When Apple unveiled the latest addition to its audio lineup, the AirPods Pro 3, this journalist had to confess to an immediate pre-order. While the demise of a previous pair hastened the decision, the allure of upgraded features made the £219 purchase feel inevitable.
Sound and Performance Upgrades
The most significant audio improvement is undoubtedly the bass. It's punchier, cleaner, and more controlled, creating an enveloping experience that previous AirPods models lacked. While over-ear headphones might still reign supreme for pure bass power, these earbuds are a top contender in their category.
Overall sound feels bigger and more impressive than the previous iteration, even giving rivals like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds a run for their money. Acoustic tracks sound clearer, revealing subtle instrumental details previously missed.
Spatial Audio remains a game-changing feature for immersion, whether listening to music, audiobooks, or watching films. Testing with Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' showcased crisp, clear delivery across guitar, vocals, and the iconic bassline. However, classical pieces like Max Richter's 'Spring 1' felt somewhat underwhelming, lacking depth even at full volume.
Noise Cancellation and Smart Features
Apple's noise cancellation has always been stellar, but the Pro 3 model might just have snatched the crown from the AirPods Max. It effectively shuts out the world, perfect for concentration or gaming.
Transparency mode, however, is where many users will spend most of their time. It allows you to hear your environment clearly without sacrificing audio quality. The new Adaptive mode intelligently blends both features, adjusting external noise based on your surroundings. This is ideal for staying aware while walking in urban areas, as it filters out general traffic white noise but lets you hear individual cars and people.
Conversation Awareness is another smart addition, automatically lowering media volume and reducing background noise when you start speaking—invaluable for office use.
Design, Battery, and Health Innovations
Packaging is Apple's standard minimalist white box, but notably, a charging cable is not included, a point of contention for a premium product. The earbuds themselves are slightly smaller than previous Pro models, though the case is larger, rendering old protective cases obsolete.
The fit is enhanced with five sizes of silicone ear tips, and a seal test ensures optimal sound. The secure fit means they stay put during runs or commutes.
Battery life is as advertised, offering around eight hours on a single charge, with the case providing 24 hours total. It's reliable, if not groundbreaking.
Health features are a significant step forward. Beyond a built-in heart rate monitor, new Hearing Health tools allow you to set volume limits and even take a hearing test directly from your phone. Hearing assistance can also function as a basic hearing aid, boosting ambient voices and sounds.
The headline-grabbing Live Translation feature, currently in beta, promises real-time conversation translation through the earbuds. In practice, it's still clunky, with noticeable delays and occasional mistranslations, but shows potential for future updates.
Verdict and Value for Money
At £219, the AirPods Pro 3 are a substantial investment. For those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, they represent a clear upgrade with superior sound, industry-leading noise cancellation, and innovative features.
However, for Android or Windows users, the value proposition diminishes significantly, as many features require an iPhone and iOS 26. In that case, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds might be a better alternative.
Objectively, these are a fantastic pair of earbuds. Subjectively, for an Apple user, they are one million percent worth it.
