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5 reasons I’m not waiting for the AirPods Pro 3
While AirPods 4 were announced, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 didn’t make it onto the Apple stage last week. Given that we didn’t even receive a tease on the AirPods Pro 3 release date, it’s nearly certain we won’t see the next-gen AirPods Pro until 2025 at the earliest. I’ve been using the AirPods Pro 2 since their release and am in the market for new earbuds. While I’m still undecided on my pending purchase, I won’t wait around for the AirPods Pro 3 and don’t think you need to either.
1. Noise canceling and top-notch Adaptive Noise Control
Although they’re two years old, ancient in tech years, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 still champion some of the best active noise canceling (ANC). I use the buds daily and their ANC impresses me every time I train downtown or fly to see family.
When comparing Apple’s flagship buds against Sony’s, it’s a close call. The Sony WF-1000XM5 block more sub-bass and high frequencies than the AirPods Pro 2. That said, Apple’s buds block out more midrange frequencies. Given how the Sony WF-1000XM5 came out almost a year after Apple’s, it’s impressive that the AirPods Pro 2 keep pace.
Likewise, the AirPods Pro 2 ANC performance is similar to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Like the WF-1000XM5, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds are one year old. If you’re waffling between the two, ANC won’t be the deciding factor; it’s that close. Comparing the AirPods Pro 2 and Momentum True Wireless 4 ANC performance is a close call too. Again, impressive on Apple’s part seeing how Sennheiser’s buds came out a year and a half after Apple’s.
The AirPods Pro 2 slingshot ahead of the pack with Apple’s Adaptive Noise Control. I use this feature multiple times a week. Why? There is constant construction on my block that I don’t want to hear, but I want to remain aware of what’s happening generally. Somehow the AirPods Pro 2 separate drilling sounds (and mute them) while allowing me to hear alarming sounds like the cacophony of honks that occur at my intersection. This is a feature I’m beholden to and feel that Apple’s version of this is currently more impressive than the competition.
2. Superb sound quality for daily use
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 sound very, very good. I use these buds for 90% of my music listening — sacrilege, I know. The sound quality and convenience factor are a winning combination that leaves me feeling content. At this point, don’t feel too compelled to use my higher-quality headphones unless I’m feeling rather intentional about my music listening.
Our testing backs this up: these buds score a 4.8/5 via the MDAQS algorithm from HEAD Acoustics. This means the AirPods Pro 2 sound excellent to most ears. Apple’s frequency response also hews rather closely to the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve, with a nearly inaudible bump in the sub-bass and under-emphasis in the highs.
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Apple’s Adaptive Audio is the best in the business. It allows the AirPods Pro 2 to reproduce audio consistently across all ear types and every time you don the buds. It’s a game-changer since Apple doesn’t allow you to create a custom EQ for the buds. For that, you’ll need to experiment with your music streaming app of choice. The absence of a custom EQ is a major ding against the AirPods Pro 2. However, they sound great for daily, on-the-go use, and I don’t miss the customization whereas it’s an absolute necessity for other earbuds.
3. Unmatched fit and comfort
I’ve tested over 200 audio products for SoundGuys and the AirPods Pro 2 remain the most comfortable earbuds for my ears. Now, this is subjective. My colleague, Harley Maranan doesn’t have the same luck as I do. He has to use a third-party ear fin to keep the buds in place when exercising. This will vary from ear to ear, and may even vary between your own ears; anatomy is that unique sometimes.
Objectively, the AirPods Pro 2 are the most ergonomic AirPods earbuds to date due to the ear tips and contoured design. Most ear shapes can get a proper fit with the buds and four sizes of ear tips that Apple provides (XS-L). The AirPods are lightweight and have pressure-relief vents that ensure hours-long comfort. I am extra-sensitive to that “clogged ear” feeling, and never get that with the AirPods Pro 2. To be fair, more and more mid- to- top-tier earbuds come with vents, so it’s not unique to Apple, moreso a bonus.
4. A double-edged sword: Flawless Apple integration
Yes, one of my greatest gripes with Apple is also one of my favorite things about the AirPods line. While it would be wonderful to see Apple open up its ecosystem, even a little bit, the fact remains that the AirPods are the best line of earbuds/headphones for listeners who own multiple Apple products.
Apple’s H2 chip allows for automatic and seamless device switching when called for. Plus, the pairing process is an absolute cakewalk. All you have to do is open the AirPods case near your iPhone and hit “Pair” on the pop-up card. Apple is a master of ease and simplicity, so long as you remain happily locked into its ecosystem. Also, the integrated speaker on the second-gen AirPods Pro’s charging case has made it silly easy to find the AirPods around my studio apartment.
Apple is also reliable when it comes to bringing new software features to it’s hardware throughout the life cycle of the product. The AirPods Pro 2 just got a host of new hearing health features, including using the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid for moderate hearing loss.
5. Great durability (beyond the IP rating)
The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds and case share the same IPX4 rating. This rating means they can survive water sprays from any angle. I’ve weight-lifted, rock-climbed, and run with my AirPods well over 200 times since owning them and they are still going strong. Months ago, I spilled water on the AirPods Pro 2 case (and on my Macbook Air), and the earbuds and case worked fine afterward.
I’ve also dropped the AirPods Pro 2 case on the ground, only to have the earbuds eject out and against the pavement numerous times. Even with all the concrete contact, the earbuds show minor signs of wear.
Who should wait for the AirPods Pro 3?
While the AirPods Pro 2 tick all of my boxes, they may not cut it for you. iPhone owners who want even greater comfort may want to hang around for the AirPods Pro 3. Apple tweaked the fit of the AirPods 4, and could do the same for the AirPods Pro 3. A potential redesign of the AirPods Pro 3 might allow them to sit in your ear more comfortably.
People who want the best microphone quality from their AirPods may want to wait too. Currently, the Sony WF-1000XM5 remain royalty regarding microphone quality in windy conditions. Somehow, Sony’s buds clearly relay the speaker’s voice as if there’s no wind at all. We expect Apple to close the microphone gap, optimizing wind noise rejection in transparency mode. Apple’s current implementation of wind noise rejection occasionally amplifies wind noise to a grating degree.
We also expect Apple will improve the next-generation buds’ ANC performance. While the AirPods Pro 3 may not completely eclipse the best noise canceling earbuds available today, we expect the ANC will be better than the AirPods Pro 2. Likewise, we expect modest improvements to battery life.
If you decide to wait for the AirPods Pro 3, or buy any wireless earbuds, remember that all wireless earbuds’ batteries degrade over time. If you use your buds often enough and long enough, the battery life will degrade to near unusable levels. In fact, the declining battery life of my AirPods Pro 2 is what put me in the market for new buds.
After two years of regular listening, my buds’ battery life is a fraction of what it once was. These days, it feels like I have to charge the case and buds every day. When I first got them, I could go a week or more between case charges. This is fine for now, but I anticipate the battery will soon become so degraded that the buds become useless.
If you’re wary of buying new wireless earbuds every few years, it may also be worth joining the ranks of Gen-Z listeners flocking to wired headphones. While they may not offer the same level of convenience, wired headphones can provide a more durable and sustainable listening experience.
Frequently asked questions about the AirPods Pro 3
Current rumors point to a 2025 release date for the AirPods Pro 3.
We don’t know yet, but we expect the AirPods Pro 3 will have better noise canceling, microphone quality, and durability than the AirPods Pro 2.
The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 are two different beasts. The AirPods Pro 2 are sealed earbuds with noise canceling, while the AirPods 3 are unsealed earbuds that let you hear your music and surroundings simultaneously.