Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Gen) — Deep, unbiased, research-based review (India — Jan 2026)

Model: Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation)
Reference price (Amazon India, Jan 2026): ₹24,490.

Below you’ll find a thorough, practical look at the AirPods Pro 3 — what actually changed vs earlier models, how they behave day-to-day, how they stack up against the top rivals, whether AirPods Pro 2 owners should upgrade, and a clear verdict for Indian buyers.

Quick TL;DR

AirPods Pro 3 refine the AirPods Pro formula with better sound, noticeably improved ANC, longer single-charge earbud runtime (up to 8 hours with ANC on), IP57 dust/water resistance, and some new sensors (including heart-rate sensing). They’re best for iPhone/iPad users who value seamless Apple ecosystem integration, spatial audio, and eccentrically good usability. At ₹24,490 in Jan 2026 they’re attractive — but strong Android-friendly rivals (Sony, Samsung) still lead in raw ANC, codec flexibility and sometimes battery endurance.

What’s new / headline specs you should know

• Earbud battery: Up to 8 hours listening with ANC on (Apple spec). Case + earbuds total ~24 hours. (Apple specs).

• ANC & sound: Improved ANC and redesigned acoustic architecture for fuller sound and deeper perceived bass vs Gen-2. Still uses custom Apple silicon and refined mic arrays.

• Fit & tips: Redesigned external geometry with more eartip options (Apple now offers more fit choices).

• Durability: IP57 rating (dust + water resistant) — better protection for workouts & rain.

• New sensors: Apple adds a heart-rate sensor in the stem (usable for workouts and some Health features).

(Everything above is pulled from Apple specs and trusted reviews.)

Sound quality & Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

• Sound signature: The Pro 3 delivers a more spacious, dynamic presentation compared with the Pro 2 — clearer mids, tighter bass and improved staging. For most genres (pop, EDM, acoustic) the new tuning is a clear improvement. Independent reviews note a more “open” and detailed sound.

• ANC performance: ANC is substantially better than older AirPods Pro models; it now competes well with top rivals in many everyday scenarios (commute, office). However in very high-noise environments Sony’s flagship earbuds (WF-1000XM5) often still edge Apple on raw ANC depth. If cancellation is your single-most-important criterion, check side-by-side demos.

Battery life & charging

• Earbuds: Up to ~8 hours per charge with ANC on (Apple spec; real-world varies by volume / spatial audio / heart-rate sensing).

• Case total: ~24 hours total listening with the charging case (case supports USB-C, MagSafe, and wireless charging).

• Real-world note: Independent tests show top rivals (Sony WF-1000XM5 family) can match or slightly exceed single-charge runtime in favourable conditions — Sony often posts longer single-charge numbers in battery tests. If all-day battery without recharging is critical, compare hands-on tests.

Fit, comfort & call quality

• Fit: Apple refined the external shape and added more eartip choices to improve seal and comfort. Many users report a snugger fit and improved passive isolation. If you’ve struggled with fit on older AirPods, the Pro 3’s extra options help.

• Calls & mic: Call clarity is very good—Apple’s voice isolation and beamforming mics perform well in typical outdoor and indoor situations. In extremely windy or very loud traffic conditions, performance is solid but not perfect (as with most earbuds).

Smart features & ecosystem advantages

• Seamless Apple integration: Fast pairing, automatic device switching, Find My + case speaker, spatial audio with head-tracking — all work exceptionally well inside iOS/macOS ecosystems. If you’re invested in Apple devices, the convenience is a major advantage.

• Health sensor: Heart-rate sensing is a welcome addition for fitness users; Apple will likely expand integrations into Fitness / Health features over time.

Competitor comparison — who else should you consider?

Sony WF-1000XM5 (and Sony family)

• Strengths: Best-in-class ANC in many tests, excellent audio detail, long battery life, support for higher-quality audio enhancements (DSEE Extreme). Sony often leads in ANC and audio tuning for critical listeners.

• Weaknesses vs AirPods Pro 3: Less seamless for iPhone-only features (no Find My U2 chip integration), Android-centric extras are strong though. Battery and ANC numbers may edge AirPods but Apple’s ecosystem features and head-tracking spatial audio are tougher to match.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

• Strengths: Strong ANC, adaptive noise control, good Samsung AI features, EQ customisation and often cheaper during deals. Good pick for Samsung/Android users.

• Weaknesses vs AirPods Pro 3: Apple still wins on iOS integration, spatial audio ecosystem, and some convenience features. But for Android users, Samsung equals or outperforms on platform synergy.

Bottom line on competitors: If you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem, AirPods Pro 3 give the most frictionless experience. If raw ANC, codec breadth or Android feature parity are more important, Sony or Samsung may be better buys. Try a listening/ANC demo if possible.

Should AirPods Pro 2 owners upgrade to Pro 3?

Short, honest answer: Not necessarily — depends on what you value.

• Upgrade if you want:

  • Noticeably better ANC and sound staging.

  • Longer single-charge earbud runtime (from ~6 hrs → up to ~8 hrs) and IP57 rating.

  • The new heart-rate sensor and slightly improved fit options.

• Skip the upgrade if you:

  • Are happy with your Pro 2’s ANC/sound and want to avoid extra expense — Pro 2 remains a strong product and often has discounted pricing. Many users report the Pro 2 still holds up extremely well.

Practical rule: if your Pro 2 works fine and you’re not chasing the absolute latest, hold off; if your Pro 2 is worn, damaged, or you really want the incremental improvements and new sensors — then Pro 3 is a reasonable upgrade.

Pros & Cons (concise)

Pros

• Clear sonic improvements and more spacious sound staging vs Pro 2.

• Improved ANC and IP57 rating (better for workouts & wet weather).

• Strong Apple ecosystem integration (Find My, auto switching, spatial audio).

• Useful new health sensor (heart-rate) and more fit options.

Cons

• Pricey compared with many Android-oriented alternatives that match or exceed ANC and battery numbers.

• No high-res Bluetooth codec support (Apple prioritises AAC/LE Audio ecosystem features).

• Case battery total (24 hrs) is slightly lower than some rivals’ top totals in lab tests.

Is it worth ₹24,490 in Jan 2026? — Unbiased Indian verdict

• Yes — if you’re an iPhone/iPad user and you value the Apple ecosystem’s seamlessness, spatial audio, and the small but real improvements in ANC, fit and battery life. At ₹24,490 the AirPods Pro 3 are competitively priced for Apple hardware (price trackers and Indian listings show similar sale pricing). If you use Apple devices daily, the convenience + performance makes this a sensible buy.

• Maybe / No — if you’re an Android user or your top priorities are longest possible battery or absolute ANC depth at the lowest price. In that case, a Sony WF-1000XM5 (or whatever the latest Sony flagship is at purchase time) or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro can be better value or performance choices — especially during sales.

Practical buying tip: If you own Apple devices, treat the AirPods Pro 3 like a platform accessory: their day-to-day convenience often justifies the premium. If you don’t, demo Sony and Samsung rivals first.

Final plain recommendation

• iPhone user who wants best-in-platform convenience and improved ANC/sound: Buy AirPods Pro 3 at ₹24,490. Great balance of refinement and ecosystem value.

• Android user or ANC/battery-first listener: Compare with Sony WF-1000XM5 / Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and buy whichever matches tests/comfort for you (you may save some money or get better ANC).

• AirPods Pro 2 owners: Not an automatic upgrade — upgrade only if you want the marginal improvements, or buy if you find a good trade-in/deal.

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