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.
Apple kept the retail price at $249 (and is on sale right now.)
AirPods Pro 3's leading feature is active noise cancellation that now rivals over-the-ear headphones. $219.99 at Amazon $219.99 at Best Buy more buying choices
What's the deal: Amazon is currently selling the AirPods Pro 3 for $30 off, marking its first discount since release.
Apple has taken what is arguably one of its most iconic and widely acclaimed products -- the AirPods Pro 2 -- and elevated them with a significant upgrade for 2025. Since the product has a simple mission and it didn't appear that there were a ton of things Apple could do to make them better, it's always a risk to make big changes.
And make no mistake, there are major changes in the AirPods Pro 3.
Also: Best AirPods 2025: I've used every pair of Apple headphones and earbuds - these are the winners
I've been using them for more than a month since they was first announced in September. And I'm happy -- even a little relieved -- to report that Apple didn't ruin a good thing here. In fact, there's one area where I didn't realize it was even possible to make them better, but they are. Additionally, there are new features that enhance the product's usability. Of course, there are also a couple gaps and blind spots, and we'll talk about those, too.
But if you've had a pair of AirPods or AirPods Pro in the past and loved them, the good news is there's a great chance you're going to love the AirPods Pro 3 even more.
How I tested AirPods Pro 3
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