Apple's noise-canceling wireless earphones 'AirPods Pro 3' can finally measure your heart rate. What's different from the previous generation?
On September 19, 2025, Apple released its noise-canceling wireless earphones , the AirPods Pro 3. Compared to the previous generation, they feature a new heart rate sensor, live translation using Apple Intelligence, and improved noise cancellation, making them a significant step forward. I was curious to see what changes had been made, so I decided to compare their appearance, size, and shape with the previous-generation AirPods Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 3 - Apple (Japan)
The AirPods Pro 3 cosmetic box looks like this.
When I opened the lid, it said 'Designed by Apple in California.'
Instructions, AirPods Pro 3, and ear tips.
The earbuds come with a medium size ear tip, and four other sizes are available: XXS, XS, S, and L. Starting with the AirPods Pro 3, five sizes of ear tips are available.
The front of the AirPods Pro 3 charging case looks like this.
A side-by-side comparison of the AirPods Pro 3 (left) and the second-generation (USB-C) AirPods Pro 2 (right). While it's hard to tell from the image, the AirPods Pro 3 are slightly larger vertically. While the AirPods Pro 2 have a visible LED indicator in the center of the front, it's barely visible on the AirPods Pro 3.
The AirPods Pro 3 charging case, including the earphones, weighed 55g, compared to the 61g weight of the second-generation (USB-C) case, which is about 8g lighter.
The AirPods Pro 3 (left) case no longer has the unpairing button that was present on the AirPods Pro 2 (right).
Left side of the AirPods Pro 3 charging case
There is a hole on the bottom, a USB-C port, and a speaker grill.
There is a hole on the right side for fastening a strap.
There is nothing on the top.
I opened the lid.
I took out the earphones.
At this point, I noticed that there is also an invisible LED indicator on the front of the AirPods Pro 3 charging case (left). The LED indicator lights up when you remove the earphones from the charging case, but the LED on the AirPods Pro 3 charging case seemed brighter than on the AirPods Pro 2 (right).
The inner shape that secures the earphones looks like this.
When comparing the internal shapes of the AirPods Pro 3 (left) and AirPods Pro 2 (right), you can see that they are slightly different.
The technical conformity mark is printed on the inside of the lid.
The AirPods Pro 3 earphones themselves look like this.
The shape of the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds has also changed significantly from the previous generation. We compared the L (left ear) earbuds of the AirPods Pro 3 (left) and AirPods Pro 2 (right) side by side. The angle of the ear tips relative to the earbuds has changed slightly, and the shape of the sensor (black part) attached to the earbuds has also changed.
Viewed from the side, the AirPods Pro 3 (left) appears slightly thinner than the AirPods Pro 2 (right).
The AirPods Pro 3 (left) has a sensor on the front of the earbuds that isn't present on the AirPods Pro 2 (right). The AirPods Pro 3 also has a new heart rate sensor.
The shape of the earbuds has changed, so has the shape of the ear tips. This means that the ear tips for the AirPods Pro 3 (left) and AirPods Pro 2 (right) are not compatible. There are also slight differences in the way they are attached; although the AirPods Pro 3 require a bit more force to remove, they have a more snappy fit and feel more secure.
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 can be purchased for 39,800 yen including tax. At the time of writing, it was possible to order it on Amazon.co.jp for 38,192 yen including tax.
Amazon.co.jp: Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Heart Rate Sensor, Hearing Aid, Bluetooth Headphones, Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Dust, Sweat, and Water Resistant, Find My, Qi Charging: Electronics & Cameras
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