Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Are AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade? Here’s everything you need to know.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 may well be the company’s most impactful product launch to date. Could Apple enhance water resistance to a higher IPX rating, perhaps even rivaling the likes of Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds, which boast an impressive IPX7 certification?

The original AirPods’ innovative design yielded a spin-off product: the first-generation AirPods Pro, which emerged on the scene in 2019. The AirPods Pro boast innovative features such as Energetic Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and seamless integration with Apple’s Discover My service, making them the ultimate choice for many consumers of Apple, Amazon, and Google products.

The latest iteration, released in September 2022, was a significant milestone. The new technology builds upon existing noise cancellation capabilities and introduces a novel feature: adjustable volume control through intuitive stem gestures on each AirPod, offering users unprecedented customization options. In September 2023, the AirPods Pro 2 received a minor update, featuring a USB-C charging case and an upgraded H2 chip that enables Lossless Audio when paired with Apple Vision Pro.

However that is not all. The forthcoming update to Siri will enable users to confirm or reject names using only head movements with AirPods Pro 2, while also enhancing Voice Isolation during calls.

Without assuming a need for AirPods Pro 3, you could consider that the existing models still offer excellent sound quality and features like active noise cancellation and wireless charging. Notwithstanding its success with a particular product, Apple does not cease to innovate and improve upon it. To date, reports suggest that the proposed enhancements have garnered significant attention.

AirPods Pro 2 on a mosaic table

The revised AirPods Pro 2 were released in September 2023. Given this timeline, it seems improbable that a fresh model will hit the market anytime soon. Below are the discharge dates for each AirPod product to date?

  • AirPods:
  • AirPods 2:
  • Airpods Professional:
  • AirPods Max:
  • AirPods 3:
  • Airpods Professional:
  • AirPods Professional USB-C:

According to a report from renowned trade analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it is predicted that Apple’s next-generation AirPods will commence mass production in the second half of 2024 or early 2025, coinciding with the release of the AirPods Max.

Without any credible information or reputable sources hinting at the release of AirPods Pro 3, it seems likely that we may not see a launch until 2025 at the earliest.

The AirPods Pro are available for purchase at a price point of $249 per unit. These prices position them significantly below half the value of the AirPods Max, yet still $70/£80 more than the cost of. 

When Apple discontinued the original AirPods Pro, it paved the way for the new AirPods Pro 2, suggesting that future AirPods Pro 3 models will offer seamless upgrades from their predecessors.

AirPods Pro 2 on leopard print background

Since Apple currently provides, it is likely that the AirPods Pro 3 will follow suit. Doesn’t this suggest that it’s compatible with any USB-C cables you have and can also facilitate faster charging? With the same physical footprint, USB-C enables greater power transfer, making it an environmentally friendlier option.

AirPods Pro’s unique features, such as Active Noise Cancellation, may see further enhancements in the forthcoming model, with Apple likely introducing additional innovations. The AirPods Pro 3, much like their predecessors, are expected to seamlessly integrate with Apple Watch chargers, while the case may also feature a built-in speaker that helps locate misplaced earbuds.

AirPods Pro utilize an H1 chip, whereas the latest AirPods Pro 2 employ an upgraded H2 chip. It’s plausible to envision that an H3 chip might power the next generation of AirPods Pro.

Given the H2 chip’s remarkable energetic noise cancellation capabilities, we can confidently rely on AirPods Pro 3 to build upon these existing features while introducing innovative new ones seamlessly. The final mannequin launched an adaptive transparency mode, which enables users to perceive the world around them more effectively by filtering out noises below a certain threshold. We wouldn’t be surprised to see further enhancements.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 might undergo a redesign, accompanied by new features focused on health and wellness. While Gurman remains mum on specifics, speculation suggests potential features linked to wellness and temperature monitoring.

The buds’ dimensions and weight remain unchanged from the AirPods Pro 1 to AirPods Pro 2, matching their exact counterparts. We anticipate the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds to share similar dimensions and mass with their predecessors.

Despite the similarities, the charging case did indeed undergo changes between the two models. The primary model measured 1.8 inches long, 0.9 inches wide, and 2.4 inches tall, weighing 1.6 ounces. In comparison, the AirPods Pro 2 case measures 1.78 inches in length, 0.85 inches in width, and 2.39 inches in height, tipping the scales at 1.79 ounces. To put these numbers into perspective, each set of circumstances has an analogous measurement; surprisingly, the AirPods Pro 2 are slightly heavier than expected. 

While it seems improbable that the scale’s dimensions will undergo a significant transformation, given their intended functionality of fitting comfortably in pockets or bags with minimal fuss. What makes the AirPods Pro so ubiquitous is their effortlessly intuitive design, which allows for a seamless listening experience. Simply pull them out of your pocket, flip open the case, and start listening. 

AirPods Pro 1 and 2 side by side

Thanks largely to the incorporation of the advanced H2 chip, AirPods Pro 2 boasts an extended battery life compared to its preceding model. AirPods Pro 2 can deliver up to six hours of uninterrupted listening on a single charge, a significant improvement over its predecessor, the AirPods Pro 1, which offered around four and a half hours of playback time per battery life cycle. The improvement is a notable one in everyday usage. 

The AirPods Pro 2, when paired with the charging case, offer up to 30 hours of listening time, a notable increase from the approximately 24 hours provided by their predecessor, the AirPods Pro 1. If Apple upgrades the AirPods Pro 3 with the H3 chip, we can reasonably expect a similar boost in battery life, potentially adding another hour or so of listening time. If the battery’s endurance is equally impressive, we might expect around 35 hours of playback time when fully charged. While the AirPods Pro 2 boasts increased battery life compared to its precursor, there’s no guarantee that a fresh chip will necessarily yield similar gains. An exceptionally powerful processor might suggest that the device requires additional power to function optimally.

The highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 is expected to build upon its predecessors’ innovative features, likely doubling down on the very elements that set them apart from the start? Given the rapid advancements in noise-cancellation technology, it’s likely that Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) will evolve to better suit its surroundings, potentially achieving even greater effectiveness through the integration of the upcoming H3 chip. 

The AirPods Pro 3 may boast enhanced durability, with possibly more robust earbuds that combine increased resistance to dirt and water. This waterproof mannequin offers protection from sweat and rain while walking, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable, but please note it’s not designed for underwater use in pools or other bodies of water. Despite its impressive water resistance, the Apple Watch still has room for improvement in this area, even with its current success.

We’re keenly awaiting any updates from Apple regarding improvements to the microphone quality in their AirPods Pro 2 following feedback from dissatisfied users who experienced subpar audio pickup. To achieve superior sound quality, we anticipate that AirPods Pro 3 will boast advanced microphone technology and sophisticated software capable of effectively filtering out ambient noise. Given Apple’s reputation for innovative and intuitive software, it’s hardly surprising that their programs are cleverly designed. 

USB-C port in AirPods Pro case

The upcoming AirPods Pro 3 are expected to maintain their sleek and compact design, but with some subtle tweaks. While they won’t shrink in size, the new model will reportedly boast a slightly more streamlined shape, making them an even more comfortable fit for users with varying ear sizes.

The AirPods 3 are unlikely to bring about a drastically different listening experience, building upon the tried-and-true formula of their predecessors.

The latest information suggests that Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 will indeed feature the H3 chip, which is an upgrade from the previous H1 chip used in earlier models. This new chip reportedly provides better noise-cancellation and audio processing capabilities, allowing for enhanced overall sound quality and improved performance.

As Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 recently incorporated the H2 chip, it is likely that future models will follow suit with the H3 chip, potentially debuting in the forthcoming AirPods Pro 3?

The AirPods Pro 2 are expected to offer a range of color options.

Although the AirPods Max comes in a variety of colors, it’s unlikely that the AirPods Pro 3 will follow suit. Apple’s AirPods boast a striking, unmistakable white design, and it’s unlikely their aesthetic will undergo a significant transformation.

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