The whispers of a new generation of AirPods Pro have finally been laid to rest. Apple has officially announced the AirPods Pro 3, and they are more than just a minor upgrade. These new earbuds pack a slew of technical advancements and key features, designed to deliver a truly ultimate audio experience. It’s not just about listening to music anymore; it’s about a deeply integrated and personalised interaction with your environment, and with your own body.
One of the most significant leaps is in the audio performance itself. The new AirPods Pro 3 boast a custom multi-port acoustic architecture that meticulously controls how sound flows into your ears. The result is a richer bass response and a wider, more immersive soundstage where every instrument and vocal is distinct. This is paired with next-generation Adaptive EQ, which fine-tunes the sound in real-time. For those who want to stay connected to their surroundings, the new Transparency mode now makes your own voice and the voices of others sound more natural than ever before, seamlessly blending your audio with the world around you.
But what about blocking out the world? This is where the AirPods Pro 3 truly shine. Apple claims they offer the world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), capable of removing up to twice as much noise as the previous generation, and four times more than the original AirPods Pro. This is achieved through a combination of ultra-low noise microphones and advanced computational audio. What’s more, the new foam-infused ear tips, now available in five sizes including a new XXS, not only enhance passive noise isolation but also improve the overall in-ear fit and stability, making them perfect for high-energy workouts or a simple jog in the park.
Speaking of workouts, the AirPods Pro 3 take health tracking to a new level. For the first time in an AirPods product, Apple has integrated a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that measures your heart rate by shining invisible infrared light into your ear to track blood flow. This data, combined with information from the built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS, allows the earbuds to track over 50 different workout types and provide personalised insights through the Fitness app on your iPhone.
Finally, in a nod to Apple’s broader AI push, the new Live Translation feature, powered by Apple Intelligence, allows for seamless face-to-face communication across languages. This hands-free capability, available in beta, translates speech in real-time, making it easier to connect with others without a language barrier. All these features come with an increased battery life, now offering up to eight hours of music playback with ANC enabled, a 33% increase over the previous model.
Pricing & Availability
The AirPods Pro 3 will retail for $249 (~RM 1,053) internationally. The earbuds will start at RM999 in Malaysia. Apple states that the earbuds are coming soon to customers in Malaysia, with no fixed date for availability.
