Review: Two Months With the AirPods Pro 3 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Review: Two Months With the AirPods Pro 3

It's been almost two months since Apple released the AirPods Pro 3, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using them since they came out. He has some new thoughts to share on longer-term ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ use, so check out our video if you're thinking of picking up a pair for the holidays.


There have been recent reports from some people who are experiencing an ongoing static issue with the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, so that's something to be aware of. Apple does seem to be replacing affected units for customers who are bothered by the noise, which appears to be audible when ANC is active but no sound is playing.

Other users have been hearing a high-pitched whine when on airplanes, which could be related to pressure. Not all ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ units are experiencing the issue, but it sounds like Apple is looking into it.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ offer excellent sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities, and for some people, the fit is much better than the AirPods Pro 2. Battery life has held up well in our testing, and the heart rate sensor offers readings almost identical to the Apple Watch.

What do you think of the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ if you've been using them since launch? Let us know in the comments below.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

airpods pro 2 hearing aids

AirPods Pro Hearing Aid Feature Launching in These Canadian Provinces

Monday October 26, 2026 9:25 am PDT by
iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 enable Apple's clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in five Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. The feature is still not available in any other provinces, but Ontario is reportedly set to hold a meeting to change a law that will pave the way for it to launch there,...
iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27

14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2

Friday October 30, 2026 12:42 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27.2 on October 26, bringing enhancements to Siri AI, adding Suggestions in Messages, and sneaking in a string of smaller additions across Photos, Podcasts, Games, Apple TV, and FaceTime. iOS 27.2 is available to download to your device now via Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update. Note that some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models....

Top Rated Comments

SkyRom Avatar
13 months ago
My two cents:
-have had no issues charging (my AirPods Pro 2 would sometimes fail to maintain "contact" with the charger, resulting in the left pod constantly being 0%-20% in the morning,) glad this seems 'fixed' it was super annoying.
-i like the new feature where, like the iPhone/MacBook Pro they offer the opportunity to max at 80% battery when you don't need full power
-noise canceling has improved since latest firmware updates
-overall Build and Sound Quality feel WORSE than AirPods Pro 2. i would describe the sound and quality as "thinner" than before. not tinny and cheap, and they may break in better, but just... 5% worse. there could be a slight placebo effect because they are new and feel lighter or more "slick" than the old ones. but i think i'm right.
-i have never successfully drained them to 0%, so battery life seems incredible.
-charging case is exactly the same size as Gen 2 which was disappointing but neither good nor bad
-device switching feels faster and less glitchy with the updated Bluetooth which is great
-head tracking is good, but sometimes over-dramatic and results in poor performance from one AirPod

I still own AirPods Pro 2, and the new Powerbeats Pro 2, but haven't had to go back to them, I think my sister actually swiped them lol. AirPods Pro 3 are still my go-to due to the form factor over the Powerbeats.

tl;dr: 9.3/10. With this long to prepare, I would have liked to see a 10/10 with flawless sound, all issues fixed, better noise canceling, and a smaller case, but, they are still the 'buds to beat.

[edit] one complaint: Apple literally redesigned the shape of the ear snaps so you can't use the AirPod Pro 2 shapes interchangeably. pure money grab, goes against all their environmental claims, and felt ridiculous and unnecessary on its face to milk $10 for replacements later to me, especially since i preferred the AirPod Pro 2 earbud material/shapes. not enough for me to dock the score, and i don't regret buying these at all, but, scummy in this economy.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

The AirPods Pro 3 offer excellent sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities, and for some people, the fit is much better than the AirPods Pro 2.
I am certainly in the minority but fit is much worse for me and noise cancellation is therefore no better. I asked my girlfriend to test and same results. We tried all the sizes. Not much difference. Sure trying to force them inside the ears increases the noise reduction but makes them even more unconfortable.
Sound is indeed better, and range is too. No static noise either. But the pro 2 fit much better (perfectly actually) in our ears, are more comfortable and therefore provide better noise cancelling. Do other people have a similar experience or are we a rare exception?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StevesBobs Avatar
13 months ago

I am certainly in the minority but fit is much worse for me and noise cancellation is therefore no better. I asked my girlfriend to test and same results. We tried all the sizes. Not much difference. Sure trying to force them inside the ears increases the noise reduction but makes them even more unconfortable.
Sound is indeed better, and range is too. But the pro 2 fit much better (perfectly actually) in our ears, are more comfortable and therefore provide better noise cancelling. Do other people have a similar experience or are we a rare exception?
My issue as well, they simply hurt my ears after 15-30 minutes of use. No issue with the pro 2, I can wear them for hours. I just worry what's to come down the line, are pro 2's the last airpods I can comfortably use?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
I’ll join others by saying these just don’t fit well. They were a day one purchase for me as I was looking forward to the heart rate monitoring during workouts as the watch isn’t super reliable at times. However, they do not fit nearly as well as the Pro 2’s. Interestingly they fit worse in my left ear than my right, but the previous ones I had no issues. I already handed down my 2’s to my daughter, tried trading her the 3’s for the 2’s back, she tried them and did not want to make the trade. ANC is better for sure, but I just don’t like their fit.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago

I am certainly in the minority but fit is much worse for me and noise cancellation is therefore no better. I asked my girlfriend to test and same results. We tried all the sizes. Not much difference. Sure trying to force them inside the ears increases the noise reduction but makes them even more unconfortable.
Sound is indeed better, and range is too. But the pro 2 fit much better (perfectly actually) in our ears, are more comfortable and therefore provide better noise cancelling. Do other people have a similar experience or are we a rare exception?
I tried them at an apple store and found them to feel uncomfortable compared to the APP2. Definitely something to do with the foam inside the silicone tips. I also tested one ear with APP2 and the other with APP3, and the additional noise cancelling was somewhat noticeable, but nowhere near what apple advertised in the keynote.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Happy_John Avatar
13 months ago
Are we really continuing the APP3 outrage-bait articles? I know it generated a lot of clicks last month, but isn’t APP3 a hate-fad that’s past its sell-by date? I thought we’d moved on to colourful logo hate?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
9 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
11 hours ago
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
11 hours ago
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
15 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
1 day ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
1 day ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
1 day ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
1 day ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
2 days ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
2 days ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
2 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
2 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
2 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
2 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
2 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
2 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
2 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
2 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
2 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
2 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
2 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
3 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
3 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
3 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
3 days ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
3 days ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
3 days ago