GoKawiilApple released the AirPods Pro 3 back in September of 2025. I have been living with them and using them every single day since then. I have used them for everything from workouts and runs to Zoom calls, travel, and just everyday listening. What has truly stood out to me isn’t how good they sound for the size, or how they are just about as good as their $550 AirPods Max 2 counterpart, but how Apple has actually improved them over the last 7ish months of owning them. Here is how they have held up, how they’ve improved, and what Apple can still add to them.
Be sure to check out my hands-on review of the AirPods Pro 3. I talk about my experience with them over the last seven months and how I think Apple will turn these AirPods into the Apple Intelligence product.
Design & battery
The design of the AirPods Pro 3 is nearly identical to the AirPods Pro 2, but Apple made subtle changes to accommodate the new earbuds. The earbuds are a bit smaller overall, and the case is a bit smaller as well. It still looks and feels the same, and you can only tell the difference if you have them side by side but here are some of the specs you should know.
Up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation
Up to 24 hours total battery life with the charging case
IP57 rating for sweat, water, and dust resistance
rating for sweat, water, and dust resistance USB-C, MagSafe, and Apple Watch charger support
5-minute quick charge = 1 hour of playback
Removed physical pairing button
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