These new features make the AirPods Pro 3 an instant purchase for me

Apple just announced the AirPods Pro 3, and I’m already confident I’ll buy a pair. As an iPhone user, the AirPods Pro 2 were already my top choice, and the AirPods Pro 3 improve upon those in a meaningful way. While oftentimes it feels like Apple only has minor updates each year, I’m genuinely excited for these new AirPods Pro 3 features.

The ANC upgrade sounds massive

According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to twice the noise cancellation of the previous generation, and four times more than the original AirPods Pro. That’s a serious claim—and if it holds up in testing, it would place these among the most effective noise-cancelling earbuds available.

The boost in performance comes from a redesigned acoustic architecture, upgraded microphones, and new foam-infused ear tips for better passive isolation. Apple also promises a more natural Transparency mode and an improved spatial audio experience, which could make these a more compelling all-around listening solution than ever before.

In our testing, we found that the AirPods Pro 2 reduce the loudness of external noise by 83%, which was already among the best noise canceling earbuds on the market. If the AirPods Pro 3 are a significant improvement, these will be my favorite earbuds for traveling.

I don’t need to worry about water damage anymore.

Durability has always been a sticking point with AirPods. Previous models were only IP54 rated—fine for casual use, but not fully waterproof. I’ve ruined two sets of AirPods already due to water damage. One of them fell out of my pocket and into a water fountain, and the other I accidentally put through the washing machine in my pants pocket.

The AirPods Pro 3 step up to a IP57 rating, which means they can finally handle submersion in water. That means they should handle sweaty gym sessions, rainy commutes, and rougher conditions without issue. Combined with a reengineered fit and new ear tip sizes (including XXS), Apple is clearly aiming for a more secure and versatile design for working out with. On paper, this finally brings AirPods in line with what you’d expect from serious fitness earbuds.

Built-in heart rate tracking unlocks smart fitness features

This is the first pair of AirPods with a built-in heart rate sensor. Apple’s custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor uses infrared light to measure blood flow during exercise, and syncs data to the iPhone’s Fitness app—without needing an Apple Watch.

That unlocks real-time heart rate monitoring, calorie tracking, and access to a new AI-powered Workout Buddy that offers personalized insights. You can even start up to 50 different workout types directly from your iPhone and see metrics like heart rate and Move ring progress. For anyone who wants deeper fitness data without more devices, this is a big deal.

Should you pre-order the AirPods Pro 3?

If you have an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 should be your first choice for wireless earbuds. You get potentially class-leading ANC, a secure and durable design, and fitness tracking that rivals some wearables—all tied into the Apple ecosystem.

We’ll reserve our final verdict until we test them in the lab, but based on what’s been announced, this might be Apple’s smartest AirPods update to date. Pre-orders are open now, and availability begins September 19.