AirPods Pro 3 Is Here! Ready for Apple’s Ultimate Audio Upgrade?

AirPods Pro 3 Is Here! Ready for Apple’s Ultimate Audio Upgrade?

Published: 11th September 2025

Reading Time: 8 minutes

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The iPhones weren’t the only highlights of Apple’s event — the AirPods Pro 3 came with significant upgrades. This year’s model includes the biggest addition: a heart-rate sensor, a feature that quietly turns earbuds into a more capable health buddy for your workouts or daily routines. Apple has also redesigned the fit by introducing foam-infused ear tips available in five sizes, including the brand-new XXS option for people who’ve always found the previous AirPods just a bit too large. It’s a small change, but definitely an important one for comfort and seal.

Apple claims that its world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology can block up to twice as much background noise as its previous model, marking a significant improvement for anyone spending time on trains, planes, or in noisy gyms. Pair that with Live Translation in iOS 26 and the upgrade to IP57 water- and sweat-resistance, and you can see what Apple aimed for this year.

Considering everything packed into a device about the size of one of those small smart-home sensors barely noticeable in a corner of a room, the USD $249 price tag seems quite reasonable for what you’re getting. If you’re planning to upgrade, pre-orders open on September 10, with full availability online and in stores starting September 19.

Highlights:

“World’s best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)”—twice Pro 2, eight-hour battery life.
AirPods Pro 3 now feature heart rate sensing, Live Translation, and an improved fit.
IP57 Sweat & Water-Resistance Makes Them Suitable for Workouts.
Preorders begin September 10, available September 19 in the United States, Canada, and 50+ regions at USD $249.

A Closer Look at the AirPods Pro 3’s Upgraded Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Let’s start with Apple’s bold statement, “world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)”—a claim you can find in any pair available on the market today. Big claim, but this holds true, especially considering its previous generation AirPods Pro 2, which remains a popular choice, and that’s not hard to believe as Apple managed to push things even further this year.

So, how did they do it? Well, they achieved this through three ways:

Ultra-low noise microphones
Advanced computational audio
New foam-infused ear tips for greater passive noise isolation

What happens when you put all this together? You get an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that feels different the moment you start listening. The AirPods Pro 3 block out up to 2x as much noise than the AirPods Pro 2 and close to 4x more than the first-generation model, which makes a huge difference if you are squeezing yourself into a busy area, trying to focus at work, or just chilling at home.

The soundstage feels more immersive because distractions fade faster, allowing your music or podcasts to sit in a clearer, quieter space. Even with that increase in isolation, Apple still managed to extend the battery life: with ANC on, the AirPods Pro 3 provide up to eight hours of playback — roughly a 33 percent increase over last year’s model.

How Comfortable are the new AirPods 3?

When it comes to comfort, the AirPods Pro 3 build on what already worked and push it a bit further. The previous generation fit most people well, but Apple clearly wanted a more secure, more sealed fit this time. To achieve this, the company relied on extensive research — scanning over 10,000 ears, analysing 100,000 hours of real-world usage, and gathering data from more than 300 million measuring points. That work led to a subtle redesign intended to improve passive isolation even before ANC is activated.

The buds are slightly smaller, and Apple adjusted the stem and ear-tip shape so everything lines up more closely to the center of the ear. This makes them sit more naturally, feel more stable, and less likely to stick out — basically, no more “antenna ears.” Apple also released new foam-infused ear tips in five sizes, including a new XXS option, which will be welcome for anyone who had trouble with the previous fit.

They’re now IP57 sweat and water-resistant, so taking them to the gym or out for a run isn’t an issue. And this is where the new heart-rate sensor comes into play. Apple’s tiny custom-built PPG sensor fires off invisible infrared pulses hundreds of times per second to monitor your heart rate in real-time. It’s impressive technology for something this small, and while some people might side-eye anything that beams light into their ear canal, the idea is to make fitness tracking feel more natural and hands-free.

During workouts, AirPods Pro 3 users can measure their heart rate and track workouts with a new experience in the Fitness app on iPhone, while enjoying an upgraded in-ear fit and added durability with IP57 during activities like running, HIIT, yoga, and more. | Image: Apple

Live Translation to AirPods

The AirPods Pro 3 introduce one of Apple’s most ambitious features yet: Live Translation. It’s still in beta, but even in its early stage, the concept is remarkable. With a simple toggle, your AirPods can enable a genuine conversation with someone who speaks an entirely different language. Apple combines computational audio and its new Apple Intelligence system to keep everything hands-free, allowing you to speak naturally and hear translated responses in real time. It’s designed for travel, work, study sessions, or simply connecting with people who don’t share the same first language.

If the person you’re talking to isn’t using AirPods, Apple still provides a workaround. Your iPhone can be held horizontally to display live transcription of your speech in their language, while their responses are translated back into your preferred language via your AirPods. It’s reminiscent of the early days of FaceTime — one of those features that starts as a convenience and quickly becomes essential after a few uses.

What makes it even more impressive is when both people are wearing AirPods with Live Translation turned on. Longer conversations become simpler because ANC subtly dims the other person’s voice, helping you concentrate on the translation without losing the natural flow of the chat. At launch, the feature supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese coming later this year. It’s early days, but this could quietly become one of the main reasons to upgrade.

AirPods Pro 3 deliver a more immersive listening experience and the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones, whether users are in transit, at the office, or winding down at home. | Image: Apple

When Can You Expect to Get Your Hands on the AirPods Pro 3?

“With AirPods Pro 3, the most popular headphones take a massive leap forward, providing fantastic sound quality and the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Combined with an improved fit that provides greater stability for even more people, heart rate sensing, extended battery life, and Live Translation enabled by Apple Intelligence, AirPods Pro 3 take personal audio to the next level.”

Customers in the United States, Canada, and dozens of other regions will be able to pre-order the AirPods Pro 3 starting Wednesday, September 10, with full availability both online and in stores beginning Friday, September 19. Pricing starts at USD $249, placing them in line with the rest of Apple’s premium audio lineup.

Check Out AirPods Pro 3 At Apple

Apple

About the Author

Elias Al Bay

Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.

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Nothing Steps Up Its Audio Game With $299 Headphones (1)

Elias Al Bay

Published: 7th July 2025

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Nothing has finally entered the over-ear category with one of its most ambitious products yet: the Nothing Headphone (1). For a brand that built its reputation on shaking up familiar categories, this move feels like the natural next step — and they aren’t doing it alone.

In an unexpected move, Nothing has partnered with Hi-Fi experts KEF, indicating that sound quality is just as important as sleek design. The headphones are set to officially launch on 15 July 2025, priced at USD $299, placing them firmly in the mid-range premium audio market.

What makes this debut exciting is how confidently Nothing leans into its identity. Instead of blending in with the endless lineup of matte-black, minimalistic headphones, the Headphone (1) opts for something much bolder. The design gives off a retro cassette-tape vibe — a playful, nostalgic touch that still feels modern. It’s the kind of look only Nothing would try, and honestly, it might be their most eye-catching hardware yet.

With their expanding lineup, this one truly makes a statement with their Headphone (1) — as the brand delves deeper into the audio world, partnering with serious sound engineers, and demonstrating once again that tech can be both functional and expressive.

Now that we’ve set the scene, let’s jump straight in.

How did Nothing Partner with KEF?

Nothing’s partnership with KEF isn’t just a cool name drop — it’s the backbone of what makes the Headphone (1) feel like a serious step forward. Nothing has an eye for design and the momentum of a cult-followed brand, but KEF brings six decades of pure audio engineering experience to the table. That combination means the Headphone (1) isn’t just about looking different; it’s engineered to sound genuinely premium.

When inspecting it, you’ll find custom 40mm dynamic drivers, tuned with KEF’s high-fidelity expertise to deliver richer bass, cleaner mids, and sharper highs than anything Nothing could have produced alone. And they didn’t stop at the drivers. The headphones feature a full suite of modern audio capabilities: Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and even a 3.5mm jack for traditionalists. There’s also a precision damping system and on-device spatial processing with head tracking, creating a 360-degree soundstage that shifts as you move — a feature we’re genuinely eager to test in real life.

The smart features don’t end there. Active noise cancelling is integrated, with a transparency mode for times when you need awareness rather than isolation. When paired with the Nothing X app, you can activate AI-powered ANC — trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios — which automatically adjusts cancellation according to your environment. It provides better sound control and increased battery efficiency. Speaking of which, the Headphone (1) is rated for up to 35 hours of playback with ANC on, offering the stamina that commuters and travellers will appreciate.

Nothing defined the design. KEF defined the sound. Together, they’ve created a pair of headphones that look like nothing else — and finally sound the way a flagship should.

CHECK OUT: 14 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones & Earbuds You Can Buy Right Now

Nothing Introduces The ‘Button’

Nothing keeps talking about this so-called Button, and once you understand its purpose, you can see why. It’s not just a decorative switch or a nostalgic nod — it’s the control centre for how Nothing expects people to use the Headphone (1). Instead of relying on the usual swipes and taps, the Button provides a physical command point that feels more deliberate and much easier to use on the go.

One press activates Channel Hop, a feature that allows you to switch between your recently used audio apps or preferred functions without touching your phone. It’s designed to keep your hands free and your music playing, whether you’re commuting, working out, or simply not in the mood to dig through your pockets. The Button can also be customised to activate voice controls or open Essential Space, Nothing’s own AI system, providing a quick entry point into the brand’s expanding ecosystem.

It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about how Nothing approaches hardware — simple ideas, executed in a way that genuinely changes how you use the product.

Price and Availability

The Nothing Headphone will be available for pre-order starting on 2 July 2025 through Nothing’s official website. The headphones are priced at USD $299, with general availability beginning shortly after the global release date.

Buy It Here