Apple has managed something that, in retrospect, seems almost absurd—getting us used to the idea that it’s completely reasonable to pay $249 for a pair of headphones. Just a decade ago, or maybe slightly less, headphones that cost a few hundred shekels were considered a serious expense, one you had to justify to yourself. Today, not only has this price become standard, but all companies have aligned with it: Wireless headphones are a must-have item in your bag, and wired headphones—which were once considered the boring default—have suddenly become a cool vintage accessory making a comeback on TikTok.
Into this reality comes the third generation of AirPods Pro, which at first glance looks almost identical to the previous model—the same white case, the same familiar design that has already become iconic. To justify spending money again, Apple packed in more and more features: Not just music and noise cancellation, but also a built-in heart rate sensor for the first time, an improved noise-cancellation mechanism claiming double the effectiveness, water and sweat resistance, and a new architecture promising richer sound and deeper bass. On paper, it’s an impressive package—and in this review, having purchased the headphones myself, I wanted to see if it truly justifies the price we’ve, as mentioned, gotten used to paying.
Design
The design of the AirPods Pro 3 is exactly the kind of thing that you might not notice at all unless you get very close. At first glance, they look identical to the previous generation: The same white earbud plastic, the same familiar case, the same design language that has long been one of Apple’s most recognizable symbols. But a closer look reveals subtle differences that add up to a noticeable change. Apple slightly altered the shape of the earbud itself so it sits more naturally in the ear canal and remains stable over time—a small change that feels much bigger than it looks.
The most noticeable visual innovation is, of course, the new heart rate sensor, located exactly where there was nothing in the previous generation—a small reminder that Apple continues to pack health and medical functions even into products once considered “just headphones.” Additionally, the internal part protecting the driver no longer sits in line with the earbud body but protrudes forward like a small nozzle—a solution familiar from competing products, designed so sound flows directly into the ear at a more precise angle.
The case has also been refined. The small pairing button on the back—one of the hallmarks of previous models—has disappeared entirely, replaced with a new gesture: Double-tap the front of the case near the status light to activate pairing mode. The light itself is hidden when off, giving the case a cleaner, sleeker look. It’s not a huge or dramatic change, but it continues Apple’s refined approach: Hiding everything that doesn’t need to be visible and leaving only the essential outside.
And comfort? The change is more subtle—they fit slightly better in the ear compared to the previous generation, feel more stable, but it’s not a dramatic leap. Ultimately, it’s just a pleasant improvement that makes daily use easier and the experience smoother. Good work, but without exclamation points.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation has always been one of the AirPods Pro’s strong suits, and Apple knows it. The first and second generations already offered impressive capabilities for the category, but the third generation feels like an additional upgrade—even if not exactly at the scale Apple claims. The company promises double the improvement compared to the previous generation; in practice, the difference is noticeable, though slightly less dramatic than the numbers suggest. Still, it’s a much more precise and mature noise-cancellation system—one that handles human voices, sharp sounds, and city noise around us better.
The difference is particularly noticeable for those coming from the first generation: People around me who tried the third generation after long use of the old model noticed a significant gap—and found it a good enough reason to upgrade. For me, the level of noise cancellation today is so good that it frees up valuable space in my backpack: No more heavy, clunky over-ear headphones that no longer justify themselves. The AirPods Pro 3 provide excellent isolation from the world, enough to enjoy music, podcasts, or a movie even on flights—without feeling like I’m sacrificing space or comfort.
Heart Rate Sensor
The heart rate sensor is perhaps the most intriguing innovation in the third generation of AirPods Pro—the first time Apple has integrated such a capability into its headphones. Until now, it appeared only in the Powerbeats Pro 2, and now it’s coming to its most popular product. The data flows directly to Apple Fitness as well as familiar apps like Nike Run Club or Peloton, meaning the headphones easily integrate into the ecosystem you already have.
In my treadmill test, I chose to leave the Apple Watch aside to see if the headphones could handle it alone—and the result was positive. The metrics appeared continuously on the workout screen, summarized at the end, and even popped up as a Live Activity on the lock screen and in the Dynamic Island. That is, even without the watch, the headphones can track activity sufficiently.
When I tried running both systems together—the watch and the headphones—I experienced something less precise: the data synced, but it wasn’t clear which source was providing the measurement at each moment. This is likely something Apple will update and clarify later, but it’s not critical to the user experience itself.
Sound
I almost always listen to music through my AirPods. I have other headphones at home, and also over-ear headphones I take mainly on long flights—where engine noise requires more aggressive noise cancellation—but most of the time, at home or on the go, I choose AirPods. Something about their sound has always felt just right: Balanced, effortless, and something you can listen to for hours without fatigue.
That’s why it was interesting for me to test the third generation and see if there was a truly significant change. I went back to songs I know best—ones I’ve heard dozens of times to catch the smallest nuances—and the difference immediately stood out. The bass sounds much clearer, stronger, and more focused compared to the previous generation. Beyond the bass, the rest of the sound also feels more polished: Voices are brighter, instruments are better separated, and the musical space feels wider and more precise.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the AirPods Pro 3 are not a revolution but a significant upgrade. Apple hasn’t changed the familiar formula, but it has added a collection of new technologies: More precise noise cancellation, improved sound quality, a heart rate sensor, real-time translation, and longer battery life. These aren’t empty promises—they’re features you can feel in daily use. Still, it’s important to remember that the design hasn’t changed much, and at first glance, it looks like the same familiar product.
The price remains the same—NIS 249—and that might be the most surprising part, considering Apple is usually known for charging more even for much smaller updates. Still, not everyone needs to rush to upgrade: If you mainly use headphones for calls and don’t listen to music much or use the other features, the previous generation is still good enough. But for those seeking a fuller sound experience, workouts with a built-in heart rate sensor, and advanced noise isolation—the AirPods Pro 3 are probably one of the most justified Apple products released this year.