Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 landed on my doorstep this morning, and I’ve been putting them through their paces all day. I’ve owned just about every version of AirPods — from the originals to the Max — and realised these are actually my eighth pair. With that in mind, I was curious: are these a genuine step forward, or just another iteration?

Sound and Noise Cancellation

If you’re upgrading for sound quality alone, you might not notice a dramatic difference. The overall EQ and signature are very familiar, though the soundstage feels a little wider and the bass more controlled. Where things really jump forward is noise cancellation. Compared to the 2nd-gen Pros, ambient noise is cut back even further, making busy environments noticeably calmer. For me, that improvement alone almost justifies the upgrade.

Design and Fit

At first glance, you can see the shape of the new Pros has shifted. In the ear, the stems sit slightly further from the lobes and seem to stick out a touch more. Comfort is still excellent, though the redesigned tips need a bit of time to soften in. A small but welcome tweak: the magnets in the case are stronger, which should fix the charging-reliability issues that occasionally plagued earlier models.

Heart Rate Tracking

The headline new feature is the built-in heart rate monitor. Apple has borrowed ideas from the PowerBeats Pro, but this feels more refined. The Pros now track your heart rate during workouts and while resting, which is surprisingly handy if you don’t always wear an Apple Watch. Readings seem accurate so far, and it adds unexpected value to what’s already a very versatile product.

Early Verdict

It’s only day one, so I haven’t had the chance to really test battery life or longer listening sessions yet. But first impressions are strong: sound quality is solid, the noise cancellation is a clear leap forward, and the new health features make them feel more than just an iterative update.

So far, so good — and I’ll report back once I’ve lived with them a little longer.