Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What’s Different?

The “Awe Dropping” event held by Apple on September 9 revealed the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which are scheduled for release on September 19. You now have just over a week to contemplate an upgrade.

The previous enhancement to the AirPods Pro occurred in 2023, when Apple incorporated a USB-C charging port into the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 2 debuted in 2022. Apple enthusiasts have been anticipating a major update for the AirPods Pro for three years.

What new features does the update bring? We’ve compared AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 below.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Pricing

Positive news: despite increasing costs for various headphones and earbuds, the pricing for the AirPods Pro 3 remains consistent with the earlier model.

  • AirPods Pro 3: $249

  • AirPods Pro 2: $249

The AirPods Pro 2 frequently go on sale for $169, with prices dropping to $149 during Prime Day. With the Pro 3 now released, the Pro 2 may have limited stock available, so take advantage of purchasing them as an affordable set of noise-cancelling earbuds while you can.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Audio performance

It’s difficult to evaluate until we’ve reviewed the latest earbuds. Here’s what is known:

  • AirPods Pro 3: Customized spatial audio with head tracking, new multiport acoustic audio architecture for improved spatial audio

  • AirPods Pro 2: Customized spatial audio with head tracking

The new acoustic architecture provides even superior sound quality for the Pro 3 earbuds.
Credit: Apple / Screenshot

While sound quality was not the primary emphasis of Apple’s announcement, it wasn’t overlooked. The third-generation Pros boast a novel acoustic design that improves the bass, mids, and treble, particularly in spatial audio.

Apple also indicated enhancements to transparency mode, which is noteworthy since AirPods Pro already possess one of the leading transparency modes available.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Active noise cancellation

  • AirPods Pro 3: Twice the ANC compared to the AirPods Pro 2

  • AirPods Pro 2: Twice the active noise cancellation of the original AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro 2 have been a popular choice for noise-cancelling earbuds, with Mashable’s Stan Schroeder commending their ANC for being so efficient that <a href="https://mashable.com/review/apple-airpods-pro-2-review" target="_blank" data-ga-click="1" data-ga-label="$text"