4 standout AirPods Professional 3 options that satisfied me I must improve

Alongside the brand new iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air, Apple formally unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 at its “Awe Dropping” occasion on September 9, 2025. Whereas the brand new AirPods Professional 3 do not look a lot completely different from their predecessor at first look, Apple has packed in a number of upgrades to its flagship earbuds.

As for me, I have been avoiding AirPods ever since their launch in 2017. Whereas a lot of that needed to do with not diving deeper into Apple’s walled backyard, it appears to be like like Apple has lastly completed sufficient to persuade me. After years of avoiding AirPods, I’d simply give in and purchase the AirPods Professional 3 this time round.

4

I can observe my exercises with out sporting a smartwatch

The brand new built-in coronary heart charge monitor covers on a regular basis health wants

Apple

I have been an lively health tracker consumer till lately. From the new Whoop MG to the Pixel Watch 3 and even fundamental trackers just like the Samsung Galaxy Match 3, I’ve tried all of them and used them to trace my exercises extensively over the previous couple of years.

These days, although, I have been drifting away from the entire workout-tracking routine. Monitoring exercises and restoration has began to really feel extra like a burden than a assist for both health or restoration, however the AirPods Professional 3 comes with one main improve that is perhaps excellent for me.

One of many largest upgrades within the AirPods Professional 3 is the brand new coronary heart charge sensor. Apple has added a small coronary heart charge sensor straight into the AirPods Professional, utilizing which the earbuds can observe fundamental exercises, together with working, strolling, yoga, and even HIIT classes, all by means of the Health app on the iPhone.

For somebody like me who often likes to trace runs and energy burned, this AirPods Professional 3 function may very well be precisely what I want, particularly since I am already sporting earbuds throughout exercises. The accuracy of monitoring is one thing that continues to be to be seen, although.

3

Energetic Noise Cancellation is even higher this time

Apple says ANC is 2x higher than AirPods Professional 2

Apple

In relation to noise cancellation on in-ear earbuds, the Apple AirPods Professional 2 are sometimes considered the gold commonplace. Many opponents just like the Bose QuietComfort and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have come shut, however the AirPods Professional stay a category aside.

Apple is constructing additional on this momentum. Based on the corporate, the AirPods Professional 3 ship twice the ANC of the AirPods Professional 2, which have been already finest in school. Apple says that is attainable because of ultra-low-noise microphones and new foam-infused ear suggestions for even higher noise isolation.

If these claims maintain true, Apple will as soon as once more surpass all different earbud makers on this class, and with improved ANC, the AirPods Professional 3 would possibly simply change into my go-to earbuds for flights and each day commutes.

2

Sturdiness has lastly improved with the AirPods Professional 3

Sweat, water, and each day put on do not feel like a menace anymore

Apple

Whereas the AirPods Professional 3 look just like the AirPods Pro 2, one of many largest adjustments to the construct is improved sturdiness. The AirPods Professional 3 carry an IP57 mud and water resistance score, which means they don’t seem to be solely sweat- and splash-proof for exercises however can be used within the rain.

As per the official score, the AirPods Professional 3 ought to face up to heavy rain and even submersion as much as 1 meter for half-hour. So if you happen to drop your earbuds within the water, in a pool, or put on them to the seashore, the AirPods Professional 3 ought to survive simply wonderful.

Whereas I really like the Pixel Buds Pro 2, they solely have an IP54 mud and water resistance score, so I must be barely cautious the place I take advantage of them. With the AirPods Professional 3, that fixed fear would possibly lastly go away.

1

Battery life is now on par with different flagship earbuds

I can lastly get by means of a full flight with out worrying a couple of cost

Apple

One other main however under-the-radar improve on the AirPods Professional 3 is improved battery life. Apple’s competing earbuds, just like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Pixel Buds Professional 2, each provide as much as 8 hours of battery on a single cost with ANC turned on.

The AirPods Professional 2, nevertheless, lagged behind at simply 6 hours of battery life with ANC turned on. When you might technically stretch it to eight, that was solely by turning off ANC — and that have isn’t the identical.

With the AirPods Professional 3, Apple has lastly matched the competitors, providing 8 hours of battery life with ANC on and as much as 30 hours with the case. This makes long-haul flights of round 8 hours way more bearable, whereas with the earlier technology I typically needed to recharge mid-flight.

The AirPods Professional 3 additionally retain the identical magnetic wi-fi charging as earlier than, making on-the-go charging handy.

I am lastly prepared to purchase the AirPods Professional 3

These are a few of the upgrades on the AirPods Professional 3 which have lastly gained me over. However these aren’t all — there are different enhancements I am trying ahead to, together with the improved design, which Apple claims to be smaller than earlier than, but steady, in addition to Reside Translate, which may very well be helpful when touring overseas.

Though it has been reported that the Live Translate feature can also be coming to the earlier technology AirPods Professional 2 in addition to AirPods 4.

Sure, the AirPods Professional 3 are nonetheless costly at $249, however the upgrades are compelling sufficient to make me think about switching this time. If not, I’d simply follow my Pixel Buds Professional 2, which have served me properly for over a yr.