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 with more than 100,000 hours of user research.” I’m only one person with two ears, but I can confidently say that the new in-ear design offers a noticeable improvement in fit.
AirPods Pro 3 (left) vs AirPods Pro 2 (right)
There are a few changes to the physical structure of AirPods Pro 3 that enable this improved fit. First, the shape has slightly changed such that it’s angled more like the natural geometry of the ear canal. For me, this means AirPods Pro 3 sit at more of an angle in my ear than before, with the stem angled more forward instead of downward.
Second, Apple says AirPods Pro 3 ear tips are foam-infused for the first time.
Aftermarket foam tips have existed for years as a popular way for users who weren’t totally satisfied with the fit of AirPods Pro. Comply is probably the most well-known brand in this category, and I’ve tried their foam tips a few times over the years, but always found them to be a bit too rigid. It felt like they never fully conformed to the shape of my ears.
AirPods Pro 3 (left) vs AirPods Pro 2 (right)
The difference between aftermarket foam tips and Apple’s new foam-infused AirPods Pro 3 tips is that Apple has struck a balance somewhere in the middle. The ear tips are foam-infused but wrapped in silicone, making them easy to wipe clean while still providing a firmer base that keeps each bud secure.
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