Hands-on Review: Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 arrive as a comprehensive reimagining of the world's most popular in-ear headphones - merging premium sound, workout-ready features, and a touch of AI-powered intelligence.

From their redesigned fit to all-new heart-rate sensing and Live Translation capabilities, these third-generation Pros are as much about health and communication as they are about music.

Impressive design and fit

At first glance, the AirPods Pro 3 looked just like their predecessors - but once I put them in, I immediately noticed the difference.

Apple's deep dive into over 10,000 ear scans and 100,000 hours of testing has clearly paid off.

The shape feels more stable and natural in my ears, almost as if they were molded specifically for me. The new foam-infused ear tips (now available in five sizes, including a welcome XXS) gave me a snug, secure fit that stayed put whether I was walking, working out, or just moving around the house.

And with an IP57 rating, I didn't worry for a second about rain, sweat, or dust - these buds are clearly built for real life, not just the showroom.

Sound quality & noise cancellation

I've always appreciated Apple's audio quality, but the Pro 3 took it up a notch. The multiport acoustic design really does make the bass feel deeper and more controlled. I noticed a richer, more expansive soundstage - like I was in the middle of the music, not just listening to it.

The Adaptive EQ genuinely impressed me.

It adjusted to the unique shape of my ears in real time, and the result was music that felt clearer and more tailored - like I had a mini sound engineer working behind the scenes.

Noise cancellation? Honestly, it's the best I've ever experienced in a pair of earbuds. Apple claims it's twice as effective as the AirPods Pro 2, and it shows. On a crowded flight, the roar of the engine disappeared. In a noisy café, I was wrapped in silence without losing the detail in my music or podcasts.

Transparency Mode felt more natural too. I could hear people speaking around me without the harsh edge that some transparency modes give. And Conversation Awareness - where the music dips automatically when I start speaking - quickly became one of those little features I didn't know I needed, but now can't live without.

Fitness & health

What really blew me away was the addition of heart-rate sensing.

I was skeptical at first - how accurate could an earbud really be? But the new PPG sensor measures blood flow changes with infrared light 256 times per second. Paired with motion sensors and GPS, it gave me impressively accurate real-time tracking during workouts.

Whether I was going for a run or doing yoga, the Fitness app tracked my effort, heart rate, and calorie burn without needing an Apple Watch. And the new AI-powered "Workout Buddy" was a pleasant surprise - its voice feedback was just the right balance of encouraging and informative, without sounding robotic.

If you have an Apple Watch, which is already collecting your heart-rate, your devices will choose the best feed of data and use that stream.

Live translation 

One of the most futuristic (and genuinely useful) features is Live Translation. I tested it over coffee with a French-speaking friend. He held my iPhone and I used my AirPods, for an exceptionally smooth conversation.

Once language packs were downloaded, I could hear translations in real time, and when both of us wore AirPods, the conversation flowed naturally, with each of us hearing our own language. It's still in beta, but it's easy to see how powerful this could become for travel or international work.

Right now there is a limited number of languages English (UK, US), French (France), German (Germany), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). Later this year support for Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian will be added.

Hearing health & accessibility

Apple continues to impress with its commitment to accessibility. In Transparency mode, the battery now lasts 67% longer - great for those using them as hearing aids throughout the day.

The Loud Sound Reduction feature is subtle but effective, protecting my ears from sudden spikes in volume while preserving the clarity of what I was hearing. And when I was in a loud environment, Conversation Boost made it easier to follow voices without having to crank up the volume.

Battery life & extras

Battery life got a serious upgrade - up to 8 hours with ANC, and up to 10 hours in Transparency mode. Just 5 minutes in the case gave me about an hour of listening, which saved me more than once on a busy day.

The new MagSafe case has an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip, making "Find My" more precise - I tested this by leaving it under the couch, and the iPhone guided me straight to it.

There are also a few delightful bonuses: I could trigger my iPhone's camera remotely by tapping the AirPods stem, and Audio Sharing was seamless. Even Siri felt more responsive thanks to adaptive head gestures.

Sustainability becomes greener and cleaner

Apple's sustainability efforts are on full display here. These are the most eco-conscious AirPods yet, using 40% recycled materials by weight, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. The packaging is all fiber-based and feels compact and premium. It's good to know that tech this advanced can still be responsible.

What is my final verdict?

For me, the AirPods Pro 3 aren't just earbuds - they're an intelligent, fitness-ready, travel-savvy companion that fits beautifully into the Apple ecosystem.

At AU $429 or NZ$479, they're definitely an investment, but considering the blend of premium audio, AI features, health tracking, and accessibility tools, it's one that feels well justified.

If you're already deep in the Apple ecosystem - these are the most capable, comfortable, and forward-thinking AirPods yet. And from personal experience, they've already become an indispensable part of my day.