AirPods Pro 3 Launch: Enhanced ANC, Fitness Features, and Live Translation Boost Appeal

Apple has unveiled the much-anticipated AirPods Pro 3, marking a significant leap forward in wireless earbud technology. These next-generation earbuds offer a compelling suite of upgrades designed to enhance user experience across various domains.

The AirPods Pro 3 feature a redesigned acoustic structure, promising unparalleled sound clarity and world-class Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This improved ANC technology effectively doubles noise reduction capabilities compared to its predecessor and offers four times the noise cancellation efficiency of the original AirPods Pro. The dynamic spatial audio experience is further enhanced by an Adaptive EQ, which optimizes sound quality by adjusting bass response and increasing the audibility of high frequencies, lending itself to a more immersive listening session, whether users are consuming music or engaged in phone calls.

Additionally, the AirPods Pro 3 feature new foam-infused ear tips, available in five sizes, including a newly introduced XXS size, ensuring an optimal fit for a wider range of users. This design results in improved passive noise isolation and greater comfort during extended listening periods. The earbuds are engineered to meet IP57 standards, making them resistant to both water and sweat, and therefore ideally suited for workouts or inclement weather.

Apple emphasizes the AirPods Pro 3's capabilities in the fitness realm, integrating advanced features that go beyond audio. A newly developed custom heart rate sensor uses a photoplethysmography (PPG) mechanism, enabling the tracking of heart rate via infrared light. Pairing the AirPods with the Fitness app on the iPhone allows users to granularly monitor up to 50 different workout types, track calories, and receive motivational feedback, all of which contributes to a seamless and enhanced fitness journey.

One of the most groundbreaking additions is the Live Translation feature, aimed at enabling seamless cross-language communication. With support for languages including English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, the feature will be expanded to include Italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese by year-end. This capability positions the AirPods not just as a musical or conversational device but as a vital communication tool across linguistic boundaries. Users can initiate translation mode via the AirPods stems — an elegant gesture-based solution that underlines Apple's approach to intuitive design.

Hearing health and user safety remain a priority, demonstrated by expanded battery life and a new Hearing Aid mode, which amplifies surrounding sound for users who need auditory assistance. In Transparency mode, battery life has been extended by 67% over the previous model, allowing up to ten hours of use on a single charge. Furthermore, the Conversation Boost feature optimizes spoken word clarity in noisy environments such as restaurants.

Apple continues to champion environmental sustainability with the AirPods Pro 3, demonstrating a commitment to its 2030 carbon neutrality goal. The earbuds incorporate 40% recycled content, with the battery made from entirely recycled cobalt and the casing from 65% recycled plastics. Through manufacturing processes utilizing 40% renewable electricity, partly from wind and solar power, Apple ensures that environmental responsibility is woven into product development.

The AirPods Pro 3 are now available for pre-order in the United States and over 50 other regions. They will be up for purchase in stores beginning September 19, 2025, priced at $249 in the U.S. While Apple's hallmark features remain intact, the product introductions ensure that the AirPods Pro 3 will continue to appeal to a wide range of users, from audio afficionados and fitness fans to global travelers, all without a price increase from previous generations.