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There's a lot to love about the Apple AirPods Pro 3

Siena Hocking

Updated February 18, 2026 - 12.14am

9PR: Apple AirPods Pro 3 review — 9Product Reviews

Apple has just launched a range of new gear, and part of this drop is the AirPods Pro 3. The launch is exciting as the Apple AirPods Pro 3 represent a significant iteration over previous versions, focusing on deeper integration into Apple's health and ecosystem features, alongside core performance improvements.

We've been lucky enough to test out a pair to see just how much the AirPods have levelled up – and whether they're worth the $429 price tag.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

On sale now!

Truthfully, the core audio experience is pretty wild:

Noise cancellation redefined: Apple boldly claims the ANC is up to 2x more effective than the already impressive AirPods Pro 2. This is achieved through refined internal acoustics, new ultra-low-noise microphones, and a design tweak: new foam-infused silicone ear tips. This combination creates a significantly deeper acoustic seal, making ambient office chatter or the roar of a plane nearly disappear. When using noise cancellation mode on the bus, they eradicated background rumbling, cars beeping, and school children shouting. When I take the AirPods out, my ears take a second or two to readjust to the re-entry of background noise.
Superior sound: Thanks to the new multiport acoustic architecture, the audio performance is noticeably richer. I immediately picked up on a cleaner, more defined sound.

Beyond audio, the Pro 3 introduce features that push the AirPods into new territory:

The wearable fitness tracker: The inclusion of a custom heart rate sensor is the major headline. This allows users to track their pulse and record over 50 different workout types directly in the Fitness app, untethering a basic workout from the need for an Apple Watch.
Real-time live translation: This new feature had me gobsmacked. A dedicated, simultaneous live translation feature can now be instantly triggered via a long-press gesture. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the earbuds function as an on-the-go interpreter for English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Later this year, Live Translation on AirPods will add language support for Chinese (Mandarin, simplified), Chinese (Mandarin, traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian. Duolingo, who?
Reliability: For the active user, the durability rating has been significantly upgraded from the splash-proof IP54 to a robust IP57 rating. This makes both the earbuds and the case fully dust-resistant and capable of handling significant water exposure, so you don't have to worry about causing sweat, rain, or puddle-related damage. Phew.
Refinements: The overall fit is refined with the inclusion of a new XXS eartip size, ensuring a secure and optimised seal for a wider range of users.

Overall:

The price, $429, feels very reasonable for such a brilliant piece of tech. They're certainly a cut above the previous AirPods, but the price doesn't follow such a markup. Great news.
As someone who appreciates adaptive audio, transparency mode and strong noise cancellation, as well as the additional fitness features, I would gladly spend my own money on these as an investment piece.