AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It?
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Apple has spent the last few years slowly refining the AirPods Pro, making small but meaningful improvements each time. And while the new AirPods model might not look like that different, they do come with some much-needed upgrades to what already were the best AirPods in the family.
However, with the release of the AirPods Pro 3, the obvious question for current AirPods Pro 2 users is whether this new model is worth the upgrade. After all, the second-generation AirPods are still a great part of high-quality earbuds that should last you for a few more years.
On the surface, the two models appear nearly identical, but Apple has incorporated a few upgrades that could be game-changers for certain users. For others, sticking with the previous generation may actually make more sense, especially with how affordable the AirPods Pro 2 have become. Yes, it may be confusing, but hear us out.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Design
Apple didn’t try to reinvent the AirPods Pro look, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. At first glance, both generations look almost the same with their white glossy finish, short stems, and compact charging cases.
But once you take a closer look, you’ll notice that the AirPods Pro 3 are just a little smaller overall. The AirPods Pro 2 measure 1.22 inches tall, 0.86 inches wide, and 0.94 inches deep, with each earbud weighing 0.19 ounces. Each AirPods Pro 3 earbud has the same height at 1.22 inches tall, but is 0.76 inches wide and 1.06 inches deep, with a weight of 0.20 ounces.
These numbers show that the AirPods Pro 3 are a little slimmer, but still keep almost the same weight and height. Apple made a slight redesign to the new AirPods Pro 3 with slightly increased depth and foam-infused eartips to provide better sound and bass while staying more securely in your ear no matter how you move.
When it comes to the charging case, things flip a bit. The AirPods Pro 3 case is 1.86 inches tall, 2.45 inches wide, and 0.86 inches thick, weighing 1.55 ounces. The AirPods Pro 2 case is a touch smaller at 1.78 inches tall, 2.39 inches wide, and 0.85 inches thick, though it weighs more at 1.79 ounces. Both cases feel pocketable, sturdy, and familiar if you’ve used AirPods before, but you’ll definitely notice the difference if you hold them side by side.
Color choices remain as predictable as ever — just one glossy white option. That consistency is part of Apple’s AirPods, though many of us still wish Apple made them in other colors — particularly black.
Overall, the design of the new AirPods Pro isn’t going to be the deciding factor here unless you really care about those small size changes.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What’s on the Inside?
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 run on Apple’s H2 headphone chip. That means you’ll see the same performance, quick and easy pairing, and even quicker device switching across your other Apple devices. It also means they both get the new Live Translation feature that Apple debuted this year.
The biggest internal difference isn’t in the earbuds themselves but rather in the charging case.
The AirPods Pro 2 introduced a first-generation Ultra Wideband chip inside the USB-C charging case. The AirPods Pro 3 took it one step further with Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.
The difference actually isn’t that big. That is, until you use the Find My app. Locating a misplaced AirPods Pro 3 case feels quicker and more precise, with directional arrows and even haptic feedback to guide you in the right direction. Additionally, the new chip also lets you use Precision Finding from longer distances — although you may also need an iPhone 17 to benefit from that. With all of this said, it’s worth noting that the AirPods Pro 2 also support Precision Finding, but the experience might not be quite as responsive.
Not only that, but the newer ultra-wideband chip also consumes less energy when being used, which might be reflected in the AirPods’ battery life in the long run.
If you’re someone who tends to lose their AirPods, this is a small but important upgrade. If you rarely lose track of your case, though, you may not get much value out of this change.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Controls
Control-wise, both models remain essentially the same. On either generation, you press the stems to play, pause, skip tracks, or answer calls. Both also let you swipe up and down on the stems to adjust volume, which Apple first introduced with the AirPods Pro 2.
The consistency here is good news. On the one hand, if you’ve built muscle memory with one model, moving to the next won’t throw you off. On the other hand, it doesn’t give AirPods Pro 2 users any compelling new features to make an upgrade.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Hearing and Other Health Tools
Apple has been steadily transforming the AirPods Pro into more than just earbuds. Both the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 have an impressive list of hearing features, including an integrated hearing test, hearing aid support, and built-in hearing protection that alerts you when your environment is too loud. For people who want discreet hearing support without investing in specialized hardware, these tools can be genuinely life-changing — as long as you live in a country where they’re available.
With that said, if you want more health-related tools from your AirPods, this is where you’ll need to get the new model. The AirPods Pro 3 take things a step further with a heart rate sensor built into the earbuds themselves. This lets you track your heart rate during workouts, keep tabs on the calories you’ve burned, and even close your Move ring without a watch strapped to your wrist. It’s definitely an interesting addition that makes the new AirPods Pro feel more like a health device than just an audio accessory.
Of course, if you already own an Apple Watch, this feature might be meaningless. Your iPhone will decide which of the two accessories to use when tracking your heart rate, but it doesn’t tell you which one. Moreover, it doesn’t let you choose which one to use, which makes things feel confusing, meaningless, or both.
Overall, for Apple Watch users, this new feature may feel redundant, but for people who don’t want to wear something on their wrist all the time, it could be one of the most compelling reasons to buy the AirPods Pro 3 over the older generation.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Audio Technology
Overall, sound quality should be slightly better on the AirPods Pro 3, as you would expect. Apple claims that it reengineered the AirPods Pro 3 design to provide deeper bass, clearer vocals, and overall better sound quality.
Additionally, Active Noise Cancellation, which has always been the defining feature of the AirPods Pro line, is still here and better than ever. Apple claims that the AirPods Pro 3 have Active Noise Cancellation that’s four times more powerful than the AirPods Pro 2. In practice, the AirPods Pro 2 already block out plenty of background noise on a plane, train, or city street, but the AirPods Pro 3 will perform better overall, and you’ll definitely notice it in loud environments. The switch to foam tips also helps here, as those are better at passive noise isolation than the silicone ones used in previous models.
Besides ANC, both generations offer Adaptive Transparency, Conversation Awareness, which lowers the volume of your tunes when you start talking, and Personalized Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience.
In your everyday life, you’ll notice that both generations sound excellent, but the AirPods Pro 3 feel like they handle extreme situations better. If you fly often or work in very noisy places, the newer model will be a great upgrade.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Battery Life
Here’s another area where things get different. The AirPods Pro 3 can last up to eight hours on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation turned on, compared to six hours on the AirPods Pro 2.
If you’re using the new heart rate sensing features during workouts, the AirPods Pro 3 battery drops to around six and a half hours, while using them in hearing aid mode with Transparency mode bumps it to about ten hours.
With the charging case, you’ll get around 24 total hours with the AirPods Pro 3. That number looks worse compared to the AirPods Pro 2, which can stretch to 30 hours with its case. Both versions still give you an hour of listening time from just five minutes in the case, which is handy in any situation.
The explanation for this tradeoff is simple: the AirPods Pro 3’s new health features consume more power. If you don’t use them regularly, the difference won’t matter much. But if you rely heavily on the heart rate sensor, you’ll need to charge slightly more often.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Price
Apple sells the AirPods Pro 3 for $249, the same launch price the AirPods Pro 2 had. You can find them for the same price on Amazon as of this writing, but don’t be surprised if we see some seasonal discounts during Prime Day or Black Friday events.
Since Apple no longer sells the AirPods Pro 2 directly, you’ll only find them through third-party retailers. Amazon and others usually list them for around $199, and similarly discounts could take that price even lower.
That price gap matters. Fifty dollars may not sound like a lot, but it’s enough to sway many people, especially when the AirPods Pro 2 are still excellent earbuds. The decision comes down to how much value you give to the AirPods Pro 3’s new health features, stronger noise cancellation, and better Find My integration.
Which One Should You Get?
Choosing between these two sets of AirPods depends less on audio performance and more on your lifestyle. If your main priority is high-quality sound, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit, the AirPods Pro 2 are still fantastic. They include almost everything the AirPods Pro 3 bring to the table at a lower cost. Plus, they’re still new enough that you’ll receive firmware updates for a few more years.
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro 3 clearly push the AirPods lineup in a new direction. By adding a heart rate sensor and improving Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, Apple has expanded their role beyond entertainment and into health and fitness.
If you don’t own an Apple Watch, these earbuds suddenly double as workout trackers. Even if you do, having multiple devices track your health can be useful. Combine that with a more precise Ultra Wideband chip in the case and slightly longer battery life per charge, and the AirPods Pro 3 feel like the more future-proof option.
For new people looking to buy a new pair of AirPods Pro, if you’re a budget-conscious buyer, the AirPods Pro 2 are the smarter play. You’ll save money and still enjoy almost all of Apple’s premium features. For anyone who wants the latest, particularly those invested in fitness and health, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth the upgrade.
On the other hand, if you already have the AirPods Pro 2, and even an Apple Watch, the new AirPods Pro 3 probably won’t give you enough bang for your buck. Unless your current AirPods’ battery life is really bad, you have no reason to make an upgrade just yet.
One word of caution, though: Before making a final choice, you may want to visit an Apple Store and try the new AirPods Pro 3 out for yourself, especially if you’re upgrading from a previous generation of AirPods Pro. While some folks love the fit of the new AirPods Pro, we’ve also seen multiple reports from users who found the new foam tips and design changes didn’t work for them. Everyone’s ears are different, so your mileage may vary.
This is the Future of the AirPods
One thing is for sure: the new AirPods Pro 3 bring a lot to the table, and they’re clearly the new standard for future AirPods upgrades. And while you don’t need to get them right now—or at all—future generations of AirPods will follow this model, and will probably implement more health features to make the AirPods even better health companions. This is Apple’s new angle, and we’ll have to get ready for more health-focused AirPods in the future.
