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The AirPods Pro 3 do not use an H3 chip. Apple’s specifications list the H2 chip in the earbuds and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in the MagSafe Charging Case. The “H3” claim comes from an unconfirmed pre-release rumor, not Apple’s final product specifications.
AirPods Pro 3 launched on September 19, 2025, at $249 in the United States. Their most significant additions are workout heart-rate sensing, a smaller earbud design, stronger active noise cancellation, improved hearing features, Live Translation support, and a redesigned charging case.
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AirPods Pro 3 features at a glance
| Feature | What Apple says |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple H2; the case has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip |
| Noise cancellation | Up to twice as much ANC as AirPods Pro 2 in Apple’s controlled testing |
| Health tracking | Heart-rate sensing during workouts |
| Workout support | Up to 50 workout types through the Fitness experience on iPhone |
| Ear tips | Five sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, and L |
| Durability | IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance |
| Battery | Up to eight hours of listening with ANC enabled |
| Translation | Live Translation with compatible iPhone, software, and language requirements |
| Charging case | USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, and Apple Watch charging support, plus a speaker and lanyard loop |
There is no H3 chip in AirPods Pro 3
Apple lists the H2 headphone chip—not an H3—as the processor in AirPods Pro 3. The case’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip helps with nearby-device and Find My features, but it is not an H3 audio chip.
This matters because the chip name affects expectations about compatibility and performance. Articles or listings describing AirPods Pro 3 as “H3-powered” are using an unverified rumor. The confirmed hardware is H2, the same chip family Apple used in the previous Pro generation.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Heart-rate tracking works during workouts
AirPods Pro 3 add an in-ear photoplethysmography sensor for heart-rate measurement. It uses invisible infrared light 256 times per second, along with the earbuds’ motion sensors and the iPhone, to calculate workout data such as heart rate, calories, steps, and distance.
This is workout-based tracking, not an always-on replacement for an Apple Watch. Monitoring starts as part of an active workout in Apple Fitness, Apple Fitness+, or a supported third-party workout app. Ending the workout ends the monitoring session.
AirPods Pro 3 can measure heart rate with only one earbud in your ear. If an Apple Watch and the AirPods are both providing heart-rate data, Apple uses whichever source has the highest confidence at that moment. The AirPods can also send workout heart-rate data to the iPhone even when they are not the device playing the audio—for example, when the audio is routed to an Apple TV.
How to enable or disable heart-rate monitoring
- Connect the AirPods and put them in your ears.
- Open Settings on the iPhone.
- Tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen.
- Turn Heart Rate on or off.
Heart-rate monitoring is enabled by default.
How to view heart rate during a workout
- Open Fitness.
- Tap Workout.
- Start a workout.
- Review the recorded heart-rate data by opening the completed workout afterward.
Saved readings can also be found in Health > Search > Heart > Heart Rate.
What to check when readings are missing
A dimmed heart-rate value or a display of dashes usually means the sensor is not receiving a reliable signal or the workout has not started. Check that the AirPods are connected, improve the ear-tip fit, clean the earbuds, and make sure the heart-rate sensor is touching the skin inside the ear.
The feature is intended for workout and activity tracking. It is not a medical diagnostic system or a substitute for clinical monitoring.
Smaller earbuds and five ear-tip sizes
Apple redesigned the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds to make them smaller and supplied five ear-tip sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, and L. The new tips use a foam-infused material designed to improve the seal.
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Rank #2
- Replacement Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) AirPod - right side (A3063). Easy to pair with your existing AirPods set, with pairing instructions included.
- Package includes 1 right Apple AirPod Pro 3rd Generation (A3063) and pairing instructions in generic envelope or box.
- Only compatible with Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation)
Fit affects more than comfort. A poor seal can reduce noise cancellation, weaken bass, and make heart-rate readings less reliable. If the medium tips used on an older pair never sealed properly, the XXS or XS options may make the Pro 3 a better fit. Conversely, a tip that feels secure but causes pressure may be too large.
Stronger active noise cancellation
Apple says AirPods Pro 3 provide up to twice as much active noise cancellation as AirPods Pro 2. That comparison comes from Apple’s controlled tests against commercially available wireless in-ear headphones, so it should not be treated as a fixed result in every environment.
Actual ANC performance depends on the ear-tip seal, the noise around you, the selected listening mode, and how the earbuds fit your ears. The new design and extra ear-tip size may be just as important as the processing improvement for some users.
Hearing-health features
AirPods Pro 3 support a broad set of hearing tools:
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- Hearing Aid
- Automatic Conversation Boost when Hearing Aid is enabled
- Hearing Protection
- Live Listen
- Headphone levels
- Headphone Accommodations
Availability is not identical in every country. Hearing Test and Hearing Aid have regional and medical-device requirements, so they should not be assumed to work universally on every AirPods Pro 3 unit.
Hearing Protection also has limits. It is not designed for extremely loud impulse sounds such as gunfire, fireworks, or jackhammers, nor for sustained sounds above 110 dBA. An IP57 rating does not make the earbuds suitable for swimming or eliminate the need to protect your hearing in dangerous noise.
Live Translation has strict requirements
AirPods Pro 3 can work with Apple’s Live Translation feature, but the earbuds are not the only requirement. You need:
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- AirPods Pro 3 with the latest firmware
- An iPhone 15 Pro or later
- iOS 26 or later
- Apple Intelligence enabled
- The Translate app installed
- The required conversation languages downloaded
Live Translation is offered as a beta feature and is not available in every region or language. Apple also warns that generative translation may be inaccurate or unexpected. The feature is not exclusive to AirPods Pro 3; Apple also supports it on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Max 2 when the required hardware and software conditions are met.
How to start Live Translation
- Open the Translate app.
- Tap Live.
- Tap Start Translation.
With AirPods Pro 3 connected, you can also press and hold both stems at the same time or say, “Siri, start Live Translation.”
Battery life
Apple’s maximum figures vary according to which features are active:
| Use case | Apple’s rating |
|---|---|
| Listening with ANC enabled | Up to 8 hours |
| Spatial Audio and head tracking enabled | Up to 7.5 hours |
| Heart-rate sensing during a workout | Up to 6.5 hours |
| Transparency mode while using Hearing Aid | Up to 10 hours |
| With the case and ANC enabled | Up to 24 hours total |
| Five-minute charge | About 1 hour of listening |
These are laboratory-test results, generally based on specified settings such as approximately 50% volume. Higher volume, calls, Spatial Audio, workout sensing, temperature, and other features can reduce real-world battery life.
IP57 protection and the new charging case
Both the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds and their charging case have an IP57 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance. Resistance can decline with normal wear. Apple says not to charge the earbuds or case while they are wet, and the rating should not be interpreted as permission to use them for swimming or other underwater activities.
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The MagSafe Charging Case supports:
- USB-C charging
- MagSafe charging
- Qi-certified wireless charging
- Apple Watch chargers
The case includes a speaker for Find My alerts and a lanyard loop. Find My functionality requires iOS 26 or later. Apple does not include a USB-C cable or power adapter in the box, so buyers who do not already have compatible charging equipment must purchase one separately.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Stem controls and Camera Remote
AirPods Pro 3 add volume control by swiping up or down on the stem. The stem can also be pressed once to take a photo when Camera Remote is supported. These controls are useful when the iPhone is mounted for a workout, placed on a tripod, or being used at a distance.
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Firmware and software support
Apple’s current firmware listing gives AirPods Pro 3 version 8B41. To check the installed version on an iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the Info button next to the AirPods.
- Scroll to About.
- Check Firmware Version.
AirPods firmware updates are delivered automatically. Put the earbuds in their case, connect the case to power, keep them near a Wi-Fi-connected Apple device, and leave them within Bluetooth range. Apple recommends leaving them charging for at least 30 minutes.
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Apple’s published specifications do not list body-temperature measurement, blood-oxygen monitoring, or glucose monitoring. They also do not describe all-day heart-rate tracking. These claims should not be confused with the confirmed workout sensor.
FAQ
Does AirPods Pro 3 have an H3 chip?
No. Apple lists the H2 headphone chip in AirPods Pro 3. The MagSafe Charging Case has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, but Apple has not announced an H3 chip for this model.
Can AirPods Pro 3 track heart rate all day?
No. AirPods Pro 3 measure heart rate during an active workout in Apple Fitness, Fitness+, or a supported third-party app. They are not documented as an all-day heart-rate monitor like an Apple Watch.
Do AirPods Pro 3 measure blood oxygen or body temperature?
Apple’s official AirPods Pro 3 specifications do not list blood-oxygen, body-temperature, or glucose sensors. The confirmed health addition is workout heart-rate sensing, alongside hearing-health tools.
Are AirPods Pro 3 waterproof?
They have an IP57 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance, but they are not intended for swimming. Apple also says not to charge the earbuds or case while wet, and resistance can decrease with normal wear.
The Bottom Line
AirPods Pro 3 are a substantial update for workouts, noise cancellation, fit, and hearing features, but the headline chip is H2—not H3. Heart-rate sensing is useful for active workouts rather than continuous health monitoring, and features such as Hearing Aid and Live Translation depend on region, software, and compatible Apple hardware. Buyers should also account for the separate USB-C cable and the fact that Apple’s battery and ANC figures are maximum test results, not guarantees of everyday performance.
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