Apple AirPods Pro 3 Long-Term Review: Re-evaluating Initial Impressions, ANC Performance, Android Limitations, and Sound Quality

Linus Tech Tips

Summary:

After an initial critical unboxing, a long-term review reveals a nuanced perspective on the AirPods Pro 3. The exceptional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a standout feature, proving invaluable for travel, restful sleep, and day-to-day noise reduction, even offering adaptive transparency for communication. Pros include an integrated heart rate sensor, improved battery life, and a more secure fit, contributing to extended usability. However, significant drawbacks persist, particularly for Android users who are locked out of numerous features like customizable controls, spatial audio, and firmware updates, highlighting Apple's "walled garden" approach. The design of the ear tips is problematic, lacking a pry point and making removal difficult, sometimes causing damage. While the sound quality is deemed "adequate," objective analysis confirms the AirPods Pro 3 have an unnecessarily boosted bass response compared to the AirPods Pro 2, a downgrade for many listeners. Ultimately, despite acknowledging initial overreactions, the reviewer remains torn due to the device's mixed bag of improvements and frustrating limitations, recommending it primarily for its ANC capabilities in noisy environments rather than overall daily driving, especially for Android users.

Introduction and Initial Impressions Revisited [0:00]

The reviewer addresses initial criticisms of the AirPods Pro 3, particularly regarding unnecessarily boosted bass. After daily driving the earbuds for several months, the reviewer acknowledges that the initial reaction was an "overreaction" due to the plethora of benefits.

• Initial Stance:
  • Criticized Apple for unnecessarily boosting the bass [0:00:11].
  • Believed the Beats acquisition influenced the sound signature [0:00:13].
• Revised Stance (after long-term use):
  • Accepted the bass boost as a "small price to pay" for the overall benefits [0:00:25].
  • Acknowledges the community was partly right in their counter-arguments.
• Advanced Features & Design:
  • Praises Apple's ability to pack a heart rate sensor and supporting electronics into the ear tip, calling it "incredible" for a mass-produced product [0:00:33].

    

  • Notes increased battery life and a more secure fit [0:00:40].

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Performance [0:00:48] [4:55]

The ANC feature is highlighted as a significant improvement and a game-changer for the user experience.

• Transformative Travel Experience:
  • ANC provides a "restful travel experience" by effectively eliminating noise, preventing fatigue from long journeys [0:00:51].
  • Described as feeling "like flying private" due to the silence [0:04:31].
• Day-to-Day Utility:
  • Helps mitigate sensory overload in noisy environments [0:01:03].
  • Serves as quick, convenient hearing protection [0:01:07].

    

  • Adaptive Transparency mode allows clear communication with others in noisy settings [0:01:14].
• Impressive Noise Reduction:
  • Effectively reduces engine noise, crowd chatter, and treadmill sounds to a light hum or complete silence [0:04:48].
  • The experience of turning ANC off after extended use in a noisy environment can be "downright jarring" [0:05:22].
• Suggestion for Improvement:
  • Wishes for multiple ANC levels (e.g., light for walking in a mall, full for planes) [0:05:29].

Pros: Battery Life and Case Features [5:50] [6:22]

The updated battery life and case features contribute positively to the overall experience.

• Extended Battery Life:
  • The earbuds last "forever" with the charging case; official specs show 8 hours with ANC, 10 hours with transparency [0:05:54].

    

  • Rapid recharging within the case means battery life is "a non-issue" for typical use [0:06:00].
• Convenient Charging Options:
  • Supports various charging methods, including wireless pads and Apple Watch chargers [0:06:18].

    

• "Find My" Integration:
  • The inclusion of "Find My" functionality, coupled with a speaker that emits ping noises, makes them easy to locate [0:07:04].
• Case Design:
  • The case is slightly larger and heavier than the Pro 2 but still fits easily in pockets [0:06:48].

    

  • The hinge, while "slightly less satisfying," is still superior to most other wireless headphones [0:07:21].

Cons: Ear Tip Issues and Android User Experience [1:21] [8:18]

Several issues detract from the otherwise positive aspects, particularly regarding physical design and platform compatibility.

• Ear Tip Design Flaw:
  • The absence of a pry point on the ear tips makes them incredibly difficult to remove [0:01:25].

    

  • This can lead to tearing the silicone flange when trying to change them, causing frustration (0:01:32, 0:07:53).

    

• Comfort Issues:
  • Despite a more secure fit, the reviewer finds the AirPods Pro 3 less comfortable than the Pro 2s (0:01:36, 0:08:06).
• Limited Android Functionality:
  • Android users are treated as "second-class citizens" due to restricted features (0:03:25, 0:08:22).

    

  • Missing Features for Android:
    • Inability to bind separate actions for left and right stem presses [0:03:30].
    • No head gestures for control [0:03:34].

      

    • Lack of automatic media pausing when falling asleep [0:03:37].

      

    • Cannot use the stem as a camera shutter [0:03:37].

      

    • No personalized spatial audio [0:03:39].

      

    • No adaptive audio [0:03:41].
    • Inability to update firmware without an Apple device [0:03:48].

      

  • Third-Party Workarounds:
    • Third-party Android apps (like LibrePods) offer some functionality (e.g., battery monitoring, ear detection, conversational awareness, EQ mode) but often require root access, limiting their widespread use (0:03:19, 0:09:00).

      

      

      

• Apple's Pricing & Packaging Practices:
  • Apple does not include a charging cable or power adapter, and the cost savings are not passed on to the consumer (0:06:24, 0:06:37).
  • The high price point ($250 for the earbuds, effectively $850+ when considering the need for an iPhone to unlock full features) makes the lack of features for Android users particularly egregious [0:08:48].

    

    

    

Audio Quality Analysis [9:32]

The discussion revisits the audio quality, especially the bass response.

• Re-evaluation of Bass Boost:
  • The initial strong reaction to the bass boost was an "overreaction" to some extent, as the earbuds offer "suitably adequate sound quality" for various media [0:09:38].
  • However, the core criticism remains: the AirPods Pro 3 are objectively "worse" than the AirPods Pro 2 for the average listener due to the boosted bass [0:09:49].

    

• Firmware Update Impact:
  • Lab testing confirmed that even with the latest firmware, the sound profile (specifically the bass response) did not change significantly [0:10:34].

    

  • This suggests that perceived improvements by some users might be due to getting accustomed to the sound or achieving a better fit [0:10:42].
  • LTT Labs published an article "Why Are the AirPods Pro 3 a Nightmare to Test?" detailing their testing process [0:10:27].

    

Conclusion: A Divided Opinion [10:49]

The reviewer finds it difficult to give a definitive recommendation, highlighting the trade-offs.

• Persistent Indecision:
  • Despite months of use, the reviewer is "still torn" between the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 [0:10:49].
  • Notes that other long-term reviews also show mixed opinions, indicating that the initial hype has worn off [0:10:55].
• Personal Use Case:
  • Will continue to use the AirPods Pro 3 for travel due to their superior ANC [0:11:29].
  • May revert to AirPods Pro 2 for general daily use and use higher-end IEMs (e.g., Sennheiser IE600) for critical listening in quiet environments [0:11:16].