Apple AirPods Pro 3 Unveiled: Advanced ANC, Heart Rate Tracking, Fitness Features, And AI Tools

Apple has officially introduced the AirPods Pro 3, its third-generation premium wireless earbuds, debuting exactly three years after the AirPods Pro 2. While the design remains nearly identical to the previous model, several internal upgrades promise meaningful improvements for users.

The most significant enhancement comes in Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 offer noise reduction that is four times more effective than the original AirPods Pro, and twice as powerful as the second generation. This improvement is supported by redesigned ear tips available in five sizes, now featuring foam for added structure and comfort. The addition of smaller sizes also ensures a better fit for users with narrower ear canals.

Audio performance benefits from a multiport acoustic architecture, which improves airflow, enhances bass response, and expands the soundstage through an updated Adaptive EQ. The Transparency Mode has also been refined to personalize sound based on the user’s own voice and the voices of those around them.

A major new feature is the inclusion of heart rate monitoring, a first for the AirPods line. Each earbud houses custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, which pulse 256 times per second to measure blood flow in the ear. This enables users to track heart rate and calories burned across 50 workout types, even without an Apple Watch, as long as their iPhone is nearby. For Apple Fitness+ subscribers, workout metrics will display directly on screen, mirroring the Apple Watch experience.

To complement fitness tracking, the AirPods Pro 3 include IP57 water and sweat resistance, making them suitable for exercise. They also integrate with Workout Buddy, an Apple Intelligence feature providing personalized motivational feedback.

Beyond fitness, Apple is extending the earbuds’ capabilities with Apple Intelligence features, such as Live Translation. Currently available in beta, this tool delivers real-time translations directly into the user’s ears, with text simultaneously displayed on the iPhone screen.

Despite these advancements, the external design of the AirPods Pro 3 remains familiar, preserving the compact form factor and white finish. The upgrades focus primarily on sound, comfort, health, and smart functionality.

The AirPods Pro 3 will retail for $249, with preorders starting on September 9 and official availability beginning September 19, 2025.

Filed in Apple >Audio. Read more about Apple and Bluetooth Headphones.