Highlights
- While the AirPods Pro 3 offer 8 hours of playback (up from 6), the case holds less charge, making the total battery life drop to 24 hours.
- Apple no longer bundles a USB-C cable, requiring users to buy one separately or rely on wireless charging.
- AirPods Pro 3 introduces double the ANC performance, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation.
Apple has officially introduced the AirPods Pro 3, a next-gen version of its premium earbuds. It brings notable upgrades like double the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance, a built-in heart rate monitor, and even a live translation mode. While these features make the Pro 3 an exciting step up, there are a few drawbacks that potential buyers should know about.
AirPods Pro 3 Battery Life vs AirPods Pro 2
One of the biggest changes comes in terms of battery performance. The new earbuds offer up to 8 hours of continuous playback, an improvement over the 6 hours on the AirPods Pro 2. However, the charging case tells a different story. The total listening time (earbuds + case) is rated at 24 hours for the AirPods Pro 3, compared to 30 hours on the AirPods Pro 2.
This means that while the earbuds themselves last longer, the case packs a noticeably smaller battery. To break it down –
- AirPods Pro 3 – 8 hours (buds) + 16 hours (case) = 24 hours total
- AirPods Pro 2 – 6 hours (buds) + 24 hours (case) = 30 hours total
Apple hasn’t disclosed the exact battery capacity in milliamp-hours, so we’ll need to wait for teardowns to confirm. Interestingly, despite the smaller case battery, the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds are slightly smaller (5.55g vs 5.3g) while the case itself is larger in size but lighter overall (43.99g vs 50.8g).
The Pro 3 still runs on the Apple H2 chip, while the case has been upgraded to the U2 chip for improved Find My tracking (the previous version used the U1 chip).
No USB-C Cable in the Box
Another significant drawback is that Apple is no longer including a USB-C charging cable with the AirPods Pro 3. As clearly stated on the official product page, “USB-C Charge Cable sold separately.”
This means you’ll either have to use an existing cable, buy one separately, or rely on wireless charging. While this aligns with Apple’s broader environmental push, the move has faced criticism and even legal challenges in the past.
Some customers see it as waste reduction, while others view it as an unnecessary cost-cutting measure.
The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 and are available for pre-order now with shipping set to begin on September 19. For those looking to save money, the AirPods Pro 2 remain available at $199 (20% off), making them a solid alternative for buyers not ready to jump to the latest model.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key upgrades in AirPods Pro 3?
Answer. AirPods Pro 3 feature double the Active Noise Cancellation, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation mode, making them a major functional leap.
Q2. How does the battery life compare to AirPods Pro 2?
Answer. The earbuds now offer 8 hours of playback (up from 6), but the case holds less charge, total battery life drops to 24 hours vs. 30 hours on the Pro 2.
Q3. Is a USB-C charging cable included with AirPods Pro 3?
Answer. No. Apple has removed the USB-C cable from the box. Buyers must use an existing cable, purchase one separately, or rely on wireless charging.
Q4. What’s the price of AirPods Pro 3 and are older models still available?
Answer. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 and ship from September 19. The AirPods Pro 2 remain available at $199, offering a more affordable alternative.