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AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 1: What’s new after two generations?

AirPods Pro 3 are set to launch in just two days, and they’re a rather notable upgrade – even if you’re coming from the previous-generation AirPods Pro 2. But, if you skipped that upgrade – AirPods Pro 3 are a massive leap for a plethora of reasons. Here’s exactly what you gain after 6 years of upgrades. Better noise cancellation This is the easiest thing to point out, especially since Apple themselves highlighted it in the keynote. Compared to the original AirPods Pro, noise cancellation perf

This AirPods Pro 3 feature is only available on iPhone 17 and Air

AirPods Pro 3 will ship to users this Friday, September 19. And while they should prove a fantastic upgrade for everyone (read our full review here), it seems one new feature will be exclusive to iPhone 17 and iPhone Air owners. Improved Precision Finding is exclusive to iPhone 17 and Air Do you ever lose your AirPods? Apple knows a lot of people do, so it’s upgraded the AirPods Pro 3 charging case to make it easier to find. From Apple’s website: Easily locate the exact place you left your A

Here’s Apple’s advice for getting the best fit for your AirPods Pro 3

The new AirPods Pro 3 comes with silicone foam ear tips which differ from those used in previous models, and 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller said in his review that they offer “a noticeable improvement in fit.” Apple has now offered its advice on getting the best fit with the new ear tips, applying both subjective and objective tests … Even if you’re a seasoned AirPods Pro user, you may still need to adopt a different ear tips size this time. That’s because the company told us that users have tended t

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AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester - here's what he found

Zooey Liao/ZDNET/Apple Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways A known triathlete and blogger tried out the AirPods Pro 3. He tested the heart rate sensor while bicycling indoors and outdoors. The heart rate sensor got a thumbs up for its accuracy. Wondering if you should buy Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 for the health and fitness features alone? At least one expert is impressed by the accuracy of the heart rate sensor, which is new to the AirPods lineup.

The Morning After: The verdict on AirPods Pro 3

Apple’s third-gen pro earbuds make a very strong case for upgrading. Alongside all those iPhones and Watches, Apple revealed the AirPods Pro 3, packing in major new features, like live translation and heart-rate sensing, all while tangibly boosting active noise cancellation (ANC). Those ANC upgrades? Ultra-low-noise microphones combine with advanced computational audio to silence even more noise, while new foam-infused ear tips play a major role here too, since they offer increased passive nois

iOS 26 Just Gave Your AirPods a Bunch of Free Upgrades

Apple’s iOS 26 is finally out, and with its release, there’s a lot to officially unpack (sorry, beta features don’t count). Naturally, most of the new stuff pertains to your iPhone; you’ve got Visual Intelligence, which allows AI to both see and interact with your screen; Live Translation in the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps; and a new, streamlined Camera app that should make it easier to switch between video and still photo modes. But it’s not all about the iPhone. Buried in all those fea

AirPods just got these brand new features in iOS 26

iOS 26 is a major update for iPhone users, but it comes with a variety of new features for AirPods users too—especially anyone with AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, or the new AirPods Pro 3. Here are the upgrades coming to AirPods users who update to iOS 26. iOS 26 brings up to seven new AirPods features, depending on your model Every year, Apple introduces new features for AirPods users via firmware updates. This year is no exception. Alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and more, Apple is rol

AirPods Pro 3 Review: Skating to Where the Puck Is Going, Not Where It Has Been

2025 Almost three years after Apple introduced the original AirPods Pro 2 (updated with USB-C in 2023) with category-defining sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC), I can safely say that just about every company making ANC wireless earbuds has caught up or surpassed them, and often with buds that are sold for less than $250. Basic wireless earbuds features—good audio, good ANC, and good battery life—are table stakes, and each of these is improved on AirPods Pro 3. Apple’s third-gen

My Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Big Improvements, Same Price, No Compromises

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 9.2 / 10 SCORE Apple AirPod Pro 3 $249 at Apple Pros Design upgrades to the buds and ear tips improve their fit Noise cancellation has been upgraded and is now top-notch They sound better with improved bass response and more clarity Built-in heart-rate monitoring with new sensors Excellent voice-calling performance (upgraded microphones) Battery life

AirPods Pro 3 review: The best get even better

AirPods Pro are the quintessential Apple product, combining excellent design and functionality with superb ecosystem integration. Last week, Apple introduced AirPods Pro 3, the second major revision since the product line debuted in 2019. I’ve been using AirPods Pro 3 since that announcement, and they feel like a turning point. Here’s why. Comfort and fit Apple says AirPods Pro 3 feature a new in-ear design that “fits more people than ever.” The company says it utilized “over 10,000 ear scans

AirPods Pro 3 review: A significant update to Apple’s best earbuds

If you’re not already wearing a pair of AirPods all day, Apple’s latest suite of features may convince you to do so. The company’s latest model, the AirPods Pro 3 ($249), is Apple’s most comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds. Flashy new features like Live Translation and heart-rate sensing will garner the bulk of the attention, but upgrades to active noise cancellation (ANC) and a significant boost in sound quality shouldn’t be overlooked. And with a notable improvement in battery life

AirPods Pro 3 review: Apple pulled off something I thought impossible in a pair of earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 3 ZDNET's key takeaways The AirPods Pro 3 bring several design updates and a bunch of new or upgraded capabilities to a product that was already among the best Apple kept the retail price at $249, and this product tends to get discounted during holiday sales. AirPods Pro 3's leading feature is active noise cancellation that now rivals over-the-ear headphones, which surprised me in real-world testing. $249 at B&H Photo-Video Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Googl

AirPods Pro 3 review: tripling down on a good thing

is a senior reporter and author of the Optimizer newsletter.She has more than 13 years of experience reporting on wearables, health tech, and more. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. The AirPods Pro are about as ubiquitous as earbuds can get. Step outside your door, and you’re almost certain to see people wearing them. For good reason, too. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) is excellent for the price, sound quality is great, and they’re comfortable and conveni

This new AirPods Pro feature makes me question why I still wear an Apple Watch

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. The AirPods Pro 3 are confirmed to feature in-ear heart rate sensing. Alongside iOS 26 updates to the iPhone's Fitness app, users can now start a workout session in the app and use the Pro 3 earbuds to track heart rate, time spent exercising, and calories burned. They can close their Move ring, and earn rewards in the app -- no Watch needed. Also: Is Apple Watch Series 11 worth the upgrade? Here's how it compares to olde

The AirPods Pro 3 Will Detect Your Heart Rate During a Workout, Apple Watch Not Required

The new AirPods Pro 3 were unveiled during Apple's iPhone 17 event Tuesday. The latest version of the Pro earpods has improved noise cancellation, can translate languages in real time, has better and clearer sound quality, and water resistance, so it can handle your sweatiest workouts. But the AirPods Pro 3's newest standout feature is its ability to read your heart rate using a small sensor implanted in the earpiece. That means during your daily walks or workouts, your AirPods will be able to

AirPods Pro 3 have a special new ability from an upcoming Apple product

Earlier this week, Apple introduced a new version of its most popular wireless earbuds: AirPods Pro 3. While you’ve likely heard of its headlining features like the heart rate monitor and 2x the noise cancellation, there’s another interesting feature beneath the surface. With AirPods Pro 2, Apple introduced a long-requested feature: the ability to track the case location on Find My. Prior to these AirPods, if your AirPods weren’t in the case – you couldn’t find them. Now, you can, thanks to App

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AirPods Pro 3 will be available in under a week, but don’t rush into buying them

On Tuesday, Apple held its ‘Awe dropping’ September event – where it announced new iPhone and Apple Watch models, as per usual. It also dropped a new pair of AirPods Pro 3 – which do look quite exciting. That said, if you are going to buy them – you should make sure you’re buying them for the right reasons. Let’s explain. Live Translation One of the headlining features with AirPods Pro 3 – its live translation feature, isn’t actually exclusive. In fact, it’ll work with a couple pairs of older

I tried Apple's 2 big AI features announced at the iPhone 17 event - and both are game changers

Jason Hiner/ZDNET While we didn't hear much about Siri or Apple Intelligence during the 2025 Apple Event that launched new iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches, there were two huge AI features announced that have largely slipped under the radar. That's mostly because they were presented as great new features and didn't use overhyped AI marketing language. Nevertheless, I got to demo both features at Apple Park on Tuesday and my first impression was that both of them are nearly fully baked and r

Apple, Google and Meta are trying to perfect a science-fiction gadget: The universal translator

Apple AirPods Pro 3 models are displayed during Apple's "Awe-Dropping" event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9, 2025. Nic Coury | AFP | Getty Images For decades, shows like "Star Trek" and novels like "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" have showcased fictional universal translators, capable of seamlessly converting any language into English and vice versa. Now, those gadgets once limited to works of science fiction are inching close to re

The Morning After: HBO Max is going to get more expensive

As is often the case, the tech news tide is out after Apple’s iPhone 17 event. (Did we do a dedicated newsletter on all the announcements? Yes, yes we did.) Before the weekend, though, there’s still more to read about. But let’s start with the not-great tech news. David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, plans to make HBO more expensive and passwords a lot harder to share. These were part of his comments at a Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, which sounds awful. The main

AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: I compared both earbuds, here's who should upgrade

Jada Jones and Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are officially here, and they debut with upgrades like subtle design changes, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life. The AirPods Pro 3's most significant upgrade, however, is their onboard heart rate sensor, a welcomed feature for people who like to wear AirPods while they exercise. If you have AirPods Pro 2, they're anywhere from two to three years old, depending on th

Your AirPods are getting a major audio upgrade for free - thanks to iOS 26

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Live Translation translates a conversation through your AirPods. It's available with AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4 with ANC. It requires iOS 26 and an iPhone with Apple Intelligence. One exciting feature that Apple touted at its iPhone 17 event on Sept. 9 was live translation for the new AirPods Pro 3. With this skill, you can hear words in another language translated into your own native t

AirPods Pro 3 Hands-On: All the Upgrades Seem to Check Out (So Far)

Whereas the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, and Watch Ultra 3 are pretty much internal spec bumps compared to the previous generations of those respective smartwatches, the AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds are actually reengineered inside and out, but you’ll have to look closely to spot the changes. The charging case also ditches its physical pairing button. After Tuesday’s “Awe Dropping” Apple Event, where Tim Cook and company announced the remarkably thin iPhone Air, feature-stuffed iPhone 17 Pros

The AirPods Pro 3's heart rate sensor won't replace my Apple Watch - here's why

Matthew Miller/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways The AirPods Pro 3 can measure your heart rate during a workout. The Apple Watch offers a variety of other health-related tools. I'll buy the AirPods Pro 3, but the Apple Watch is my go-to device. I've used an Apple Watch for years and have always found it a helpful and convenient device. I especially like the health-related features, most notably the heart rate monitor that can not only measure

AirPods live translation blocked for EU users with EU Apple accounts

Apple's new Live Translation feature for AirPods will be off-limits to millions of European users when it arrives next week, with strict EU regulations likely holding back its rollout. Apple says on its feature availability webpage that "Apple Intelligence: Live Translation with AirPods" won't be available if both the user is physically in the EU and their Apple Account region is in the EU. Apple doesn't give a reason for the restriction, but legal and regulatory pressures seem the most plaus

Live Translation isn't just for AirPods Pro 3 - check if yours are compatible

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Live Translation translates a conversation through your AirPods. It's available with AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4 with ANC. It requires iOS 26 and an iPhone with Apple Intelligence. One exciting feature that Apple touted at its iPhone 17 event on Sept. 9 was live translation for the new AirPods Pro 3. With this skill, you can hear words in another language translated into your own native t

Apple's Live Translation Tool Won't Be Available to EU-Based AirPods Owners

Apple's new Live Translation tool for AirPods was one of many announcements that piqued our excitement during the iPhone 17 launch event earlier this week. But if you're based in the EU, you should temper your expectations about its imminent availability. It seems that European users, despite living in a region of rich linguistic diversity, will not have access to this feature. According to Apple's feature accessibility listings, first spotted by MacRumors: "Live Translation with AirPods is not

There’s bad news for AirPods Live Translation in EU countries

We first spotted that AirPods Live translation was coming a month before the announcement. Initial language support is listed as English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish – with four more languages coming later this year. But while European languages are supported, you won’t necessarily be able to take advantage of that if you are within one of the countries in which they’re spoken … We’d already seen some mixed news. On the plus side, the feature isn’t exclusive to the new Air

Live Translation with AirPods won't come to EU-based Apple users

Europe, the bloc with 24 official languages and 287 spoken in total, won't get Apple's Live Translation with AirPods feature for now. "Live Translation with AirPods is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple Account Country or Region is also in the EU," the company said on its iOS feature availability page. No reason was given, but it may have to do with the EU's strict rules around artificial intelligence and how it impacts privacy. If that's the case, Apple may be waiting for the EU

Apple’s new live translation feature for AirPods won’t be available in the EU at launch

In Brief One of the headlining features of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 was the ability to translate incoming audio in real time, but it seems the feature won’t work in the European Union at launch. On its official page detailing the features available on iOS 26, the company said EU residents or those with EU Apple IDs won’t be able to use live translation, which is powered by Apple Intelligence and will also be coming to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2. This is likely due to the EU’s stringent rule