The AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to be announced at the upcoming Apple Awe Dropping event, alongside the new iPhone 17 models and some fresh Apple Watches.
The new AirPods are pegged to launch with some big updates to the old model, but that leaves one key question: How are they going to differ from the AirPods 4 with ANC? Apple's cheaper noise-canceling buds are a popular option for iPhone users looking for the best wireless earbuds, but the AirPods Pro 3 might be the better bet.
What are the expected differences between the two models of Apple's earbuds, and why should you perhaps wait for the next version of the AirPods Pro before you drop some cash? Here's everything we expect to see on the new AirPods Pro model.
1. Massively improved ANC
The AirPods 4 with ANC were something of a novelty. The ANC was okay if you just wanted to block out the sound of the air conditioning at the office, but not particularly strong if you wanted a silent commute.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the sequel to the AirPods Pro 2, a pair of earbuds that once sat at the top of our best noise-canceling earbuds buying guide. Thanks to the rumored new H3 chip inside the AirPods Pro 3, the ANC is likely to be even better so that it can do battle with the current ANC champions, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
If you're looking for some earbuds with much better ANC, then the AirPods Pro 3 look well worth waiting (and saving up) for.
2. A different fit
The AirPods 4 introduced a new design for the base model AirPods when they launched, but they still miss the silicon tips of the Pro line. The AirPods Pro 3 look like they might shake things up even more with a potential redesign to the established AirPods Pro formula.
There are still likely to have all-important sealing silicon tips, but the stems could be shorter than the Pro 2. Some design changes from the AirPods 4 might also come to the AirPods Pro 3 case.
A noted leaker, Asher, took to X to reveal what could be the new AirPods Pro 3 case, and it might feature the AirPods 4's touch-sensitive pairing button.
New info on AirPods Pro 3…The case size will decrease slightly, and the pairing button will be removed. Instead, you can tap on the case itself. pic.twitter.com/vA7dY2Pa4jAugust 26, 2025
Some reports indicate that you'll be able to control music playback with the case, although they're worth taking with a pinch of salt. Leaker MajinBu's track record is changeable, with more misses than hits. Still, it's an interesting thought, and something the AirPods 4 don't do.
3. Better sound
Unfortunately, the AirPods 4 aren't known for amazing sound: They don't sound bad, but they don't stand up to similarly priced competition in the audio department.
The AirPods Pro 3 are likely to be different.
The AirPods Pro 2 were some of the best-sounding earbuds of their day, and it's likely the AirPods Pro 3 are going to be a step up again so that they can stand up to scrutiny. The competition is strong in the Sony WF-1000XM5, so Apple's next buds have their work cut out for them.
4. Loads of health features
The AirPods 4 with ANC have... noise canceling. Spatial Audio is there as well, but they're otherwise thin on the ground specs-wise. The AirPods Pro 2 step up the game with hearing health features, which can make the earbuds into FDA-approved hearing aids.
The AirPods Pro 3 could up the ante again with even more health features. I've seen rumors that they could get the heart rate monitor from the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2, and some even speculate they're going to get a temperature sensor to help track extra health metrics.
5. More battery
Even if the AirPods Pro 3 don't step up the battery life of the previous model, they'll likely have more staying power than the AirPods 4. Those buds only featured a maximum of 5 hours, as opposed to the 6 hours of the Pro.
It would be nice to see more battery life out of the AirPods Pro 3, of course. The Sony WF-1000XM5 have 7.5 hours of battery, so an improvement to Apple's buds would be welcome.
AirPods Pro 3 — better bet than AirPods 4?
As always, I have to caveat everything on this page with a very clear "this is all based on rumor and speculation, the AirPods Pro 3 might not look anything like this at all."
Still, you can expect to see an obvious boost in performance from the AirPods Pro 3 if/when those get announced.
The AirPods 4 are for people who want a pair of AirPods and don't want to spend the money for the AirPods Pro. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro are the premium pair for those who want good earbuds that happen to be AirPods.
I'd recommend two things. First, wait and see what the AirPods Pro 3 bring, and whether they're the massive step up over the Pro 2 we're hoping for. If they're not, save some money and buy an older and likely discounted pair of AirPods Pro 2.
Second, save the extra for the Pro model and skip the AirPods 4. Or, even better, save some money and grab some of the best cheap wireless earbuds instead.
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