AirPods Pro 3: price, release date, new features
TL;DR:
- AirPods Pro 3 are $249, preorders live now, shipping September 19, 2025.
- New PPG heart rate sensor ties into iPhone Fitness and “Workout Buddy.”
- Apple claims the world’s best in-ear ANC, up to 2x better than Pro 2.
- Live Translation arrives in beta for face-to-face chats.
- Battery: up to 8 hours with ANC, up to 10 hours in Transparency.
Apple announced AirPods Pro 3 during its September keynote. Preorders opened on September 9, 2025, with retail availability on September 19, 2025. The price is $249 in the U.S. Apple positions this model as a major step in fit, noise canceling, and health features.
The headline upgrades
Apple added a photoplethysmography (PPG) heart rate sensor inside the earbuds. It tracks heart rate during workouts and feeds the Fitness app on iPhone. A new Workout Buddy experience gives real-time prompts based on your activity history. This is Apple’s first heart-rate-sensing AirPods.
Noise canceling also takes a leap. Apple claims the world’s best in-ear ANC, up to 2x more effective than AirPods Pro 2, helped by ultra-low-noise mics, new foam-infused tips, and revised acoustics. Review outlets echo the focus on stronger ANC in early coverage.
Live Translation arrives in beta. With an iPhone, AirPods can translate in-person conversations in near real time and show an on-screen transcript when needed. Apple and wire reports both highlight the feature as a marquee addition.
Fit, comfort, and durability
Apple says it analyzed over 10,000 ear scans and redesigned the internal layout to improve stability. There are now five ear tip sizes, adding XXS. The buds and case are rated IP57 for sweat and water resistance. That is a notable bump for gym and travel use.
Battery life and charging
Runtime increases across modes. Apple rates up to 8 hours with ANC on, and up to 10 hours in Transparency. That is a 33 percent and 67 percent improvement over the prior model in those modes, respectively, according to Apple’s figures.
Audio chain and mics
A reworked multiport acoustic architecture and next-gen Adaptive EQ aim for a wider soundstage and clearer vocals. Apple also calls out more natural Transparency so your own voice and nearby speech sound less processed. Early write-ups emphasize the sound and mic gains alongside ANC.
Health and hearing features
AirPods Pro 3 extend Apple’s hearing toolkit. Hearing Protection expands regionally, while the Hearing Test remains available for at-home screening. Conversation Boost now engages automatically in loud spaces. These features build on last year’s hearing updates to AirPods.
When and how to buy
- Price: $249 in the U.S.
- Preorder: Opened September 9, 2025.
- In stores: September 19, 2025.
- Regions: Apple says more than 50 countries and regions on day one.
Check Apple’s store in your country for local pricing and bundles.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 at a glance
| Area | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 (2023 USB-C) |
| ANC | “World’s best” in-ear, up to 2x Pro 2 | Strong ANC, prior flagship |
| Battery | Up to 8h ANC, 10h Transparency | Lower in the same modes |
| Fit | New design, 5 tip sizes incl. XXS | Four sizes |
| Health | Heart rate sensing, Workout Buddy | Hearing features only |
| Translation | Live Translation (beta) | Not offered |
| Durability | IP57 | Lower resistance |
| Price (US) | $249 | Street prices vary |
Data for Pro 3 from Apple’s announcement, while Pro 2 is the outgoing model.
Real-world impact
- Travelers: Better ANC reduces cabin drone and chatter, while longer battery means fewer top-ups on long legs.
- Gym goers: Heart rate in the earbuds cuts gear clutter and logs workouts without a watch.
- Students and pros: Live Translation can help in meetings or travel, with transcripts on iPhone for clarity.
Key dates and availability
Quick buyer checklist
- Want stronger noise canceling and longer battery in earbuds you already like.
- Want heart rate tracking, but prefer buds over a watch or chest strap.
- Need translation help on trips or in mixed-language sessions.
- Prefer an in-ear fit with more tip sizes, including XXS.
Why it matters
AirPods remain a mass-market accessory. Adding health sensing and translation pushes earbuds beyond audio into daily tools for travel, workouts, and accessibility. It also pressures rivals to match ANC and health features at the same price.
Spec snapshot
| Category | AirPods Pro 3 highlights |
| Sensors | PPG heart rate, motion sensors |
| ANC | In-ear ANC, up to 2x Pro 2 effectiveness |
| Modes | Transparency with more natural voice rendering |
| Battery | Up to 8h ANC, up to 10h Transparency |
| Fit | Smaller body, 5 tip sizes with new XXS |
| Durability | IP57 sweat and water resistance |
| Features | Live Translation (beta), Workout Buddy |
| Price and dates | $249, preorder now, ships September 19, 2025 |
[Related: iPhone 17 vs 17 Air buyer’s guide → /guides/iphone-17-vs-17-air]
[Related: Best MagSafe battery packs for travel → /roundups/best-magsafe-battery-packs]
Sources:
- Apple Newsroom, “Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience,” September 9, 2025. Apple
- The Verge, “Apple announces AirPods Pro 3 with ‘world’s best ANC’ and heart rate sensing,” September 9, 2025. The Verge
- Reuters, “Apple holds down new iPhone prices… introduces AirPods Pro 3 with live translation,” September 9, 2025. Reuters
