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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Alex Lee

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Should you upgrade your earbuds?

Interestingly, the AirPods Pro 3 launched at a cheaper price than the second-generation model - (Alex Lee/The Independent)

For years, the AirPods Pro 2 have been some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy, boasting excellent sound quality, rock-solid ANC, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. But perhaps now you’re wondering whether to upgrade to the AirPods Pro 3.

The AirPods Pro 3 buds launched in September 2025 and deliver a leap forward in noise cancellation and bring on board a sleeker design and a host of new smart features like real-time language translation and heart rate tracking. For anyone whose current earbuds are on the way out, the decision is a no-brainer. Are those additions enough to warrant an upgrade? I’ve been wearing both pairs since they first launched to help you decide whether they’re worth the investment. I’ve compared the specs, features, sound quality and more.

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