AirPods Pro 3 Review: Almost the same look, but much better sound

The AirPods Pro 3 looks a lot like the previous version from the outside, but a lot has changed inside. You can read what exactly is different in our AirPods Pro 3-review!

AirPods Pro 3 Review: Almost the same look, but much better sound

The AirPods Pro 3 is the successor of the wildly popular AirPods Pro 2. At first glance, the earbuds look almost the same from the outside, but once you have them in your ears, you soon notice that there are a lot of improvements.

In this review we tell you exactly what the most important upgrades are and we tell you whether you should buy these new earplugs!

Better sound quality, noise canceling and transparency

To fall immediately with the door: the most important improvements can be found in sound quality and noise canceling. We have the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the AirPods Pro 2 and the sound of the new ears is simply better. The bass is more powerful, the midtones are clearer and even the high tones sound a bit more pleasant.

This is partly due to the new silicone caps (you now get five sets) and the new shape of the AirPods. But Apple has also tinker with the software side. We have to admit that you belong a bit better for the improvements with some songs than others. Especially music with a lot of bass sounds better.

The other major improvement is the noise reduction (or noise canceling). According to Apple, it is twice better than the AirPods Pro 2. Well that does not say that much, but suppressing background noises can certainly be better than the AirPods Pro 2. Whether it is twice aside? Maybe, but during a train ride it was really a lot quieter with noise reduction compared to the AirPods Pro 2.

This is probably due to a combination of the new silicone earplugs and improved software. But the new microphone also helps, because Apple has also implemented some improvements there.

You can notice the improved sound quality of the microphone during a facetime conversation. Your voice sounds a bit more natural with the AirPods Pro 3. Some disadvantage: with a lot of background noise, the microphone can still distort your voice.

Then there is the transparency mode. This allows you to have a conversation with someone while you have the noise reduction. At the AirPods Pro 2, the voice of your conversation partner sounded just a bit ‘too digital’. But with the Pro 3, voices are now more natural and clearer. You hardly hear any difference with the real voice.

Charging box and fit

The charging box has also received an upgrade. The box has become slightly larger. In addition, the button on the back is gone, and the LED on the front is touch sensitive (just like with the AirPods 4).

The fit has also improved. At the AirPods Pro 2 it sometimes happened that the ears sat down in your ear over time. If you were not careful then they even fell out of your ear. This also happened when you used the perfectly fitting silicone caps.

With the AirPods Pro 3 that is at least a lot less. The ears stay in your ears better. This is due to the improved shape of the AirPods and the better silicone earplugs. The AirPods Pro 3 ‘fall’ a little more in your ear. They stand out a little more than the previous version, but are also really nicer.

Apple has now used a kind of foam, so that they fit better in your ears. And another advantage is that the noise reduction also works better if your ear is well closed.

Battery charge: you can listen for that long

The AirPods Pro 2 had been able to last for quite a long time with one battery charge. But the AirPods Pro 3 add a little extra. With active noise reduction you can enjoy your music, podcasts or a wonderful audio book for up to 8 hours.

It is a pity that you can no longer charge them with the battery that is in the box. With the AirPods Pro 2 you could listen to music for up to 30 hours with a full charging case, but with AirPods Pro 3 that has only been 24 hours.

Search carefully

The ‘accurate search’ function is also nice. This allows you to find your AirPods even more easily via the app search my. Handy if you have forgotten where you left them again. Or if you have a cat who is only too happy to steal your AirPods to lie on it.

New functions: heart rate monitor, live translate and IP 57

In addition to the improved sound quality and ANC, the AirPods Pro 3 have a few extra gadgets that make them even better. A striking addition is the built -in heart rate monitor. That is especially useful if you wear them during exercise (and do not yet have Apple Watch). The heart rate monitor in the AirPods is also useful if you have tattoos on your arm, because then the heart rate monitor of the Apple Watch does not work completely well.

In addition, there is the new live translation function, which makes it possible to translate conversations into real-time. However, this function is currently not available in the EU because of the legislation. We think that this option will later become available in the Netherlands, among others. So just patience!

Incidentally, this function is not exclusively for the AirPods Pro 3, because it also comes to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. You also have to have an iPhone that has support for Apple Intelligence.

In addition, the AirPods Pro 3 are now IP 57 certified. With the previous model this was still IP54. This makes them a lot more resistant to water (and sweat). Exercising in the rain is certainly no longer a problem and they can even survive a fall in the water to a maximum of 1 meter. But swimming with your AirPods? Nah! You shouldn’t do that.

Conclusion AirPods Pro 3-Review

The AirPods Pro 3 have undoubtedly become a cool upgrade. The sound quality is better, the active noise reduction is more effective and the new functions make the earbuds even more versatile. Whether you are a music lover, often travel or are simply looking for the best earbuds: the AirPods Pro 3 are currently the best earplugs there are (for iPhone users).

Yet there are also some downsides that we cannot ignore. The battery in the charging box is less good than that of the AirPods Pro 2. In addition, you no longer get a USB-C cable. The lack of certain functions in the EU is also a pity, but they will probably be available in the future.

Do you have AirPods Pro 1? Then the AirPods Pro 3 are a huge improvement and definitely worth the switch. But even for AirPods Pro 2 owners, the new ears are actually also a reason to be in the pouch. Especially if you have bought the AirPods Pro 2 during the product lunch and they use them daily, the batteries are getting worse. If you add the improvements in the sound quality, the microphone and the noise reduction, the AirPods Pro 3 are definitely recommended.

Buy AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 have a suggested retail price of 249 euros and have been in stores since 19 September. Do you want to buy the AirPods Pro 3 after reading this review? Then check the deals below for the best prices!

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