetic audio upgrade: It is a massive leap towards health and fitness tracking. With the integration of an optical heart rate sensor directly in the ear, even more powerful ANC, and innovative hybrid silicone tips, the earbuds confidently take the lead in the market in April 2026. Although the battery life of the charging case has slightly decreased, the drastically extended runtime of the earbuds themselves and the fantastic overall package make these headphones the ultimate must-have in the Apple ecosystem.

Classification and target audience

The AirPods Pro 3 are aimed at discerning music lovers, commuters, and especially athletes who want to track their heart rate while jogging without necessarily having to wear an Apple Watch. In the current high-end in-ear market (April 2026), they are the undisputed leader for iPhone users and compete directly on a technical level with top models like the Sony WF-1000XM6 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

Design and comfort

At first glance, they look very similar to their predecessors, but the magic is in the details:

• Comfort & fit: Apple has minimally but effectively adjusted the housing shape based on countless ear scans. A true game changer is the new ear tips: Apple now includes five different sizes (down to XXS). Additionally, a fine foam layer is now integrated into the silicone of the tips, which adapts better to the ear canal and significantly enhances passive noise isolation.
• Durability: The headphones and the tiny USB-C charging case are now IP57 certified. They are not only water and sweat resistant but are also officially protected against dust ingress.

Sound, ANC, and microphones

The new, extremely powerful processor under the hood (often referred to as the H3 chip) brings noticeable audio leaps:

• Sound: With improved drivers and optimized air circulation in the housing, the bass has become even more responsive and punchy without overshadowing the crystal-clear highs.
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC): Apple claims that the ANC works twice as effectively as it did with the AirPods Pro 2. Especially in combination with the new foam silicone tips, even loud airplane engines or rattling trains are reduced to a barely audible whisper.
• Smart features: In addition to the fantastic "voice isolation" for phone calls, the earbuds now offer a live translation feature in real-time (which has been gradually rolled out in some EU countries due to regulations).

Battery, hardware, and health features

Here, Apple has evolved the device from a pure headphone to a wearable:

• Health & fitness: A tiny heart rate sensor in the earbuds measures the pulse during workouts and seamlessly transmits the data in real-time to the Apple Fitness app. Additionally, the proven functions for hearing health (including clinical hearing tests and use as a lightweight hearing aid) are deeply integrated into the system.
• Battery life: The earbuds themselves have become absolute long-distance runners. They now last up to 8 hours continuously with ANC activated (6.5 hours when the heart rate sensor is actively tracking). The compromise: The charging case has become slightly weaker and now offers a total runtime of 24 hours (previously 30 hours).
• Case location: The charging case now uses the U2 chip, enabling extremely precise proximity location ("Where is?") in conjunction with current iPhones.

Software status

The AirPods Pro 3 shine under iOS 19 with the familiar magical Apple integration. The cross-device switching works latency-free. Especially in the daily commute, the head gesture control excels: When a call comes in or Siri asks a question, you can simply nod to accept or shake your head to decline – completely silently and unobtrusively.

Conclusion and value for money

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises at the market launch in autumn 2025 was the pricing: Apple did not raise the price; the AirPods Pro 3 even started slightly cheaper than the predecessor in some places and are often available at an excellent street price of €240 to €260 (April 2026). If you own an iPhone and are looking for the ultimate in-ears with outstanding ANC, heart rate monitoring, and perfect comfort, look no further. There is currently no more well-rounded package on the market.