Are the AirPods Pro 3 a sound investment?
In the past month, the buzz surrounding the new AirPods Pro 3 has swept the nation!
Apple has unveiled the “World’s Best In-ear Active Noise Cancellation” along with other groundbreaking accessibility features that will transform the lives of many individuals.
The AirPods Pro 3 boasts a range of new features, including improved materials and production quality. This aligns with Apple’s Zero Waste Program, which aims to reduce waste and benefit the environment.
Notably, 100% recycled rare earth elements, aluminum, and tin are used in the case and product itself. Additionally, the chemical composition of the product has been enhanced, eliminating harmful chemicals in favor of high-quality materials. Furthermore, all final assembly supplier sites for Apple are transitioning to 100% renewable energy for Apple production.
Despite these impressive improvements, the most talked-about aspect of the new AirPods Pro 3 is the development of Live Translation!
Live Translation is an innovative active listening technology that translates conversations in real time between individuals speaking different languages. During the unveiling of the feature, a conversation between a customer and a Spanish-speaking florist was showcased. The customer demonstrated the ability to understand the florist’s pricing, enabling a seamless and effective exchange while maintaining the customer’s own language.
Live Translation proves to be particularly useful for individuals residing in urban communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds. For instance, California, a melting pot of ethnic groups, encompasses various languages spoken within its cities. The ability to comprehend Vietnamese, Korean, or Spanish would be immensely beneficial in such environments. Additionally, Live Translation is advantageous for travelers venturing to foreign countries, facilitating communication with locals.
While the live translation features offer significant advantages, they are still in the beta testing phase and have a few development errors. According to Mike Andronico, a senior editor at CNN, the AirPods 3 still needs further refinement. During his test with a friend speaking fluent Spanish, he noticed a slight delay in the translation, leading him to use the feature more for quick questions rather than full conversations. Additionally, the language selection options are limited compared to other brands’ translation capabilities.
Despite these limitations, the noise cancellation feature remains the most appealing aspect of the AirPods 3. It now has an impressive eight hours of listening time on a single charge, an increase from the previous six hours. The sound quality has also undergone significant improvements, thanks to the new multi-port acoustic architecture. This architecture allows for deeper bass and a wider soundstage, resulting in a more immersive listening experience.
The ultra-low noise microphones have been enhanced to isolate the speaker’s voice in calls more effectively. They eliminate unwanted sounds, ensuring that the listener only hears the caller’s voice. This advanced technology is truly unique and sets the AirPods 3 apart. The sound quality improvements, coupled with the redesigned architecture of the AirPods, provide seamless audio cancellation. The ear tips have been rotated inward, and an additional layer of foam-infused microspheres has been added to enhance comfort.
Users can now take photos and videos with the AirPods 3 by simply tapping on them. Additionally, the charging case has been upgraded with a 1.5x increased precision, making it less likely to lose track of the AirPods.
Accessibility features are a significant selling point for the product. It can serve as a hearing aid replacement, especially with its automatic conversation boost. The hearing aid feature has FDA authorization and is intended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. While it’s not a complete solution for deafness, it can be beneficial for people with slight hearing loss or deterioration.
Another novel feature is a pulse monitor that tracks calorie burn during workouts. The device now has heart rate sensing capabilities, allowing users to access metrics like BPM and calories burned through the fitness app. Additionally, users can track over 50 different types of workouts.
While these features are impressive, there have been some issues since its release. Testers have reported mixed feedback on battery life, which falls short of the product’s marketed promise. The AirPods 3 has less rated battery life compared to the previous model, with a 24-hour battery life compared to the previous 30-hour battery life. However, it still maintains a fast charging speed, which mitigates the lack of consistent battery life.
Some consumers find the model visually similar to the previous ones, which is a point of contention. The most significant issue for consumers is the price point, especially for those who have previously owned the previous model. The time between new product versions has been perceived as too short, and the price of $249 is inaccessible to many people across the nation.
The newer generation of AirPods has seen a price reduction, making them more affordable than before, at a price of $119. This demonstrates Apple’s realization that to remain competitive, they need to lower their price points. If Apple can effectively market health features like the recent release of the heart monitoring feature in their smartwatch, it could save countless lives by prompting users to seek medical attention sooner.
The AirPods Pro 3 offers a glimpse into the future of technological advancements. They showcase how technology can be tailored to address accessibility challenges without compromising its marketability to the general public. Apple’s focus on health is commendable, and it’s hoped that these features will become more prevalent and affordable in the future.
All information regarding Apple products was found on the Apple Store website, and the review of the AirPods Pro 3 was found on CNN’s website in the article cited below.
Andronico, Mike. “The AirPods Pro 3 Are My Favorite AirPods Ever, but You Might Want to Skip Them.” CNN Underscored, 16 Sept. 2025, www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/airpods-pro-3
