In September 2025, announced alongside the iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3 arrived. With the first refresh in about three years, how does it change what we hear?

I bought them on release day and used them for a week. Here’s the real-world review.

Conclusion: A “buy now” level for iPhone users

Along with improvements to sound quality and noise canceling from the H3 chip, the healthcare device side has been dramatically strengthened. It has evolved from just “listening to music” into a device that “protects your body.”

What’s new

1. “H3 chip” that delivers overwhelming silence

The new H3 chip improves noise canceling by 2x versus the previous model. Not only train noise, but even cafe chatter and keyboard clicks disappear in a surprising way.

Even if you’re using AirPods Pro 2, an upgrade is recommended if the health features and ANC performance appeal to you. Especially for commuters, this silence should dramatically improve quality of life.