AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: A Detailed Comparison for Upgraders

Charging Case and Dimensions

• 📦 The charging case for AirPods Pro 3 is noticeably larger than the Pro 2 case, meaning Pro 2 cases are not compatible with Pro 3 earbuds.
• 📏 While earbud height is similar, the Pro 3 earbuds are thicker (27mm vs 24mm) and slightly heavier (5.55g vs 5.3g) than the Pro 2.
• ⚖️ The Pro 3 case is 2mm higher and almost 2mm wider than the Pro 2 case, but the Pro 2 case is thicker (21.7mm vs 21.8mm) and heavier (50.8g vs 43.99g).

Battery Life and Durability

• 🔋 AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening with ANC on, compared to 6 hours for Pro 2. With Spatial Audio, it's 7.5 hours for Pro 3 and 5.5 hours for Pro 2.
• ⏳ Total listening time with the case is up to 24 hours for Pro 3 with ANC, while Pro 2 offers up to 30 hours (with transparency mode).
• 💧 Water and dust resistance sees a significant upgrade, with Pro 2 having IP44 and Pro 3 boasting IP57 for both earbuds and case.

Comfort and Fit

• 👂 AirPods Pro 2 come with four ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L), while Pro 3 adds an extra extra small (XXS) size.
• 🧽 Pro 3 introduces foam-infused silicone tips for improved acoustic seal and ANC performance, a notable upgrade from the Pro 2's standard silicone tips.
• 🎨 While earbud geometry has slight differences, the overall look is similar, with personal preference dictating which is preferred.

Features and Performance

• 🎧 Both models share the same core chip and audio processing capabilities.
• 🔊 Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is slightly improved on the Pro 3, attributed to the new ear tips, but not a dramatic two-times improvement.
• 🗣️ Transparency mode is noticeably better on the Pro 3, making it a recommended upgrade point.
• ❤️ A key new feature in Pro 3 is the heart rate sensor for fitness tracking, absent in the Pro 2.
• 📍 Find My tracking is enhanced in Pro 3 with the U2 chip for more precise locating compared to the U1 chip in Pro 2.
• 🌐 Live Translation is available on both Pro 2 and Pro 3, contrary to initial expectations of it being exclusive to the newer model.

Final Verdict

• ✅ If you prioritize improved ANC, fitness tracking (heart rate), better water resistance, and a more secure fit, the AirPods Pro 3 offer meaningful improvements.
• 🛒 For those without AirPods Pro 2, the Pro 3 is recommended. For existing Pro 2 users, the upgrade is worth considering based on the highlighted feature enhancements.