Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 have officially landed. After three years since the last major update, the latest version brings some meaningful changes — not in the way they look, but in how they fit, sound, and interact with your workouts, conversations, and everyday noise.

If you’ve been using AirPods Pro for a while (or even if you’re new to them), here’s a rundown of what’s different and what might actually matter.

At first glance, the AirPods Pro 3 look a lot like the Pro 2. But Apple actually made some quiet design changes on the inside to help them fit better — especially for people who’ve had issues getting a secure seal.

The new design is based on more than 10,000 ear scans and a massive dataset of ear shapes. The result? A smaller, more stable earbud with better weight distribution. They also now come with five tip sizes, including a new XXS option, so people with smaller ears aren’t stuck using something too big.

They’re also now rated IP57 for water and sweat resistance, which means you can confidently wear them in the gym, on a run, or in the rain without stressing about moisture damage.

Apple says the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the AirPods Pro 3 is up to twice as effective as the Pro 2 and four times better than the original Pro. That’s a bold claim — and one we’ll have to test in the real world — but it’s made possible by new foam tips, upgraded microphones, and smarter audio processing.

Transparency Mode got a tweak too, and it’s designed to sound more natural — so your own voice and people around you don’t sound robotic or muffled when you need to stay aware of your surroundings.

So whether you’re blocking out subway noise or trying to stay alert while walking the dog, the new ANC and Transparency features are designed to give you more control over what you hear — and when.

If you’re someone who wears AirPods to work out, this next one’s for you: the AirPods Pro 3 can now track your heart rate.

There’s a new sensor in each earbud that uses infrared light to monitor your pulse. That info goes straight to the Fitness app on your iPhone, so you can see heart rate, calories burned, and progress toward your Move ring. Apple says you can track over 50 types of workouts — everything from yoga to HIIT to rowing.

For Apple Fitness+ users, there’s even more: your real-time stats (heart rate, calories, Burn Bar, etc.) can show up onscreen during workouts, helping you stay motivated.

There’s also a new Workout Buddy feature that gives you personalized feedback during workouts — using your past data and Apple’s on-device AI. It’s still in beta and needs a newer iPhone, but it’s a glimpse of how fitness and wearables are getting more integrated.

One of the most interesting additions to AirPods Pro 3 is Live Translation. With this feature turned on, your AirPods can help you have conversations with someone who speaks a different language, in real time.

Here’s how it works: You talk, and your words get translated and spoken in the listener’s language. When they respond, their words are translated back into your language — all while you're both wearing AirPods. If they don’t have AirPods, your iPhone can act as a screen for the conversation, displaying translated text for both sides.

It’s available in several languages at launch — including English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese — with more (like Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese) coming soon.

Battery life gets a welcome upgrade. With ANC on, the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of playback (up from 6). In Transparency mode, they can last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Apple’s also continuing to lean into hearing health. There’s a Hearing Test built into the system that can give you results from home, and a Conversation Boost feature now turns on automatically when you’re trying to hear someone in a noisy place — like a café or a busy restaurant.

In the EU and UK, Apple has added certified Hearing Protection features as well, helping users reduce exposure to loud environments.

The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 — same as the Pro 2 — and are available for pre-order now, with general availability starting September 19, 2025.

You can pick them up through Apple’s website, Amazon, or your local electronics store once they hit shelves.