When AirPods Pro 3 was first launched, I actually hesitated for a while, not sure whether it was really necessary to upgrade. After all, the overall performance of AirPods Pro 2 is still quite good, whether it is noise reduction, sound quality or wearing comfort, it can fully meet daily use. Moreover, one of the highlights of AirPods Pro 3 – instant translation, is also available on AirPods Pro 2. At first glance, there seems to be no reason to change. But after using it for a while, my mind completely changed. The experience of AirPods Pro 3 is not just a “small improvement”, but the kind of evolution that after using it for a long time, you will suddenly realize: “Ah, there is a difference.” For many, such an improvement is reason enough to upgrade.
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 compared, the upgrade far exceeded expectations
Comfort is important
In the end, the key that really made me decide to upgrade was “wearing comfort.” AirPods Pro 3 feel significantly different when worn in my ears. They are so light that I almost forget they exist. To some extent, they are indeed lighter and more fitting than the previous generation, and they do not feel oppressive when used for a long time. Interestingly, it wasn’t until I started using the AirPods Pro 3 that I realized that the AirPods Pro 2 had always been slightly uncomfortable in terms of comfort, but I just got used to it.
The third generation adopts a new appearance design and foam earplugs. The overall fit is more natural and you will not feel tired after wearing it for a long time. This difference is something you can’t go back. Apple says this generation’s design is based on 100,000 hours of user research and 300 million ear-fitting data, calling them the “best-fitting AirPods ever.” It sounds like marketing talk, but after actually wearing it, I have to admit that this sentence is indeed true.
Clearer transparency mode
Although Apple does not particularly emphasize this point, at least from my actual use experience, the transparency mode of AirPods Pro 3 is indeed clearer and more natural than AirPods Pro 2. I guess this has something to do with the use of foam earplugs in the third generation, because better sealing usually makes the outside sound muffled, and Apple has obviously compensated in the software, so that the transparency mode can process the ambient sound closer to the real listening experience.
To me, this improvement is very important. I didn’t really like talking while wearing AirPods in the past, especially when I needed to talk for a long time or communicate face-to-face with people. I always felt that my voice and the other person’s voice were not clear enough, as if they were separated by a thin film. After switching to AirPods Pro 3, this discomfort has almost completely disappeared. The transparency mode is so natural that I forget that I am wearing headphones, and I no longer need to adjust the volume when speaking. The overall communication experience is much smoother.
Same great sound quality
If you like the sound quality of AirPods Pro 2, you will probably be satisfied with AirPods Pro 3. Although I am not a professional audio player, from the perspective of daily use, the sound performance of the two is actually quite close. In other words, if you expect a significant breakthrough in sound quality from the third generation, you may feel there is some gap; but if you already appreciate the tuning style of the second generation, then this is good news, because you can enjoy more comprehensive upgrades in other aspects while maintaining a familiar listening feel.
Reduced battery life
Now let’s talk about what I think is the only obvious shortcoming: the battery life of the charging box is indeed short. Overall, the battery life of the AirPods Pro 3 headphones is significantly improved compared to the AirPods Pro 2. Apple says AirPods Pro 3 can offer up to 10 hours of listening time in Transparency Mode, compared to just 6 hours for the previous generation, which is almost a generational jump.
But the problem is the charging box. The charging case of AirPods Pro 3 has lost power, causing the overall battery life to drop from 30 hours in the second generation to 24 hours. A 6-hour difference may not seem like much at first glance, but after actual use, I definitely felt the difference. The frequency of iOS notifications reminding me that “it’s time to charge AirPods” has increased significantly, while my AirPods Pro 2 rarely pop up such notifications. It is worth mentioning that although the battery life of the charging box is shortened, I have not yet encountered a situation where AirPods Pro 3 suddenly ran out of power during use, which is reassuring. However, if you plan to switch to this generation, you do need to pay more attention to charging times than before.
worth buying
In summary, AirPods Pro 3 is a very mature product with a comprehensive upgrade in experience. If you are currently using older AirPods, even if you think they are still usable, it is actually worth considering replacing them as long as your budget allows. The difference after the upgrade is not one that can be fully understood by looking at the spec sheet, but the kind of improvement that once you put on the earphones and use them for a day or two, you will suddenly find that you can never go back.
If you are still hesitating, you might as well go to a physical store and try it on in person. The charm of AirPods Pro 3 often only emerges after actual experience. On paper, it seems to be just a minor update, but once you try it out for yourself, the experience will be completely different. There is another small detail worth mentioning: the charging box of AirPods Pro 3 is slightly larger than the second generation, but lighter. Although this does not affect the use, you can really feel the subtle difference when holding it in your hand, which is an interesting little change.
Source: KOCPC Chinese