Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are more than a sonic upgrade—they’re fitness-ready earbuds with a built-in heart-rate sensor, and represent an interesting departure for Apple that we’ll dive into shortly. But the new heart rate sensor isn’t the only thing new about AirPods Pro 3. There’s a new design, improvements to ANC and Transparency modes, better battery life, incredible Live Translation, and more.
Apple Watch-free workout tracking
For the first time in the Apple ecosystem, you’ll be able to track workouts in the Fitness app without an Apple Watch. You can start a workout on iPhone and record heart rate, calories, and over 50 workout types in the Fitness app while wearing AirPods Pro 3.
The tiny PPG sensor inside each earbud uses invisible infrared light and sensor fusion with motion data to deliver reliable workout metrics, close your Move ring, and even power Workout Buddy coaching for personalized, real-time motivation. Fitness+ users can also see live metrics onscreen during classes.
Smaller buds, better fit, tougher build
The new AirPods Pro 3 also feature what Apple is calling their best fit ever.
Apple re-engineered the internal layout to shrink each earbud while improving stability. New foam-infused eartips now come in five sizes (including XXS), helping more people get a secure seal for comfort, bass response, and passive isolation. With an IP57 rating, AirPods Pro 3 can handle sweat and rain, making them ready for runs, HIIT, or the commute.
Sound you can sink into—silence when you want it
Apple has also done a lot of work to make AirPods Pro 3 the best sounding AirPods yet.
A new multiport acoustic architecture and next-gen Adaptive EQ widen the soundstage and sharpen detail across music, shows, and calls, Apple says. On the flip side, AirPods Pro 3 deliver Apple’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation, removing up to 2× more noise than AirPods Pro 2 (and 4× more than the original).
Transparency has been tuned so your own voice—and the people around you—sound natural. Battery life now reaches up to 8 hours with ANC on, a 33% boost over the previous generation.
Smarts for travel and hearing health
Another major feature of focus from Apple with these latest AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are their powerful Live Translation capability.
Powered by Apple Intelligence, Live Translation aims to make in-person conversations easier across select languages, with AirPods translating foreign languages to your native tongue in real time. And when you need to speak back, iPhone can display live, two-way transcripts.
Price and availability
AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order today and arrive September 19, starting at $249.
Bottom line: If you’ve wanted AirPods that double as a workout or the ultimate world travel companion, AirPods Pro 3 deliver—with tighter fit, stronger ANC, and smarter features that go well beyond music.
