Every couple of years, Apple gives us a new set of AirPods Pro, and the question is always the same: is this an essential upgrade, or just a minor tweak? Well, after watching today’s “Awe Dropping” event, I can tell you the new AirPods Pro 3 aren’t just a tweak. Apple just gave their most popular headphones a whole new set of superpowers, moving them from a great audio accessory to something that feels genuinely futuristic.
The Silence is Finally Golden
Let’s start with the basics, because Apple nailed them. My biggest gripe with even the best earbuds is that the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is never quite enough for a roaring plane engine or a truly chaotic subway car. While the AirPods Pro 2 were a solid improvement over the originals, brands like Bose and Sony have often held the crown for pure, undisputed silence.
Apple seems to have taken that personally. They’re claiming the AirPods Pro 3 have twice the ANC performance of the last generation. If you’re upgrading from the original Pros, they’re saying it’s four times more effective. That’s a bold claim, and if it holds up, it means Apple may have just retaken the throne. This isn’t just about making your music sound better; it’s about buying yourself a pocket of quiet wherever you go.
Live Translation
Here’s the feature that made my jaw drop. We’ve seen other companies, like Google with their Pixel Buds, attempt real-time translation before. It was always a cool tech demo that felt a bit clunky in the real world. You’d hold up your phone, things would lag, and the conversation would feel… awkward.
Apple’s new Live Translation looks different. Powered by Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, Apple’s event demo showed a seamless experience where you can listen to someone speaking another language and hear the translation directly in your ear, in real-time. The system is even smart enough to lower the volume of the person speaking so you can focus on the translated words. For anyone who travels for work or pleasure, this could move from a sci-fi dream to an indispensable tool. The real test will be how it handles regional accents and fast talkers, but if it works even 80% as well as the demo, it’s a game-changer.
Now its also a Fitness tracker
For years, other brands like Anker and Jabra have tried putting heart rate sensors in earbuds, but it never really caught on. It always felt a bit disconnected. By building a tiny heart rate sensor into the AirPods Pro 3 and integrating it directly into the Apple Fitness ecosystem, Apple might be the company to finally make it stick.
Think about it: you head out for a run and want to leave your watch at home. Now, you can. The AirPods will track your heart rate and calories, and your workout will still count toward closing your Move ring. It’s a brilliant way to add value for the millions of people who already work out with their AirPods. It won’t replace a dedicated sports watch for serious athletes, but for casual fitness, it’s an incredible convenience.
With a more secure fit, a much-needed jump to IP57 sweat and water resistance, and a solid 8 hours of battery life with ANC, the spec sheet is impressive. At $249, the price hasn’t changed, which is honestly a relief given the new tech inside.
If you’re still using the original AirPods Pro, this is the easiest upgrade decision you’ll make all year. The jump in ANC and the new features are monumental. For AirPods Pro 2 owners, it’s a tougher call, but if the idea of a personal translator or a built-in heart rate monitor excites you, Apple is making a very compelling case. Pre-orders are live today for a September 19th release.
