The AirPods Pro 3 launched to thunderous applause during the iPhone 17 Awe Dropping event, each new feature and update making them sound like my next pair of AirPods.
The AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, have been a staple in the best wireless earbuds list for around three years at this point. Good ANC, solid sound and a comfortable fit; but is it worth upgrading to the new version?
I've put the specs of the two pairs of earbuds head-to-head to find out whether you should upgrade your old AirPods.
The outgoing model of Apple's earbuds feature solid battery life, a comfortable fit, and the signature connectivity among Apple devices. Should you ditch them for the latest model, however?
The AirPods Pro 3 have launched, and Apple has packed them full of updates and new features. Better sound, a new fit, and even superior battery life is on the docket. They even cost the same as the old model — but should you upgrade your old pair to the latest mode?
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Price and availability
The AirPods Pro 3 are being released on September 19, although you can preorder them now from the Apple Store. Magically, they're going to cost the same as the AirPods Pro 2 at full price — $249.
The AirPods Pro 2 are available for the same $249 price, although you can no longer buy a pair from the Apple Store. However, you can buy them from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. They're often available with sale prices as well, so you'll pay as little as $170 for a pair.
While it's great that the AirPods Pro 3 are available for a similar price to the AirPods Pro 2, you can't get them at the same deal prices as the old model.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Design
The AirPods Pro have been on a diet. The AirPods Pro 3 are completely redesigned over the AirPods Pro 2, and feature a much smaller footprint than the larger old model. This includes new fitting silicon tips, shorter stems, and a differently shaped audio aperture.
That's going to improve fit and make them more secure and comfortable. It doesn't, however, seem to have transferred over to the case, which seems to be the same kind of shape and size as the old pair. It has recieved a new control, though — the touch-sensitive pairing button from the AirPods 4.
The AirPods Pro 2 are larger. They're still comfortable, mind you, and we'll have to see how they feel after long-term testing as to whether the new version is nicer to wear for long periods.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Controls
We'll have to comment more on this one after we've had a go with the new buds, but they feature the same controls as the AirPods Pro 2. That means touch sensitive stems. You'll squeeze them for play/pause, hold them for ANC, and swipe them for volume. They work very well on the AirPods Pro 2, so they're likely to work very well on the AirPods Pro 3.
The only difference here is the removal of the pairing button the charging case — it's now a touch sensitive panel on the front.
- Tie
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Sound quality
The AirPods Pro 3 have, according to Apple, got better sound than the AirPods Pro 2. There's better bass, and more detailed highs. Spatial Audio has also apparently been improved, and soundstage widened.
There is just one problem — we haven't tried the buds out. Once we get them in our ears we'll be able to judge their sound compared to the Pro 2. Until then, we'll tentatively give this section to the AirPods Pro 3.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Features
For the most part, the features are the same between the two pairs of buds. Both feature the magical multi-device connection afforded by Apple buds, along with Apple Intelligence integration. There's ANC, head-tracked Spatial Audio and health functions like hearing health and hearing aid.
The AirPods Pro 3 build on the feature set, however. We've now got a heart rate sensor for use during workouts, making them great with fitness fanatics. You can track workouts with the buds, a first for the AirPods line. The AirPods Pro 2 don't do this.
However, the other headline feature is something that the AirPods Pro 2 will also do. Live Translation mostly occurs on your phone, and you can use the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods Pro 2 for the feature. That's a major upgrade to the AirPods Pro 2.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: ANC
Apple says that the AirPods Pro 3 will block twice the noise of the AirPods Pro 2. Unfortunately, we can't test this until we've got a pair, but that's a mighty increase over what was already decent ANC. For now, we'll give this to the AirPods Pro 3.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Battery life
Apple has drastically improved the battery specification of the AirPods Pro 3. They now last for 8 hours with ANC on, instead of the 6 hours of the AirPods Pro 2. Transparency mode gets an even bigger boost, up to 10 hours, four hours more than the last model.
We're yet to put the battery life through its paces, but at the moment, the AirPods Pro 3 sound like the step up we were hoping for in the battery department.
- Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3: Verdict
Tentatively, the AirPods Pro 3 seem to be a worthy upgrade over the AirPods Pro 2. They've got massively increased battery life, a more comfortable and secure fit and potentially improved sound. We're also looking at a new feature in the heart rate sensor — all for the same $249 price as the old model.
However, they're yet to launch, and we've not had a chance to test them against their forbears. Until then, it's a "these seem like they're going to be worth upgrading to." I'd say you're pretty safe preordering a pair, but if you're not comfortable, you'll have to wait until our full review to see whether the AirPods Pro 3 are a worthy successor and a must-buy.
If you're looking to save money, the AirPods Pro 2 are still very good — and they're even getting the Live Translation feature of the new model
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