When AirPods Pro 3 first hit the market, I was a bit hesitant about the upgrade. I thought AirPods Pro 2 was still excellent. Moreover, one of the most important features of AirPods Pro 3, Live Translation, was also coming to AirPods Pro 2. However, after actually trying them out - I can sincerely say that I was wrong about my pessimism.

Comfort Changes Everything

It all comes down to comfort. AirPods Pro 3 feels much more comfortable in my ears. They are lighter, in a way - I hardly think about wearing them.

I hadn't realized this was the case with AirPods Pro 2 until I tried AirPods Pro 3. Thanks to the new shape and foam-covered ear tips, it's much easier for me to wear AirPods Pro 3 for longer periods.

Apple claims these are the 'safest and best-fitting AirPods' based on 100,000 hours of user research and 300 million ear fit data. This really seems to be true.

Clearer Transparency Mode

Apple doesn’t talk much about this, but at least in my experience, AirPods Pro 3 offers a clearer transparency mode compared to AirPods Pro 2. I think this is due to the foam-covered ear tips of AirPods Pro 3 providing a better seal in your ears.

This is a big deal for me. I never liked talking while wearing my AirPods - because I felt like I couldn’t hear everything clearly. But now, with AirPods Pro 3, I feel comfortable about it.

The Same Great Sound Quality

If you love the sound of AirPods Pro 2, you will feel the same way about AirPods Pro 3. I’m definitely not an audio expert, but at least in my opinion, the two headsets are quite close to each other. If you’re looking for better sound, this might be a bit disappointing, but if you already love the sound of AirPods Pro 2, this is great news.

Less Overall Battery Life

Now, let’s get to a downside: the case comes with less battery life.

Overall, AirPods Pro 3 lasts longer than AirPods Pro 2. Apple announces up to 10 hours of listening time with the earbuds in transparency mode, which is more than 6 hours on AirPods Pro 2. That’s a significant difference.

However, the case has a noticeably smaller battery capacity. AirPods Pro 3 lasts a total of 24 hours with the charging case, while AirPods Pro 2 lasts 30 hours.

This may not seem like a lot, but I definitely noticed it while using them. The little iOS notification reminding you that you need to charge your AirPods pops up much more frequently, whereas I rarely saw this with AirPods Pro 2.

I should mention that my AirPods Pro 3 hasn’t run out yet, but you will need to be more careful about charging with these new earbuds.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, AirPods Pro 3 is a fantastic product. If you have an older pair of AirPods, you should consider upgrading, even if you don’t think you need something new - if you have the budget.

Apple Stores offer demos for AirPods, so if you have the time, I definitely recommend doing that. AirPods Pro 3 may seem like a small upgrade on paper, but everything changes after you try them.

Also, a small note: AirPods Pro 3 comes with a slightly larger case and feels lighter. This doesn’t make a huge difference but is still interesting.

If you want to get a pair of AirPods Pro 3, you can currently find them on Amazon for $224.

My Favorite Apple Accessory Recommendations:

  • Anker MagSafe/Qi2 Ultra Thin Battery Pack
  • AirPods Pro 3 (2x ANC compared to AirPods Pro 2!)
  • Anker Nano 45W Fast Charger with Smart Display
  • Anker 3-in-1 Prime 25W MagSafe Charging Stand
  • Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse for Mac
  • Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 USB-C Hub

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