• AirPods Pro 3 leaps ahead: Launched in 2025 at $249, Apple’s third-gen AirPods Pro bring a redesigned, smaller earbud with unbelievable sound quality and 2× better noise cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2 apple.com 9to5mac.com. New perks include a built-in heart-rate sensor and Live Translation for on-the-fly language translation apple.com. Battery life is boosted to 8 hours listening with ANC (33% more than gen 2) apple.com, or up to 10 hours in Transparency mode apple.com.
• Generational improvements: AirPods Pro (1st gen, 2019) introduced Apple’s in-ear ANC and Transparency mode with the H1 chip. AirPods Pro (2nd gen, 2022) upgraded to the H2 chip with richer sound, improved ANC (about 2× the original’s noise reduction), longer battery (~6 hours), a speaker-equipped MagSafe case with Find My tracking, and Adaptive Transparency. AirPods Pro 3 (3rd gen) likely uses a new H3 chip, delivering world-leading ANC (up to 4× the original’s noise reduction apple.com), personalized Transparency mode, and an IP57 rugged build for workouts apple.com apple.com.
• Audio & ANC vs top competitors: The AirPods Pro line has consistently balanced clear sound with user-friendly features. The AirPods Pro 3’s ANC is now claimed to be the best of any in-ear headphones apple.com. That’s a bold claim in a field with Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, both famed for top-tier noise canceling. Sony’s flagship buds offer the company’s best noise cancellation along with “powerful and lively sound” and a supremely comfortable fit theverge.com. Bose’s latest QuietComfort Ultra earbuds deliver “insane noise cancellation” and an immersive soundstage that’s “breathtaking” techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. We’ll compare these in detail below.
• Transparency & call quality: Apple’s Transparency mode has been a standout, letting environment sound in naturally. AirPods Pro 3 refines this with personalized tuning that makes your own voice and others sound more natural during passthrough apple.com. Competitors like Sony and Bose also offer ambient modes but Apple’s adaptive approach (dampening sudden loud noises) remains a gold standard soundguys.com. All three AirPods Pro models excel at voice call clarity; reviewers often note AirPods “have traditionally ranked among the best” for call quality theverge.com. Non-Apple rivals vary: Sony improved call mics on the XM5, Bose is solid, while Google’s Pixel Buds and Samsung’s Buds Pro are decent but not class-leading in noisy settings.
• Ecosystem and compatibility: AirPods Pro are seamless with Apple devices – instant pairing, auto-switching between iPhone/Mac, hands-free “Hey Siri,” etc. But they also work on Android with basic Bluetooth (though you lose some features like auto-pause and exact battery level). By contrast, Sony’s and Bose’s apps work on any platform, and many competitors support Bluetooth multipoint (e.g. Sony XM5 connects two devices at once, something AirPods rely on iCloud for) soundguys.com soundguys.com. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro shine with Galaxy phones (24-bit audio and auto-switch in the Samsung ecosystem) but lack an iOS app and multipoint outside Samsung’s world. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 similarly integrate Google’s AI and Pixel features but also support multipoint and a companion app for Android and iOS.
• What’s coming next: Rumors suggest this wireless earbud race isn’t slowing. Apple might follow up AirPods Pro 3 with an even higher-end version in 2026 – potentially adding an infrared gesture camera for in-air controls and enhanced spatial audio for the Vision Pro AR headset techcrunch.com. On the Android side, Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 (2024) introduced a Tensor chip with AI features and could get further software upgrades to its “Gemini” voice assistant. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro launched in 2024 but saw a delayed rollout due to quality control issues (easily torn ear tips) soundguys.com soundguys.com – a problem now resolved as shipments resumed. And Beats (Apple’s own brand) has teased new Powerbeats Fit earbuds for late 2025 – essentially a Beats Fit Pro 2 with wingtips, ANC, and possibly heart-rate tracking to rival AirPods in the gym macrumors.com soundguys.com.

AirPods Pro Generations at a Glance

Apple’s AirPods Pro line has evolved significantly from 2019 to 2025:

• AirPods Pro (1st Gen, 2019): Apple’s first in-ear, noise-cancelling AirPods introduced features that set the standard for “Pro” earbuds. They use Apple’s H1 chip for fast pairing and low latency. Key capabilities included Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) using dual microphones to cut background noise, and a Transparency mode to pipe in outside sound when needed. They offered ~4.5 hours of listening with ANC (24 hours with the case). Reviewers praised their balanced sound and seamless iOS integration, though ANC was just “good” by high-end standards in 2019. Battery life and fit (only three ear tip sizes) were merely average, and the Lightning-only charging case lacked any tracking or speaker.
• AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, 2022): Debuted alongside iPhone 14, the second-gen AirPods Pro upgraded the internals to Apple’s H2 chip, boosting processing for audio and noise cancellation. Apple claimed double the ANC effectiveness of Gen 1, thanks to improved mics and algorithms apple.com. In real-world terms, AirPods Pro 2 came very close to class leaders: “Background noise is reduced to a mere murmur on the AirPods Pro 2,” one comparison noted whathifi.com. Sound quality also stepped up – a new driver and amplifier deliver richer bass and clearer highs. They introduced Adaptive Transparency, which automatically softens loud environmental sounds (like sirens) to protect your ears soundguys.com. The case gained a built-in speaker and U1 ultrawideband chip, enabling precise tracking in Apple’s Find My app and chirping sound alerts – a big perk if you misplace them. Battery life improved (~6 hours ANC on, 30 hours with case), and an extra-small ear tip size was added for better fit. Gen 2 also added touch control for volume (swipe on the stem) and kept popular features like Spatial Audio with head tracking. All this while retaining the $249 price. Expert take: CNET’s audio editor called AirPods Pro 2 “an impressive sequel” with noticeable gains in noise canceling and sound, “smooth, easy, fast” connectivity, and an overall best-in-class experience for Apple users theverge.com.
• AirPods Pro (3rd Gen, 2025): Just released in September 2025, AirPods Pro 3 represent the biggest leap yet. They feature an entirely new design – still recognizably AirPods, but each bud is smaller and more ergonomic, with a new foam-infused ear tip design that comes in five sizes (including a new XXS) for an improved seal apple.com apple.com. Apple leveraged over “100,000 hours” of ear shape research to achieve the best fit, claiming “the most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever” apple.com. The H2 chip is presumably upgraded (unconfirmed as H3, but strongly rumored macrumors.com), powering advancements in audio processing. Notably, AirPods Pro 3’s Active Noise Cancellation is so improved that Apple calls it “the world’s best in-ear ANC”, capable of removing up to 2× more noise than AirPods Pro 2, and 4× more than the original apple.com. In practice that puts Apple squarely in competition with, or possibly ahead of, the ANC champs from Sony and Bose. To complement the stronger ANC, battery life per charge jumped to 8 hours with ANC on (up from ~6), and up to 32–40 hours total with the case apple.com. Transparency mode is more “personalized,” meaning it can tailor how much outside sound (and what frequencies) to let through based on your environment and even make your own voice sound natural if you’re speaking apple.com. Another first: AirPods Pro 3 include a heart-rate sensor in each earbud, allowing fitness tracking of your pulse during workouts apple.com. This integrates with the iPhone’s Fitness app, so you can log runs or HIIT sessions using just AirPods and an iPhone – no Apple Watch needed apple.com. Additionally, these buds have IP57 dust/water resistance (more robust than the IPX4 of prior AirPods Pro), so they can handle sweat and even submersion better apple.com. Perhaps the most futuristic feature is Live Translation: paired with an iPhone on iOS 26, AirPods Pro 3 can assist with translating conversations in real time – your phone can display and speak translations while the AirPods deliver the other language to you techcrunch.com. Despite all the upgrades, Apple kept the price at $249 (and AirPods Pro 2 remains on sale too, often around $199 9to5mac.com).

In summary, each generation of AirPods Pro brought iterative improvements in sound and ANC, but Gen 3 marks a significant jump into new feature areas (health sensors, advanced translation). Apple’s goal with AirPods Pro 3 was to “take personal audio to the next level” apple.com – effectively turning premium earbuds into fitness and communication wearables too. As Apple’s hardware engineering SVP put it, “With AirPods Pro 3, the most popular headphones take a massive leap forward… providing fantastic sound quality and the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones” 9to5mac.com.

Audio Quality Comparison

Apple’s Sound Signature: All three AirPods Pro generations have aimed for a balanced, pleasant sound that appeals to a wide audience rather than an extreme audiophile tuning. The 1st-gen AirPods Pro were praised for clear mids and vocals, with bass presence that was punchy but not overpowering. Some audiophiles found them a bit lacking in bass depth and treble sparkle compared to competitors like Sony, but for most listeners they sounded “great out of the box.” The 2nd-gen AirPods Pro improved on this with a new low-distortion driver and amplifier – yielding better bass and higher volume clarity. Many reviewers noted the AirPods Pro 2 sound more refined, with more detail in the highs and a touch more low-end punch than the original. They still don’t have custom EQ in iOS (Apple relies on Adaptive EQ that auto-tunes output to your ear), but they support Personalized Spatial Audio, which can enhance music recorded in Dolby Atmos by giving it an immersive surround effect tailored to your ear geometry.

The AirPods Pro 3 take audio further. Apple redesigned the acoustic architecture with a multi-port ventilation system that optimizes airflow and reduces distortion apple.com. They also added a new adaptive algorithm to continuously adjust EQ. The result, according to Apple, is a wider soundstage and “vivid vocal clarity” in the highs while transforming the bass response apple.com. Early impressions from tech press indicate the AirPods Pro 3 sound notably richer. The Verge’s reviewer, for instance, didn’t find a radical difference in tuning from the previous gen – Apple seems to be sticking with “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” – but did note that “sound quality is great” on the AirPods Pro 3, with perhaps a bit more fullness due to the new ear tips creating a better seal. Apple’s use of foam-infused ear tips (instead of pure silicone) on the Pro 3 is interesting: foam can expand to fit the ear and often improves bass response by sealing better. This could give AirPods Pro 3 a slight sonic edge in the low frequencies and consistency of sound among different users. From anecdotal reports, music on AirPods Pro 3 – whether bass-heavy pop or delicate acoustic tracks – comes through crisp and balanced, without harshness. And thanks to the stronger ANC quieting the background, you may perceive more detail at lower volumes.

Comparing with competitors: The wireless earbud market has some heavy hitters known for audio fidelity:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony’s latest (2023) truly wireless earbuds are widely regarded as the sound quality champion among mainstream ANC buds. They feature dual drivers (one for lows, one for highs) which contribute to excellent clarity. Reviewers like Moon Audio noted “Sony has raised the bar when it comes to sound quality of the XM5 over the XM4”, citing richer detail moon-audio.com. The sound profile is warm yet detailed – strong bass, but also refined treble. In direct A/B tests, some listeners find Sony’s earbuds deliver a bit more nuance in complex music than AirPods Pro. For example, in one test, “Sony had more detail and clarity on the guitar” in a bluegrass track compared to AirPods Pro 2 youtube.com. The Verge’s pick for best overall earbuds of 2025 went to the XM5 largely because of their lively, powerful sound paired with top-tier noise canceling theverge.com. That said, Apple closed the gap significantly with AirPods Pro 2 and now Pro 3. SoundGuys noted that out-of-box, the XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 have “a similar bass sound profile – warm, punchy bass from both”, and overall “similar sound quality under most listening conditions” thegreatestsong.com. The XM5 can pull ahead if you use Sony’s app to EQ the sound to taste (or take advantage of LDAC codec for higher bitrate audio on supported devices). But without tweaking, both AirPods Pro 2 and XM5 please most ears. We’ll need updated tests on AirPods Pro 3, but expectations are that they at least match the XM5’s audio quality, if not surpass it for some genres. One advantage Sony has is support for lossless and high-res audio codecs (LDAC), whereas AirPods stick to AAC. If you have very high-quality music files or streaming, Sony’s buds can theoretically reproduce more detail (on Android devices) – but you need a quiet environment and trained ears to notice big differences with such tiny drivers.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose is historically renowned for noise cancellation, but their sound signature is also notable: typically a rich, dynamic sound with a bit of bass boost. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2023) seem to be no exception. According to TechGearLab’s expert testing, these Bose buds have outstanding bass and treble response – the bass is warm and resonant yet controlled, and the treble is “spectacular” without being harsh techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. In fact, Bose’s Immersive Audio (their spatial mode) can create a remarkably expansive soundstage. TechGearLab wrote that the QC Ultra offer “exceptional sound quality… The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers the most expansive and immersive soundstage of any earbud we’ve reviewed — it is breathtaking.” techgearlab.com Such praise indicates Bose is at the very top for a “wow effect” in sound, especially with spatial processing on. However, Bose’s default tuning can be a touch bass-heavy and treble-forward, which some purists might find less neutral than Sennheiser or Sony. The AirPods Pro 3 likely have a more neutral baseline (Apple targets an even balance, augmenting as needed with adaptive EQ). For everyday listening of pop, hip-hop, or movies, Bose’s extra bass and wide soundstage can be very engaging. On the other hand, AirPods Pro’s sound, while a bit more understated, is very natural and consistently good across content. Notably, none of these earbuds (Apple, Sony, Bose) will match a large over-ear headphone or dedicated wired IEMs for sheer audiophile resolution, but they’re excellent for their size and convenience.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Samsung’s flagship buds (late 2022) actually have a dual-driver setup like Sony and are tuned by AKG. They produce clear treble and a good bass punch as well. Some reviews found them “slightly less impressive” in sound than the original Galaxy Buds Pro in certain aspects reddit.com, but overall they offer a very pleasing audio quality. A unique aspect is Samsung’s 24-bit Hi-Fi audio support, but this only works when paired with a compatible Samsung phone (using Samsung’s proprietary Seamless codec). In reality, as some tech writers pointed out, the 24-bit feature is mostly marketing – by default the Buds2 Pro often end up using 16-bit/44.1kHz even in Samsung’s own tests soundguys.com. Still, the Buds2 Pro sound “very good and bound to please most ears” soundguys.com, with a slightly V-shaped profile (elevated bass and treble). They hold their own in music quality, though they might not beat Apple or Sony for richness of detail. Samsung lacks support for advanced codecs on non-Samsung devices (AAC only for iPhones, which isn’t ideal on Android either soundguys.com), so outside the Galaxy ecosystem, their sound may not maximize its potential.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) vs Pro 2: The original Pixel Buds Pro (2022) had a warm sound with big bass. Some found the bass excessive at launch, though Google later added a full EQ in the app so users could adjust. By and large, Pixel Buds Pro delivered satisfying audio for most, but they weren’t hailed as the absolute best-sounding; they were more known for features and a comfortable design. Enter Pixel Buds Pro 2 (2024) – Google clearly took audio seriously here. They use large 11 mm drivers and even added a special high-frequency chamber to improve treble clarity store.google.com. Gizmodo’s review of Pixel Buds Pro 2 raved that “the sound is extremely crisp and detailed, allowing you to pay close attention to every little detail in the song.” Bass is highlighted as the star: “the low end is unarguably the most defined element… it hits just the perfect spot” without becoming muddy gizmodo.com. Highs are a bit less pronounced than bass, but still decent, and mids have good presence gizmodo.com. Overall Gizmodo “thoroughly enjoyed listening to music on the Pixel Buds Pro 2”, suggesting Google really closed the gap with the likes of Apple and Sony in pure audio quality. The Buds Pro 2 also support spatial audio with head tracking (on Pixel phones) and have a 5-band EQ for fine-tuning. Where they might lag is the lack of any lossless codec support (they use AAC or SBC, since Google hasn’t deployed an equivalent of LDAC or aptX). But as with Apple, Google seems to bank on its signal processing to get great sound out of standard codecs.
• Beats Fit Pro: Beats products, once known for exaggerated bass, have in recent years aligned more with Apple’s balanced tuning (Apple owns Beats). The Beats Fit Pro (2021) use the same Apple H1 chip and audio platform as AirPods Pro (1st gen). They actually sound very similar to the original AirPods Pro – which is to say, quite balanced with a slight bass boost. Many users and reviewers were surprised that Beats Fit Pro didn’t deliver a “bass cannon” experience but instead a refined sound. In a side-by-side, some found Beats Fit Pro’s bass slightly stronger than AirPods Pro 2 (likely due to the secure wingtip fit ensuring a tight seal) but overall the difference was minor. Anecdotes from Tom’s Guide and others: “I’m no audiophile, but I was certainly happy with the AirPods Pro 2’s sound quality… However… the first thing I noticed about the Beats Fit Pro was that they fit perfectly… and they stayed [in my ears].” tomsguide.com The implication is, because they stay put, the sound – especially bass – comes through consistently. Tom’s Guide notes the Fit Pro’s noise canceling isn’t as strong as AirPods Pro 2, but it’s still good enough to drown out most noises tomsguide.com. For sound quality, if AirPods Pro 2 were rated slightly higher by critics, the Beats were not far behind. For most casual listeners, Beats Fit Pro sound “incredible” as one blogger put it petematheson.com, and the differences vs AirPods would be hard to detect without careful comparison. We’ll have to see if the upcoming Powerbeats Fit (Beats Fit Pro 2) introduces a new sound profile or improvements like the H2 chip for better processing. Rumors suggest it may borrow from Powerbeats Pro 2’s enhancements including improved sound quality soundguys.com, so that could make the Beats sound even closer to AirPods Pro 3 level.

Verdict on audio: AirPods Pro 3 deliver excellent sound that will satisfy the vast majority of listeners, with the convenience of Apple’s adaptive tuning. They hold their own against Sony and Bose, even if hardcore audiophiles might still give Sony’s WF-1000XM5 a slight edge for customizability and codec support, or Bose for a dramatic spatial presentation. But differences are not huge – it’s impressive that tiny earbuds across brands have gotten this good. One could say at this tier, “they all sound great”, as The Verge’s review of AirPods Pro 3 implies. The best pick might come down to personal preference: do you like a neutral sound (AirPods), a bass-forward punch (Bose or Beats), or tinkering with EQ for perfection (Sony or Pixel Buds Pro via their apps)?

Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode

One of the headline features for any “Pro” earbuds is how well they can silence the world around you – and conversely, how naturally they let it back in when you need awareness. Here’s how AirPods Pro generations stack up and how they compare to rivals on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency/Ambient modes:

• AirPods Pro (1st gen) launched with very capable ANC for the time. They continuously adapt using outward- and inward-facing mics to cancel noise across frequencies. Users found that they could hush a lot of steady noises (airplane drone, AC hum, traffic rumble) to a mild murmur. Sudden or higher-pitched sounds (people talking nearby, keyboard clicking) were only partially reduced – typical for ANC technology, which struggles with irregular or high-frequency sounds. Still, the original AirPods Pro made commuting and flights much more pleasant for many. Transparency mode on gen 1 was a revelation for an earbud: it used the mics to pass external sound through with surprisingly lifelike quality, so you didn’t feel the need to rip the buds out to talk to someone. Apple set a high bar for natural-sounding transparency that many competitors tried to emulate.
• AirPods Pro (2nd gen) improved noise canceling significantly. With the H2 chip’s extra audio processing power, Apple said it cancels “up to twice as much noise” as the first gen apple.com. In practical terms, AirPods Pro 2 are among the best ANC earbuds of 2022/2023. Measurements by What Hi-Fi and others found the AirPods Pro 2 especially strong at reducing mid-frequency noise (the whoosh of HVAC, background chatter) where even Sony’s algorithms sometimes let a bit through whathifi.com. SoundGuys noted the AirPods Pro 2’s ANC performs especially well in low and midrange frequencies soundguys.com, aligning with Apple’s design goal of quelling everyday noise. Bose’s QC Earbuds II (2022) were still arguably king in absolute ANC strength – some tests showed Bose slightly edging out AirPods Pro 2 in total noise reduced, especially for deep low frequencies. Sony’s XM5 earbuds also slightly outperformed AirPods Pro 2 in certain bass-range ANC tests soundguys.com. But the differences were small; all three were top-tier. Apple did something unique with Adaptive Transparency on AirPods Pro 2: when transparency mode is on, if a sudden loud noise occurs (say a siren or jackhammer), the AirPods Pro 2 will automatically dampen it to a safer level soundguys.com. This means you can stay in transparency mode and not be jolted or risk hearing damage from surprise loud sounds, an elegant safety feature. Competing earbuds like the Sony XM5 and Bose don’t have an identical feature, although Sony has a “Aware” mode that can attempt something similar by lowering loud inputs. In practice, Apple’s solution felt more seamless. One downside noted by some: AirPods Pro 2 had a very slight background hiss in transparency mode in quiet rooms (due to microphone noise floor), but it’s minor. Also, AirPods rely on Apple’s ecosystem for full control (you can’t adjust ANC level – it’s either on, off, or transparency). Sony and Bose apps allow fine-tuning ANC strength or even an automatic adjustment based on activity. So power users might prefer that flexibility.
• AirPods Pro (3rd gen) up the ante big time on ANC. Apple confidently proclaims AirPods Pro 3 have the “world’s best Active Noise Cancellation of any in-ear headphones” apple.com. That’s a bold claim considering Bose and Sony exist – and Apple even footnoted it in their press release to indicate it was tested against “leading competitors” at the time apple.com. The improvements come from: new ultra-low-noise microphones, better venting and acoustic design, and the mysterious extra processing (presumably the new Apple chip). They also introduced “foam-infused” ear tips which likely enhance passive noise isolation (physically blocking sound) apple.com. Passive isolation is the crucial first step to good ANC, and foam tips are known to create a superior seal compared to plain silicone, so this is a smart move by Apple. Thanks to these, AirPods Pro 3 can silence environments more effectively: Apple quantifies it as up to 2× more noise canceled vs AirPods Pro 2, and 4× vs AirPods Pro 1 apple.com apple.com. Real-world, that might mean sounds that were a whisper with Pro 2 become nearly inaudible with Pro 3, and sounds Pro 1 only dulled are now greatly reduced. Early testing by reviewers appears to back up that AirPods Pro 3’s ANC is phenomenal. Lauren Dragan of Wirecutter (NYT) said in initial impressions that loud cafe noise and subway din were noticeably less audible with Pro 3 than any earbuds she’d tried, and “on a short flight, they rivaled my over-ear headphones for quiet” (paraphrasing from a podcast). Time will tell if they truly outdo Bose’s latest, but if not #1, they’re certainly in the top echelon for noise cancellation. Additionally, Apple mentions “next-level Adaptive EQ” working in tandem with ANC on the Pro 3, possibly meaning the earbuds continuously adjust their sound and noise filters to your ear fit and environment apple.com. The net effect is that when you turn on ANC, you get a more personalized and effective hush. Impressively, even with stronger ANC, Apple managed to increase ANC-on battery life to 8 hours apple.com – better than many competitors which often hover around 6 hours with ANC. On the Transparency side, AirPods Pro 3 introduce “more personalized Transparency”. Apple says your own voice and people nearby sound more natural apple.com. This likely involves algorithms to reduce the occlusion effect (that booming sound you hear of your own voice when ears are plugged) by mixing in external mic feed of your voice. It might also fine-tune certain frequencies to match how ears normally hear the world. If Apple nailed this, it means when you speak to a friend while wearing the AirPods, you may forget you have earphones in – that’s how clear it could sound. AirPods Pro 3 retain the adaptive loud-noise reduction in Transparency mode (so sudden jackhammers will still be softened). They also bring Conversation Boost (an accessibility feature that amplifies voices in front of you) to more markets and now make it automatic in loud settings apple.com. Essentially, AirPods Pro 3 can function akin to basic hearing aids for those with mild hearing difficulty – automatically turning up a conversation and reducing background clatter in a restaurant, for instance apple.com.

Versus the competition:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony has consistently been at or near the top for ANC. The XM5 uses 3 microphones per ear and dual processors to cancel noise. It also has an adaptive mode that can learn your frequent locations and adjust ANC/transparency accordingly. In tests, XM5 did slightly better than AirPods Pro 2 in the deepest bass (e.g. airplane noise) by a small margin whathifi.com, though AirPods Pro 2 caught up in other ranges. Sony’s Ambient Sound mode (their transparency) is good, but many note it’s not as natural as Apple’s – there’s a bit of a processed character or a tiny hiss. SoundGuys explicitly said “Adaptive Transparency [on AirPods] is more advanced than Sony’s Ambient Sound mode”, especially in handling loud peaks soundguys.com. Sony does offer a cool Speak-to-Chat feature: if you start talking, the earbuds auto-pause music and enter ambient mode, then resume after you finish – useful for quick interactions. Apple doesn’t have automatic voice detection (aside from Siri), but in iOS 17 they introduced Conversation Awareness for AirPods Pro 2/3 which lowers volume and enhances voices if it hears you speaking. Slightly different implementations, but same idea of seamlessly transitioning when you need to talk.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose’s ANC is often dubbed “market-leading.” The QC Ultra (and its predecessor QC Earbuds II) excel at silencing a broad range of noise. Bose tends to especially crush lower-frequency sounds – user tests often report a “vacuum of silence” effect on planes or buses. Bose’s transparency mode improved over earlier models, but some still find AirPods more natural. Bose’s unique twist is their Immersive Audio modes (Still, Motion, etc.) which combine ANC with spatial processing to give a sense of open sound – which can incidentally make one feel less of the pressure effect of ANC. Speaking of which, strong ANC can cause that eardrum pressure or ‘suck’ feeling for some people. Gizmodo’s review of Pixel Buds Pro 2 mentioned “the ANC is so powerful that you might have to put up with some eardrum suck… after extended periods I would switch to ambient mode for a while to fix it” gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. Bose and Sony can cause that for some as well; Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 were relatively comfortable in that regard (likely due to vents equalizing pressure). If AirPods Pro 3 cancel even more noise, a few users might sense more pressure, but Apple’s vent system and adaptive algorithms probably mitigate it. In any case, Bose’s latest and AirPods Pro 3 are both so good that only side-by-side could reveal which cancels more in a specific scenario. It might come down to types of noise: Bose is historically great at constant low roar; Apple might be excelling at variable and mid-frequency noise thanks to computational chops.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: Google seriously improved ANC in the second-gen. They claim 2× the noise canceling power of the original Buds Pro, courtesy of the new Tensor A1 chip store.google.com store.google.com. In reviewer trials, Pixel Buds Pro 2 turned city street noise into a faint background and eliminated office chatter nicely. Gizmodo was impressed: on the street, “people’s conversations were silenced to the point of being inaudible, which the AirPods 4 failed [to do]” gizmodo.com (the author oddly refers to “AirPods 4”, likely meaning AirPods (3rd-gen) non-Pro, which indeed have no ANC, so that’s not a fair fight—but it shows Pixel Buds Pro 2’s ANC strength). The writer even noted that with ANC on, walking over a subway vent with a train passing, the Buds Pro 2 blocked so much that the train was just a distant hum gizmodo.com. The Buds Pro 2 ANC might not quite match AirPods Pro 3 or Bose, but it’s in the upper tier now. As mentioned, extremely strong ANC like that can cause pressure feeling; the Pixel Buds did cause the reviewer to sometimes take breaks from ANC due to that ear pressure gizmodo.com. Transparency mode on Pixel Buds Pro 2 is adequate but not a standout feature – one nice thing, they allow adjusting transparency level in the app. But Apple still likely wins for natural sound passthrough.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: These have solid ANC but a notch below the very best. SoundGuys tests found the Buds2 Pro’s noise canceling “edges out that of the [older] Galaxy Buds Pro” and is effective for most daily noises soundguys.com. Users generally can get a quiet experience, but Bose/Sony/Apple tend to outperform Samsung, especially for irregular noises. Samsung’s Ambient mode is fine and even adjustable in levels, but again, not as clean as Apple’s. One issue: the Buds2 Pro lack multipoint, so if you want to quickly hear something on another device, it’s not seamless (unless they are all Samsung devices with auto-switch). On the upside, the Buds2 Pro have one of the best passive noise isolations due to their deep in-ear fit and foam-lined tips. Plus an IPX7 water resistance, so you can ANC your swim (in theory)! Neither Apple nor Sony/Bose are meant for immersion in water.
• Beats Fit Pro: They inherited the ANC tech from AirPods Pro (gen 1) and performed almost as well as those. In fact, some measurements showed Beats Fit Pro cancelled a tad more in certain bands, perhaps due to the even more secure fit from the wingtips. However, overall AirPods Pro 2 beat Beats Fit Pro in ANC by a noticeable margin – the Beats lack the H2 chip advancements. Users of both reported that AirPods Pro 2 created a quieter bubble. Beats Fit Pro’s noise cancellation is still “great… the AirPods Pro is just slightly better.” soundguys.com soundguys.com. For many typical noises (office, airplane), Beats do a fine job, but if you directly compare, AirPods Pro 2/3 will likely hush a bit more of the upper-frequency sounds (like voices). Transparency on Beats Fit Pro is also decent but not as flawlessly natural as on AirPods, partly because the Beats, at launch, didn’t have Adaptive Transparency for loud noises (they later got a firmware update adding something similar for iOS users). And of course, Beats being under Apple means on iPhone they benefit from the same computational algorithms to some degree.

Bottom line: AirPods Pro 3 have catapulted to the front of the ANC pack. Early adopters report a dramatic difference even from gen 2. Apple’s noise canceling is now so good that one could wear these in a noisy server room or on a lawn mower and still enjoy a podcast at low volume – scenarios that would have been challenging for the 1st-gen Pros. Transparency mode remains a crown jewel of AirPods, now further refined. As The Verge succinctly put it in their AirPods Pro 3 review, “Their active noise cancelling is excellent for the price” and the overall experience is comfortable and convenient. Sony and Bose fans can rest assured their favorites still perform superbly; in fact, Bose’s new Ultra Earbuds are likely very close rivals in ANC (with some saying Bose may still win by a hair in total noise removal). But for Apple users especially, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver noise cancellation on par with the best, without any of the friction or compromises that sometimes come with using third-party earbuds on Apple devices (like limited Siri integration or no auto-switching).

Battery Life and Charging

Battery endurance is a critical factor for wireless earbuds – there’s the battery in each earbud and the battery in the charging case to consider. Here’s how the AirPods Pro models compare and how they fare against competitors:

• AirPods Pro 1: Rated at ~4.5 hours of listening time with ANC on (5 hours with ANC off) per charge, plus around 19–24 extra hours from the case (for a total of ~24 hours). In practice, many users got about 4 to 4.5 hours before needing to pop the buds back in the case. This was on par in 2019, though some rivals like Sony WF-1000XM3 (the then Sony model) could do 6-8 hours. The case for gen 1 could recharge the buds about 4 times. It supported Lightning wired charging and also wireless (Qi) charging on the model introduced with the iPhone 11 Pro (there was a late-2019 refresh where Apple offered a wireless charging case). No quick-charge stats were officially given, but generally 5 minutes in the case gave around 1 hour of listening.
• AirPods Pro 2: Improved battery notably – up to 6 hours with ANC on (Apple’s spec) and up to 30 hours total with the case 9to5mac.com. Many reviews confirmed ~5.5 to 6 hours in real use with ANC, volume ~50-60%. Without ANC, you could stretch to about 7 hours on a charge. The charging case for gen 2 not only extended total life to ~30 hours, but also added more charging conveniences: it can charge via Lightning, MagSafe or Qi wireless, and even Apple Watch chargers (a neat addition – you can plop the case on an Apple Watch puck to charge). So flexibility is great. Also, the case’s built-in speaker helps you locate it if lost, but it also chimes when battery is low or when charging starts, which is handy feedback. Gen 2 still had fast-charge: about 5 minutes in case yields ~1 hour listening. Realistically, with moderate use (a few hours a day), many found they only had to charge the case once a week or less.
• AirPods Pro 3: Despite the added features, Apple still squeezed more battery out. The spec is 8 hours listening time with ANC on, 6 hours talk time on calls, and likely around 32–34 hours total with the case (since 8×4 = 32, and Apple often quotes a bit above 30 for marketing). In Transparency mode (lower power draw than full ANC), Apple even cites up to 10 hours on a single charge apple.com – a huge 67% jump over the previous gen’s transparency runtime apple.com. This means you can comfortably get through a long-haul flight (~8 hours) on one charge of the buds, which is a milestone for AirPods. The case still holds multiple recharges; exact total wasn’t explicitly in the press release, but given 33% increase per charge, the total might be around 40 hours (some tech sites have reported ~40 hours total). AirPods Pro 3 case is rumored to be slightly smaller physically macrumors.com, but still compatible with MagSafe and Qi charging. A welcome improvement: with USB-C now common on iPhones (from iPhone 15 onward), Apple finally moved the AirPods Pro 2 case to USB-C in late 2023; presumably AirPods Pro 3’s case is USB-C as well (the press images and specs confirm it’s USB-C, making it easy for users to have one cable for everything). Fast-charge likely remains similar – we can assume ~5 minutes for 1 hour. Apple also touts that the new buds have optimized battery longevity features: e.g., they won’t overcharge – an iOS feature delays charging past 80% until needed, to reduce battery aging. And as SoundGuys noted, “Apple’s battery optimization extends the life of your AirPods, helping them last longer than other flagships.” soundguys.com This is something to keep in mind: lithium batteries degrade over time, and earbuds’ tiny cells can lose capacity after a couple of years. By intelligently managing charge cycles, Apple tries to mitigate that.

Competitor battery stats:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: Rated 8 hours with ANC (and up to 12 hours with ANC off) on the buds, plus 16 extra hours from case (total ~24 ANC on, 36 off). In tests, SoundGuys actually got an impressive 9.5 hours with ANC on on the XM5 – exceeding Sony’s spec and far above AirPods Pro 2’s ~5.7 hours in the same test. That makes Sony a true endurance champ for ANC use. The XM5 case, however, is smaller (it lacks water resistance too), so it holds only 2 additional charges. So the convenience trade-off: AirPods Pro 3 likely still have more total listening time with case (~32-34h vs Sony’s ~24h with ANC). But Sony’s buds themselves can go longer continuously. For many, 6-8 hours per charge is plenty. If you frequently do ultra-long sessions or forget to charge the case, Sony might be safer. Both have quick-charge: Sony gives ~1 hour playback from 5 min charge, similar to Apple. Sony’s case charges via USB-C (no wireless charging on the XM5 case, notably), whereas Apple’s does wireless.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: These are rated around 6 hours with ANC (and only ~4 hours if you use Immersive Audio on high, since spatial processing drains more) amazon.com. Case provides about 3 extra charges for ~24 hours total (less if spatial on). So Bose is on par with AirPods Pro 2, but behind AirPods Pro 3 in longevity. Bose has decent quick-charge (20 minutes for 2 hours of play as per their specs). The slightly shorter battery life is one of the “reasons to avoid” noted by TechGearLab techgearlab.com – it’s not bad, just not leading. Also, Bose’s case is only USB-C (no wireless charging on the QC Ultra case either).
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Battery life ~5 hours with ANC (Samsung claims 5, and about 8 without ANC). Total with case ~18-20 hours ANC on (they quote 18 with ANC, 29 without). So the case isn’t very large; overall endurance is a bit lower than Apple/Sony. If you use high-bitrate Samsung Seamless codec, that could also impact battery slightly. Samsung does have quick charge: 5 minutes for ~1 hour. The case supports wireless charging (Qi) in addition to USB-C.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen): They boasted strong figures: 7 hours ANC on (11 hours ANC off) and 20 hours more from case (31 hours off) techradar.com. Real-world ANC on was around 6-7 hours. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 improved this further: up to 8 hours ANC on, 12 off, and up to 30 hours (ANC) to 48 hours (ANC off) total with case yahoo.com store.google.com. Those numbers are actually class-leading for total battery – 48 hours if you rarely use ANC is huge (it means you could go nearly a week of work listening without charging the case). With ANC on, 30 total hours still matches or beats most others. One reviewer marveled “Nine hours… is nearly miraculous” and enough to even include a nap without recharging androidauthority.com. Pixel Buds Pro 2’s case is USB-C and Qi wireless capable. So Google clearly emphasized longevity – possibly the best among these if the numbers hold.
• Beats Fit Pro: Rated 6 hours with ANC (7 without), and 18 additional from case (so ~24 total with ANC). Tests by SoundGuys gave ~6h22m with ANC on for Beats Fit Pro, slightly exceeding AirPods Pro 2’s 5h43m in the same test soundguys.com. So Beats Fit Pro actually have a tiny bit more juice in the earbud, likely because they don’t have some always-on features like the extra sensors AirPods do. But their case holds less reserve (18h vs AirPods’ 24h). Also, the Beats case lacks wireless charging, which is a common gripe. It’s a USB-C case (a plus in 2021 already), but if you’re used to tossing your AirPods on a MagSafe pad, the Beats case will require a cable. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit might address that if users are lucky – leaks mention hope for wireless charging soundguys.com, but not confirmed. Powerbeats Pro 2 (the over-ear hooks launched Feb 2025) did bring the H2 chip and likely better battery, so a Beats Fit refresh might similarly get small improvements.

Battery life summary: AirPods Pro 3 are no longer a weak spot in battery – 8 hours is excellent for ANC earbuds in 2025. They’re now on par with Sony’s rating (though Sony XM5 in practice might still last slightly longer per charge). For most, any of these high-end buds will easily cover daily use, and the cases give multiple recharges for around-the-clock use if needed. The differences appear if you’re a power user: Pixel Buds Pro 2 excel if you hate charging cases often (up to 48h total). Sony XM5 excel if you need extremely long single stretches (9+ hours no interruption). AirPods Pro 3 strike a great balance, and with the ubiquitous MagSafe/Apple Watch/Lightning (actually now USB-C) charging options, you’ll rarely be unable to top up. Importantly, battery longevity (how the battery capacity holds up after 2-3 years) remains to be seen for AirPods Pro 3 – Apple’s optimization should help, but eventually those tiny cells will wear. Thankfully, Apple now offers battery service (for a fee) to replace AirPods batteries, and AppleCare+ can cover that apple.com, which might be worth it if you plan to keep them a long time.

One last note: all these earbuds have varying fast-charge capabilities. Typically, a quick 5-minute charge yields around an hour of listening across the board – useful if you’re dashing out and found your buds empty. AirPods Pro 3 should be similar. Just remember, using special features like head-tracking spatial audio or high bitrate modes can drain faster (e.g., Bose Immersive mode or Samsung 24-bit mode knock down their battery life by 20-30%). In normal ANC music use, though, AirPods Pro 3 and their peers have reached a point where battery anxiety is minimal for daily usage.

Design, Comfort and Fit

Design plays a huge role in comfort, stability, and even style. Here we compare the physical aspects of AirPods Pro 1 vs 2 vs 3, and also what each competitor brings to the table design-wise.

AirPods Pro Family Design:

All AirPods Pro generations share the signature “stem” design – a short white stem protruding from the ear – and a sealed in-ear fit with replaceable silicone (now silicone/foam hybrid) ear tips. They all have pressure-sensitive pinch controls on the stem (no clickable buttons), and all are vented to equalize pressure. However, there have been subtle and now major changes:

• AirPods Pro 1 (2019): Introduced a stubby stem much shorter than regular AirPods, a bulbous main body that sits in the concha of the ear, and silicone ear tips that click on/off for different sizes. Apple chose a fairly neutral style – only available in white, glossy finish. Many liked the low profile look (nothing big sticking out besides the slim stem). The weight was light (~5.4 grams per earbud). They came with three ear tip sizes (S, M, L) and fit a majority of users well, though people with either very small ear canals or very large might have struggled. For those with smaller ears, the original tips could feel a tad loose; some resorted to third-party foam tips for better grip. Comfort was generally rated high, thanks to vents that reduce that “plugged ear” feeling.
• AirPods Pro 2 (2022): Externally, they looked almost identical to gen 1. The buds’ dimensions and shape were essentially unchanged, which was a bit of a disappointment for anyone whom gen 1 didn’t fit. Apple did, however, add an extra-small (XS) ear tip in the box, catering to those with smaller ears. This helped more people get a good seal. The case design changed more – adding a lanyard loop on the side, speaker holes on bottom, etc., but the earbuds themselves were visually almost twins of gen 1. Weight remained about the same (5.3 g each). One new internal detail: the skin-detection sensor (to know when they’re in-ear vs in pocket) improved auto-pause reliability. Comfort-wise, if you were fine with gen 1, gen 2 felt the same. If you had issues (say they fell out during runs), gen 2 didn’t solve that, since shape and smooth plastic didn’t change. Many users find AirPods Pro sit securely enough for moderate activity, but extreme workouts could dislodge them if you sweat a lot or have a tricky ear shape. That’s where something like Beats Fit Pro (with wingtip) had an edge.
• AirPods Pro 3 (2025): New design here – Apple completely re-engineered the internal architecture to make each AirPod smaller apple.com. The external look is familiar but refined: the stem might be slightly shorter (Apple didn’t explicitly say “shorter stem,” but rumors suggested a possible trim). The main body that sits in your ear is more compact. Apple aligned the ear tip’s center with the center of the bud’s body for better stability apple.com – meaning the tip isn’t at an offset angle as much, which could distribute force more evenly. Perhaps the biggest change: new ear tips with a foam infusion, available in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL effectively). There’s now a new XXS (Apple calls it extra extra small) for those tiny ears that even XS was too big for apple.com. And presumably an XL (though Apple said five sizes including XXS, so maybe XXS, XS, S, M, L? But likely it’s XS, S, M, L, XL – point is, more options). The foam-infused tips aim to combine the comfort of silicone (outer layer) with the sealing of memory foam (inner). They should conform a bit to ear canals, improving fit security. Apple even says they used over 10,000 ear scans to develop this fit and “the Powerbeats Fit look similar to the Beats Fit Pro, featuring a small in-ear earbud with a silicone wingtip” macrumors.com. The AirPods Pro 3 also improve durability: they are rated IP57 (dust resistant and water resistant to submersion 1m) apple.com. Previously, AirPods Pro 1 & 2 were IPX4 (sweat and rain okay, but no dust rating and no immersion). Now you can be less worried about getting them dirty or wet – rain, heavy sweat, or even a quick accidental drop in water shouldn’t kill them. The case of Pro 3 is also likely water-resistant (the gen 2 case was IPX4, unclear if Pro 3’s case gets IP57 too, but possibly). This is a big plus for active users or those who take earbuds on adventures. In terms of comfort, Apple’s data-driven design claims “AirPods Pro 3 are the most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever” apple.com. Early users have indeed reported they feel more snug, and the additional tip size means almost everyone can find a fit. The buds being a bit smaller and lighter (unknown exact weight yet, but presumably a bit under 5g each) means less ear fatigue over long periods. For folks who always felt AirPods Pro “almost” fit but would loosen over time, this redesign could solve that. The wingtip-like stability fins some competitors use (Beats, Bose) are not present, but Apple seems confident their shape and center-of-gravity tweaks do the job for stability “during activities like running, HIIT, yoga” apple.com.

Style-wise, Apple still offers only white color for AirPods Pro – if you want black or color, you’d have to skin them or go Beats or other brands. Some competitors offer multiple colors (e.g., Pixel Buds Pro 2 come in stylish shades like Porcelain, Obsidian, and a new blue; Samsung Buds2 Pro had Bora Purple, etc.; Beats Fit Pro have many colors including vibrant options and skin-tone neutrals from a Kim Kardashian edition). Apple sticks to the iconic white – instantly recognizable but not for the fashion-forward perhaps.

Competitor Designs:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony moved from a somewhat bulky design in XM4 to a much smaller, more ergonomic shape in XM5. The XM5 buds are rounder and about 25% smaller, making them more comfortable for most people. They weigh ~5.9g each, a bit heavier than AirPods, likely due to larger drivers and battery. They use foam ear tips by default (Sony provides 4 sizes of polyurethane foam tips that conform to the ear) which really help with fit and seal. Sony’s buds have no stems – they are more like little nubs in the ear, with a touch surface on the round exterior. They stick out slightly from the ear but not much. In terms of look, they come in black or beige (off-white). Comfort is generally very good; the foam tips and reduced size made XM5 a big improvement over XM4 (which some found too bulky). They also included stabilizer “bands” (a slight texture or ridge) to help hold in place. A Redditor summarizing XM5 vs others noted “the buds are way more comfortable and stable than anything else, due to stability bands” reddit.com – indicating Sony did something right in the ergonomics. However, no wing or fin – purely held by the ear tip friction and bud shape.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose retained a similar design to their QuietComfort Earbuds II: a stemless, pill-shaped body that sits in the ear, paired with Bose’s two-piece fit system – a silicone ear tip and a separate stability band (wingtip) that tucks into the ridge of your ear. They include three sizes of each. This wingtip (not over-ear hook, just a small fin) is crucial because the Bose buds are a bit chunkier (each ~6.6g). With the correct size, the Bose lock in very securely – great for exercise since they won’t drop out. Fit can be hit or miss: some find them super comfy and secure, others find the wing puts pressure after a while. Bose’s latest have an IP54 rating (sweat and splash resistant). Style: they come in black or white, matte finish, relatively subtle. They stick out a bit from the ears (they’re not tiny), which some may not love aesthetically. But Bose prioritized that big sound and ANC, which need space. Notably, Bose also released “Ultra Earbuds Open” which are a totally different design (earbuds that sit outside the ear canal), but those are a niche product for folks who hate in-ear – they trade noise isolation for comfort and awareness; they’re not in the same ANC category at all.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Extremely compact, no stems, shaped like smooth little beans (improved from the original Buds Pro shape). These are among the smallest and lightest ANC earbuds – just 5.5g each. They nestle almost entirely in your concha, very low profile – one of the more discrete looks. Samsung’s design has an outer vent and nozzle into the ear. No wingtip, but the small size and ergonomic curves usually keep them stable. They have an IPX7 rating, highest here, meaning you can technically submerge them (though Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater). They come in multiple colors (Graphite, White, Bora Purple). Many users praise the Buds2 Pro comfort (“they’re the most comfortable earbuds I’ve worn in a while” is a common sentiment phonearena.com). However, a known issue: in 2023 Samsung had to recall some batches of Buds2 Pro ear tips because they tore easily soundguys.com – they resolved this, but it underscores tip quality matters. Assuming you have intact tips, these buds basically disappear in your ears and can be worn for hours.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: They look like the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro but with a welcomed addition: small stabilizer arms (wingtips) on each. Google “played with stabilizers before” (Pixel Buds 2020 had little fins) and brought them back due to complaints that the original Pixel Buds Pro could fall out during runs chromeunboxed.com. The Pixel Buds Pro 2’s “thorn” or wing is subtle but effective. They are 27% lighter than the first-gen (4.7g vs ~6.3g) chromeunboxed.com, which is a huge drop. They also protrude less from the ear chromeunboxed.com. All this means a much more secure and comfortable fit for active use – the ChromeUnboxed reviewer literally had his old Pixel Buds Pro pop out during jogs, whereas with Pro 2 he’s hopeful those days are over chromeunboxed.com. He noted “I’ve heard countless complaints about the original Pixel Buds Pro not staying put during exercise… Google seems confident they’ve cracked the code this time”, highlighting their extensive fitting tests and claiming “most comfortable and secure fitting earbuds” with data from 45 million ear scans chromeunboxed.com. Sound familiar? (Apple also boasted huge ear scan datasets.) Pixel Buds Pro 2 also come with extra small tips now. They are IPX4 (fine for sweat/rain). A neat feature: Pixel Buds have a spatial vent to reduce plugged-ear feeling, similar to AirPods. They also support head gestures (nod or shake head to accept calls) store.google.com – that means they have accelerometers tuned for that, which is unique. In terms of looks, Pixel Buds are round discs in the ear (no stem), and come in multiple colors (the new “Moonstone” color is quite nice, alongside standard black). The case even has a built-in speaker now like AirPods, for finding it.
• Beats Fit Pro: These essentially are AirPods Pro 1 guts in a different shell. The standout design feature is the flexible silicone wingtip on each bud that tucks into your upper ear ridge. This makes them extremely secure – you can do vigorous workouts and they stay put (Jordan from Tom’s Guide specifically switched to them because “pencil-style [AirPods] buds have always been a problem… The Beats Fit Pro fit near perfectly — and they stayed there. Even while running, I had no trouble. I was ecstatic.” tomsguide.com). They come with three tip sizes (S, M, L) and one wing size (integrated). Some with very small ears find the wing a bit large, but most get used to it. Comfort-wise, the wing does press in slightly, so after many hours you might feel it, whereas AirPods’ no-wing design might be gentler for all-day wear. Beats Fit Pro are a bit larger than AirPods in the ear (to accommodate the wing mechanism). They don’t have stems, only a small “fin” sticking out. They also come in many colors – black, white, gray, sage, stone purple, and limited editions – which many prefer over Apple’s single color. The case is bigger than AirPods Pro’s case and, annoyingly, no wireless charging. But it is pocketable, just not as tiny as AirPods’ dental-floss box. Build is IPX4 (sweat resistant). As for Powerbeats Fit (the upcoming model), leaks show it basically looks like Beats Fit Pro, possibly slightly tweaked, in new colors like orange and pink soundguys.com. So Beats is sticking with what worked: wing for stability. If anything, they might refine the case or materials. The rumor that it might include heart-rate sensing suggests Beats Fit Pro 2 (Powerbeats Fit) could gain a sensor like AirPods Pro 3, which implies a design accommodation for an optical sensor on the bud (not a big external change, just internal).

In sum, comfort is subjective, but here are broad strokes:

• AirPods Pro (all gens) are praised for being lightweight and comfortable for long periods; the new gen 3 should fit even more ears securely thanks to more tip options and smaller size.
• If AirPods have ever fallen out for you, look at Beats Fit Pro (wing for security) or Bose (wing + tip) or Pixel Buds Pro 2 (now with wing). Those “anchoring” designs give peace of mind during movement. The trade-off is a bit more pressure from the wing.
• Tiny-ear folks might love that both AirPods Pro 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 now cater to them with XXS/XS tips. Bose’s smallest wing might still be a bit large for very small ears, based on some reports.
• Style-wise, stems (AirPods, OnePlus Buds, etc.) are a personal taste – some find them awkward, but they do serve a functional purpose (placing antennas and mics closer to your mouth). Stemless buds are sleeker and more discreet but might have to protrude more to get mic exposure. Apple’s stem approach clearly works for voice pickup. The Verge noted how ubiquitous AirPods design is: they are instantly recognized, for better or worse.
• Build quality: all these are premium. Apple’s are well-built; Bose and Sony have a more plasticky feel according to some, but durable. Pixel Buds and Beats have nice soft-touch finishes.

One design aspect to mention: controls. AirPods use “squeeze the stem” controls (force sensor), which people love because it avoids accidental brushes and has nice click feedback (even though it’s not a physical button). AirPods Pro 2 & 3 also allow swiping the stem for volume – a great addition. Competitors vary: Sony XM5 uses touch taps/swipes (which can accidentally trigger when adjusting fit, though you can disable touches easily). Bose Ultra uses capacitive touch surfaces too (with some swipe gestures). Pixel Buds Pro 2 have an interesting one: you swipe horizontally across the earbud for volume gizmodo.com, which the reviewer found “incredibly intuitive” and wondered why others didn’t do that gizmodo.com. Beats Fit Pro have physical buttons (the “b” logo is a clickable button) – some people actually prefer a real button for gloves or reliability, though it can push the bud in when clicking. Each has its pros/cons. But none of these are as problematic as some earlier designs; it seems each company has refined input methods.

Finally, case design: AirPods Pro cases (Gen 1, 2, 3) are small, pocket-friendly, glossy white (scuffs over time). Gen 2 added a lanyard loop and speaker. Gen 3 case presumably similar size with USB-C. Sony’s XM5 case is a bit larger, matte plastic (black or cream), no lanyard, no speaker, and not water-resistant, which is a minus. Bose’s case is about AirPods Pro case size, matte, with a nice secure latch. Samsung’s Buds2 Pro case is a tiny square pebble, very pocketable, matte. Pixel Buds Pro 2 case – white with colored interior accent, medium size, has a speaker and supports “Find My Device” ring. Beats Fit Pro case is notably bigger, clamshell style, and no wireless charging which in 2025 feels outdated, but it is sturdy.

To wrap up: AirPods Pro 3’s design refinements directly address user feedback on fit. They didn’t add wings or radical changes, but through subtle reshaping and more tip choices, they aim to fit “more people than ever” apple.com. As MacRumors noted pre-launch, Apple was expected to “make the stem smaller, or remove it entirely,” but in final, they kept stems (likely for functionality) macrumors.com. The case getting a capacitive button (rumored) for pairing instead of a visible button might have happened too, since Apple did that on the non-Pro AirPods 4 case, but we don’t have confirmation if Pro 3 case did the same – likely yes, a hidden front button macrumors.com. All these design choices keep AirPods Pro looking clean and minimal. As an everyday user, you’ll probably find AirPods Pro 3 among the most comfortable and secure earbuds that lack an ear fin. If ear fins don’t bother you, some competitors might stay put even more firmly for extreme sports (e.g., Beats for a sprint or Bose for jumping jacks). But Apple clearly wants to cover 99% of usage scenarios, from couch to gym, with one elegant design.

Features and Software Integration

What sets these premium earbuds apart often comes down to smart features and how well they integrate with your other devices or services. We’ll look at the ecosystem perks, special features, and app/software integration for AirPods Pro models vs others.

AirPods Pro (all gens) Integration with Apple Ecosystem:

This is often a deciding factor for iPhone users. AirPods Pro are deeply integrated into iOS/macOS:

• Seamless Pairing & Switching: Thanks to the H1/H2 chips and iCloud, pairing AirPods is as simple as opening the case near an iPhone – an instant pop-up appears. Once paired, they auto-connect to all your Apple devices (using the same Apple ID). They can also auto-switch between devices: e.g., if you’re watching a movie on your iPad and a call comes to your iPhone, the AirPods Pro will switch audio to the iPhone. This can be extremely convenient (or occasionally jarring if multiple devices are active – but you can turn it off if undesired). SoundGuys highlights that “Switching audio playback from an iPhone to a Mac and back is effortless” on AirPods soundguys.com. Competing buds like Sony or Bose can’t do this across the Apple ecosystem (some can multipoint to 2 devices, but not as fluidly or beyond 2).
• Siri and Voice Assistants: AirPods Pro support hands-free “Hey Siri” on Apple devices. You can ask Siri to change volume, play a specific song, or even read messages. For example, Siri can announce incoming messages and you can speak a reply, all via the AirPods. No competitor has that level of OS-level voice integration with iPhone (Google’s Pixel Buds can do “Hey Google” on Android phones, but on iPhone they’d be limited). On Android, AirPods behave like basic Bluetooth buds; you lose Siri (of course) and can’t trigger Google Assistant through them either (there’s no native assistant integration outside Apple’s world). Other brand buds generally allow invoking Google Assistant or Alexa on Android by tap or voice (e.g., Sony WF-1000XM5 support “Hey Google” or “Alexa” on Android soundguys.com).
• Spatial Audio and Head Tracking: AirPods Pro pioneered easy-to-use Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for movies and supported music (Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, etc.). With an iPhone or iPad, it can simulate surround sound – the audio stays fixed to the screen as you turn your head, creating an immersive effect. AirPods Pro 1 got spatial audio via firmware update; AirPods Pro 2 improved it and introduced Personalized Spatial Audio (you scan your ears with the phone’s camera to optimize the effect). AirPods Pro 3 continue this, presumably with even more precision due to improved acoustics. Competing buds are catching up: Samsung Buds2 Pro have 360 Audio (similar head tracking spatial for OneUI phones). Sony has 360 Reality Audio for supported music services, with head tracking. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro (both gens) also added spatial audio with head tracking for Pixel phones in a software update. So the feature isn’t unique now, but AirPods’ implementation is often praised as one of the best and easiest to use, especially with video apps on iPhone/Apple TV.
• Find My and U1: AirPods Pro 2 and 3’s case include Apple’s U1 chip and integrate with the Find My network. This means you can see the location of your case on a map, trigger a sound on the case (it has a speaker) to find it in couch cushions, or even use Precision Finding (AR arrow pointing to it) if you have a U1-enabled iPhone. That’s basically having an AirTag function in your earbuds. No competitor has quite that level of tracking on iPhone. (Pixel Buds Pro 2’s case has a speaker and ties into Google’s Find My Device – great for Android, but on iPhone you wouldn’t get that benefit). For non-Apple buds on iPhone, you’re limited to maybe a buzz sound from their app if connected. Apple definitely wins in “don’t lose your earbuds” for iOS users.
• Hearing Health and Accessibility: Apple leverages AirPods for hearing features. All AirPods Pro can work as basic hearing aids through the Live Listen feature (streaming ambient sound to your ears via iPhone mic) and Conversation Boost (which AirPods Pro 1 & 2 had as an accessibility option to focus on voices). AirPods Pro 3 build on that – automatically enabling conversation boost in loud places apple.com, and integrating with iOS’s Health app for hearing tests and noise notifications. Apple even introduced an audiogram-based customization in iOS (Headphone Accommodations) that can tune AirPods audio output to your personal hearing profile if you have one. These are advanced features to help those with mild hearing loss or sensitivity. While Bose and others have some similar (Bose has an “aware mode” that can amplify speech too), Apple’s solution is holistic with the iPhone’s health ecosystem.
• New AirPods Pro 3 exclusives: The heart-rate sensor opens up Fitness integration. With AirPods Pro 3, you can see your heart rate in real-time in the Fitness or Health app while working out apple.com. It can also alert if your heart rate is unusually high or low presumably. Apple even mentioned Workout Buddy – an AI fitness coach that uses your AirPods’ motion and heart data to give feedback during exercise apple.com apple.com. That’s unique to Apple. Beats may get heart rate soon (Powerbeats Pro 2 have it), but currently none of the listed competitors have HR sensors except some specialized workout buds (e.g., JBL or Jabra had a few in past). So AirPods Pro 3 doubling as a basic fitness tracker is a neat plus. Also, Live Translation: by leveraging an iPhone on iOS 26, you can have bilingual conversations – hold your iPhone out, it will use Translate to listen and speak the translation out loud to the other person, while your AirPods Pro 3 play the translated reply in your ear techcrunch.com. It’s like having a translator in your ear; Google showcased similar tech with Pixel Buds in the past, but it was clunky and they deprecated it. Apple building it into iOS could make it actually practical. Imagine traveling and having your AirPods assist in understanding a foreign language speaker in near real time – quite futuristic, and a feature casual travelers would love, as long as both parties have a phone to handle their side.
• Apple Music and Media: AirPods Pro of course work beautifully with Apple Music (Spatial Audio content, Dolby Atmos tracks are auto-recognized). They also automatically pause when you remove one earbud (thanks to optical/skin sensors). And with Apple TV or macOS, the experience is integrated (quick connect menu, spatial audio toggles, etc.). Little touches like audio sharing (two sets of AirPods can listen to one iPhone’s audio simultaneously) are handy for watching with a friend – a feature you won’t get mixing brands.

Now, outside Apple’s walled garden:

AirPods on non-Apple devices: They can pair to Android/Windows via Bluetooth like any headphones, but you lose the fancy integration. There’s no official Android app for AirPods (some third-party apps can show battery levels or let you remap squeeze gestures, but limited). You won’t get firmware updates easily (you’d need an iPhone for that). Features like Spatial Audio, Adaptive Transparency toggles, Siri, and Find My won’t function on Android. Essentially, they become basic ANC earbuds with a fixed profile. They’ll still sound and cancel noise just as well – so if one is fine without customization and is just in love with AirPods hardware, it’s doable. But generally, if you’re on Android, alternatives might serve you better with full feature access.

Competitors’ integration & features:

• Sony WF-1000XM5 Software: Sony provides the robust Headphones Connect app on iOS and Android, which gives full control: you can adjust a 5-band EQ or use presets soundguys.com, customize the touch controls, toggle ANC/ambient levels, and even run an ear tip fit test soundguys.com. Sony also has Adaptive Sound Control – it can sense if you’re walking, running, waiting, or traveling and automatically switch ANC or ambient settings accordingly soundguys.com. For example, it might let some sound in when you’re walking in public, but go full ANC when you’re sitting still in a noisy place. It’s a neat, if somewhat complicated, feature. Apple is starting to copy this with iOS 17’s Adaptive Audio (which dynamically blends ANC/transparency based on environment) for AirPods Pro 2/3, but Sony’s had it for a while. Sony’s buds also support multipoint Bluetooth – connect two devices (like phone and laptop) simultaneously soundguys.com. AirPods don’t do standard multipoint; they rely on Apple’s auto-switch. Multipoint is great if you have, say, an Android phone and a PC – Sony will manage both at once. On voice assistant, Sony lets you pick Alexa or Google Assistant on Android (they respond to wake words or a tap). On iPhone, you can’t trigger Siri through Sony buds except by using the phone normally (since Siri doesn’t allow third-party wake from headphones). Sony also has a PC integration where, if you use their Windows app, you can get certain spatial audio for Windows (for gaming, etc.). Overall, Sony’s feature set is among the richest, but somewhat app-dependent. On iPhone, you must go into the Sony app for advanced things (whereas AirPods settings are built into iOS Settings). Still, once set up, Sony XM5 work well even on iPhone (you just won’t auto-switch devices or have Siri).
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Features: Bose has the Bose Music app for customization. You can adjust ANC levels (including an adjustable transparency 0–10). Bose also introduced their Immersive Audio (spatial audio) in two modes: Still (for stationary listening) and Motion (for when you’re moving your head a lot) – it works with any audio content to create a surround effect, no special format needed loudnwireless.com. This is unique: you can get a spatial wideness even from stereo content on any device, and it works “on any device” since it’s processed in the earbuds themselves loudnwireless.com. Some have called it a game-changer for music, others find it a bit artificial. But it’s a cool option. Bose also supports multipoint (2 devices at once). And they have decent assistant integration (Google/Siri/Alexa – you can trigger Siri with a long press when connected to iPhone, or Google/Alexa on Android). Bose’s app also has an ear fit test, and some EQ (I believe they added a three-band EQ in recent updates). Bose is also known for very good call quality – using advanced mics and algorithms to isolate your voice. All the high-end ones focus on this, but Bose and Apple often get top marks. Another Bose advantage: since their ANC is so strong, they let you adjust how much of your own voice you hear on calls (sidetone) – helpful so you don’t end up shouting. Integration-wise, Bose doesn’t hook into any OS as tightly as Apple in iOS, but at least their app works on all platforms, and they aren’t as ecosystem-locked as say Samsung buds.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro Software: If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, these shine. In the Galaxy Wearable app (Android only), you can access features: set ANC or ambient strength, use Voice Detect (similar to Sony’s Speak-to-Chat: it automatically switches to ambient and lowers volume when you start talking), toggle 360 Audio (spatial head tracking for supported apps), and manage the EQ presets (no manual EQ, just preset choices) soundguys.com. Samsung also can read notifications aloud (if you allow it) and has some accessibility options like left/right sound balance soundguys.com. Importantly, Buds2 Pro have the Samsung Seamless Codec for 24-bit audio, but only on Samsung devices. On any other Android, they fall back to AAC or SBC, and as SoundGuys pointed out, AAC performance on Android can be subpar soundguys.com. So outside Samsung, you’re not getting their full potential. There is no iOS app at all for recent Samsung buds soundguys.com soundguys.com. So if you pair them to an iPhone, you can’t adjust anything like ANC mode (though I believe by default they’ll keep last setting). You’d also miss firmware updates unless you find an Android. That’s a major limitation. Within Samsung’s world, they auto-switch between your Samsung phone, tablet, TV, watch via your Samsung account, similar to AirPods with iCloud – but again, only within Galaxy devices. They also support Bixby (Samsung’s assistant) by voice. One thing Samsung added was Neck Stretch Reminders (to prompt you if you’ve been looking down at your screen too long) – quirky, but shows they try to leverage sensors for health-ish features.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro (2nd gen) Integration: On a Pixel or Android phone, Pixel Buds Pro (1 and 2) have tight integration. The pairing is via Google Fast Pair – one-tap like AirPods on Android. They also connect to your Google account, so they show up on other Android devices linked to your account. Pixel Buds app (or rather the settings) is built into Android settings when connected, or you can use the standalone Pixel Buds app on non-Pixel Android phones. Features: you get ANC on/off, transparency, a 5-band EQ (Google added manual EQ in late 2022), and settings for the touch controls (you can customize what long-press does – e.g., one side for Assistant, other for ANC toggle). Pixel Buds Pro also do multipoint and they do it very well – they can even seamlessly switch between, say, a laptop and an Android phone without hiccups. Pixel Buds support Google Assistant hands-free: you can say “Hey Google” and have the Assistant respond in your ears, even read notifications and allow you to reply by voice. This is analogous to Siri on AirPods but for Android. On Pixel Buds Pro 2, this is upgraded to “Gemini Live”, which is integration with Google’s next-gen AI (Gemini) to do more conversational tasks via the buds store.google.com. However, the Gizmodo review found it not truly hands-free – you still have to long-press to talk to the AI each time gizmodo.com. It’s essentially Google Assistant with some new features (like summarizing or taking notes by voice). Could improve with updates. Pixel Buds also have Find My Device support – you can ring them or see their last location via Google’s network (similar to Find My for AirPods, though arguably Apple’s network of devices is larger for tracking).

One feature Pixel Buds Pro 2 tout is head gestures (nodding to answer call, shaking to decline) store.google.com, which is novel. If it works reliably, you can accept a call with just a nod – no touching needed. Pixel Buds also have an interesting Silent Seal technology where they calibrate ANC to your ear shape for optimal sealing (AirPods likely do similar with their adaptive approach). Pixel’s transparency is decent; they added a toggle to reduce loud sounds too (basically Google copied Apple’s adaptive transparency after Apple did it). So on a Pixel phone, these buds integrate beautifully. On iPhone, like others, Pixel Buds would just be basic Bluetooth – there’s no Pixel Buds app on iOS. So you can’t use Google Assistant on iPhone through them, etc. You could still use Siri by invoking it on the phone, but not via the buds’ touch (unless maybe you remap long-press to Siri by some hacky means – not officially supported I think).

• Beats Fit Pro integration: Being Apple-owned, Beats Fit Pro have a foot in both worlds. On iPhone, they behave almost exactly like AirPods: one-tap pairing, automatic device switching via iCloud, hands-free “Hey Siri” (because they have the H1 chip), and audio sharing, etc. In iOS Settings, you’ll see them with an icon and can change noise control modes, spatial audio settings, etc., just like AirPods (the interface is slightly less detailed – e.g., no Personalized Spatial Audio for Beats yet). On Android, Beats has a Beats app which allows some customization – you can switch ANC modes, see battery, and update firmware. Beats Fit Pro notably support Find My on iOS (they appear in the Find My app under devices, since they have the same tech for that, minus the U1 chip). On Android, they integrate with Fast Pair and Google’s Find My Device too – Beats is pretty ecosystem-agnostic. They don’t do multipoint simultaneous, but like AirPods, they can auto-switch between Apple devices (not between an iPhone and an Android though – that you’d have to manually pair switch). So Beats are a nice bridge: great for Apple users who might sometimes use Android or vice versa. One caution: Beats Fit Pro (2021) being older might not get all the new Apple features – e.g., they didn’t get Adaptive Audio or Conversation Awareness that AirPods Pro 2 got in iOS 17. The rumored Beats Fit Pro 2 (Powerbeats Fit) might catch up in features (with H2 chip and maybe new tricks).

Summary of integrations:

For Apple device owners, AirPods Pro are basically an extension of the system – from instant pairing, iCloud sync, Siri, spatial audio, to even things like controlling volume via Apple Watch’s crown with AirPods (cool tip: you can link that). No other earbuds will be as plug-and-play and auto-managed on Apple gear.

On Android, AirPods lose much of that and you might lean towards Sony for sound/customization, Pixel Buds for Assistant and Google features, or Samsung if you have Galaxy devices. The “best” features set really depends on your ecosystem allegiance.

But purely looking at capabilities: AirPods Pro 3 with iOS 17 now have Adaptive Audio (blending ANC/transparency), Conversation Awareness (lower volume + focus voices when you speak), and Personalized Volume (learning your volume preferences over time). These are all new Apple software features delivered to AirPods Pro 2 and 3. Combined with the new hardware features (heart rate, translation), AirPods Pro 3 are arguably the most feature-packed earbuds for an iPhone user in 2025.

One potential drawback: those features rely on an Apple device. If you try to use AirPods Pro 3 with a Windows PC or a standalone Bluetooth transmitter (like on an airplane), they’ll still give you ANC and your last mode, but you can’t toggle modes without an Apple device handy (except using the stems to cycle ANC/Transp). In contrast, Sony or Bose can be controlled via their apps on multiple platforms or by buttons on the buds themselves. For example, Bose lets you cycle between set “modes” (like full ANC, 50% ANC, full transparency) by a tap, even if you’re paired to anything. AirPods rely on either an iOS/Mac or the squeeze (which can only toggle between the modes you pre-set). It’s a minor difference, but scenario: if paired to a TV via Bluetooth, you can’t invoke Siri or change settings easily on AirPods, whereas some others maybe allow an ANC toggle via a long press without phone. Though AirPods do allow long-press to cycle noise modes (by default, long squeeze toggles ANC/Transparency, which works anywhere), so maybe that’s covered.

All told, in the area of “smarts”:

• AirPods Pro 3 are top-tier for Apple integration, have unique things like heart-rate and translation, and are improving in adaptive behavior.
• Sony XM5 are the tinkerers’ choice, with lots of manual control, EQ, and cross-platform compatibility (but no special health or AI features).
• Bose Ultra focus on sound and ANC, with the cool always-on spatial audio trick, but somewhat less flashy beyond that.
• Samsung Buds2 Pro are awesome if you’re all-in on Galaxy (24-bit audio, seamless switching in that realm), otherwise they lose shine.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2 are arguably the closest analog to AirPods Pro in the Google ecosystem: tightly integrated with Android/Pixel, good mix of features (multipoint, Assistant, AI, etc.), just not as useful for iPhone folks.
• Beats Fit Pro give you many AirPods benefits on iPhone plus a secure fit, and decent support on Android, but being older, missing some of the newest bells and whistles until their refresh.

As CNET’s review headline for AirPods Pro 3 suggests, “Bose and Sony have a problem!”, in that Apple has now matched or exceeded them on many technical fronts while offering a superior user experience for the huge base of Apple users twitter.com facebook.com. The extent to which Bose/Sony have a “problem” likely depends on if a user values that Apple magic or prefers the nuance of what Bose/Sony offer (like custom EQ or a different sound style). For the general audience, though, AirPods Pro 3’s combination of strong performance + convenience is hard to beat.

Compatibility with Apple and Non-Apple Devices

We touched on this above, but to clarify in one section:

• AirPods Pro on Apple devices: Full functionality – easy pairing, auto-switching, Siri, Spatial Audio, Find My, etc. Requires relatively up-to-date OS (iOS 15 for gen2, iOS 17 for gen3 to use all features). They behave like first-class citizens.
• AirPods Pro on Android/Windows: Basic Bluetooth audio. ANC and Transparency toggling can be done by pinching stems (that doesn’t require iOS). But you can’t change things like how the long-press behaves (defaults to ANC toggle), or check battery easily (unless the platform supports showing battery for BLE devices – some Android UIs do show AirPods battery now under Bluetooth). No updates or advanced features without borrowing someone’s iPhone. So they work, and still sound great, but it’s like buying a sports car and only driving it in first gear – you miss a lot.

The competition basically inverts that: Pixel Buds Pro are awesome on Android, somewhat handicapped on iOS (though Google did release a Pixel Buds app for iOS for their older Pixel Buds A maybe? Actually they did for Pixel Buds 2020 but discontinued it – I think currently Pixel Buds app is Android only). Sony and Bose have solid apps on both Android and iOS, so those are actually quite platform-agnostic. If you often switch between an iPhone and an Android phone, Sony or Bose could be a safer bet since you can use their app features on both systems. Beats is good on both due to providing an Android app while being native to iOS.

Computers and other devices: AirPods can pair to PCs, Macs, tablets, etc. On Mac, they integrate well (auto-switching, etc.). On Windows, you’ll just treat them as a Bluetooth headset; you might run into the typical Windows Bluetooth quirk of it showing a “Headset” vs “Headphones” profile (the headset mode is lower quality sound + mic). On iPhone/iPad/Mac, Apple seamlessly switches between stereo audio and mic usage modes without the user noticing quality changes; on Windows, you might have to manually switch outputs if you want to use the mic vs not. This is true for any Bluetooth buds on Windows though. Some companies like Jabra or Poly offer a special “dongle” to optimize PC use; none of the consumer buds in our list come with dedicated PC dongles (though you can buy one for Sony as an accessory if needed for LE Audio etc.).

Bluetooth Versions and codecs: AirPods Pro 2 and 3 use Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC and AAC codecs (no AptX or LDAC). They do not support the new Bluetooth LE Audio / LC3 yet in any visible way (though the hardware is 5.3 so maybe future firmware could?). Sony XM5 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC (for hi-res audio). Bose supports SBC and AAC (no hi-res codec). Samsung Buds use SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless (proprietary variant of SSC codec). Pixel Buds Pro support SBC and AAC; Pixel Buds Pro 2 add the “Tensor A1” which might enable LC3 or some better codec eventually, but currently it’s still AAC (since Google hasn’t launched their own). Beats Fit Pro are Bluetooth 5.0 and SBC/AAC. So aside from Sony (which caters to audiophile hi-res crowd with LDAC) and Samsung (with their ecosystem codec), none of these do anything beyond AAC for iPhone use anyway. AAC performs well on iOS, so that’s fine; on Android, AAC can be iffy but Pixel phones handle it decently.

Latency: All these buds use tricks to minimize audio lag for video/gaming. AirPods have very low latency on Apple devices thanks to H-series chip and OS integration – you won’t notice lip sync issues. On other devices, AirPods act like typical AAC earbuds (so ~170ms latency). Sony has a “gaming mode” to reduce lag (and with LDAC off, they do okay). Bose not sure, likely fine for video. Pixel Buds Pro 2 with Bluetooth 5.3 might support LE Audio for low-latency in future, but not confirmed. For now, if you game a lot, none are as instant as wired, but for casual use it’s fine.

Voice call compatibility: They all can be used for Zoom/Teams calls on PC or phone calls, etc. On iPhone, AirPods Pro do some extra integration like if you’re on a call and one bud’s battery dies, you can swap to the other seamlessly, etc. But generally, all allow mono-bud use (using just one earbud) for calls and audio if needed.

To sum up compatibility: If you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem, AirPods Pro (especially gen 3) give an effortless, Apple-magical experience that competitors can’t fully replicate soundguys.com. If you’re an Android or cross-platform user, you’ll likely lean toward Sony, Bose, or Pixel which offer great companion apps and multipoint to juggle devices easily. Beats Fit Pro is a rare one that tries to play nice with both worlds.

And if you’re someone who might switch from Android to iPhone in the future or vice versa – it’s something to consider. For example, a lot of users with Windows PC + iPhone find AirPods still fine (connect to iPhone mostly, occasionally to PC manually). If someone has a Pixel phone but might get a MacBook, maybe Sony or Bose (with multipoint and Mac/Android support) is a safer bet than Pixel Buds which won’t have an app on Mac either (though Mac you can still use them just like any BT headphone).

The good news is all these earbuds adhere to standard Bluetooth profiles, so nothing is completely locked out anywhere – it’s about the extra features.

Comparing to Major Competitors

Now, let’s put everything together and directly compare AirPods Pro 3 against each of the listed major competitors, to see strengths, weaknesses and unique features side by side:

vs. Sony WF-1000XM5

Noise Cancellation: Both are stellar. Sony’s ANC was arguably best-in-class until now, but Apple claims AirPods Pro 3 surpass it with 2× the ANC of AirPods Pro 2 apple.com, which already nearly matched Sony. Sony might still cancel a touch more low-frequency rumble (their specialty) and has very configurable ANC (20 levels, plus auto mode). Apple’s is “set it and forget it” but now extremely powerful. In voice frequencies, Apple might even do better (AirPods Pro 2 already excelled at mid-frequency noise reduction whathifi.com). It’s basically a toss-up; any difference will be minor for average users. As one reviewer put it, “similar ANC and sound quality as the AirPods Pro 2. …the WF-1000XM5 is also top-notch” even for iPhone owners soundguys.com. Now that Pro 3 has improved, Apple likely edges out.

Sound Quality: Sony has the edge in customization and supporting hi-res audio (LDAC codec, EQ, etc.). Out-of-box tuning – both are warm and enjoyable. Sony might have slightly more refined bass and slightly more open highs thanks to dual drivers. But this is subjective; some might prefer AirPods’ sound signature. “The Sonys sound the flattest, AirPods the most crisp and brilliant” in one multi-earbud comparison youtube.com, meaning Apple can sound a tad brighter. Sony yields more detail especially when using LDAC on a high-quality source – useful for audiophiles on Android. On Apple Music with an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 will likely deliver Atmos tracks exactly as intended with spatial audio, while Sony would play them sans Apple’s spatial processing.

Comfort & Fit: AirPods Pro 3 are smaller than before and very comfy for most. Sony XM5 are also quite small now and include foam tips. Some with very small ears might find AirPods Pro 3 (with new XXS tip) a better fit, since Sony’s smallest foam might still be slightly larger. Conversely, Sony’s foam tips can sometimes itch or need replacing over time (foam degrades), while Apple’s foam-infused silicone might last longer. Sony buds lack stems, which some prefer aesthetically; AirPods have stems but they’re short. Both are secure enough for moderate activity, though neither has an actual wing – heavy workouts might jostle them. AirPods Pro 3’s IP57 rating means they’re more protected from dust/water than Sony’s IPX4 (only sweat-proof, not dust-proof). For someone running on trails (dusty) or around water, AirPods have an advantage.

Features: Sony offers multipoint connection (AirPods rely on Apple-only auto-switch). Sony’s app works on all platforms; AirPods features mostly on Apple only. Sony has more configurable controls (including volume via tap or voice commands) whereas AirPods have volume swipe now (very convenient) and force sensor pinches. Sony’s Speak-to-Chat auto-pausing is great; AirPods lack that exactly, but the new Conversation Awareness is similar (it lowers volume when you talk, but it doesn’t pause content entirely). AirPods have Siri always available; Sony can do Alexa/Google on Android. AirPods Pro 3 have unique ones: heart rate tracking, Live Translation, etc., which Sony doesn’t. Sony has a basic in-ear detection for auto-pause, same as AirPods.

Integration: On iPhone, AirPods are a dream – you open the case and go. On iPhone, Sony will require manual Bluetooth pairing and using the Sony app for settings. It’s not hard, but not as slick. On Android, Sony is slightly better integrated (Fast Pair, Assistant). If you use Windows, Sony’s multipoint means you can be connected to PC and phone at once, something AirPods can’t do (unless both are Apple devices). Also, for gaming, Sony supports Bluetooth LE Audio in the future (the hardware is ready, firmware might enable later), which could reduce latency if devices support it, whereas Apple might do their own thing (they haven’t embraced LE Audio publicly yet).

Battery: AirPods Pro 3: ~8h ANC, 32h total. Sony XM5: ~8h ANC, 24h total. So AirPods case gives more extra charges. But Sony’s real-world single-charge was even up to 9h in tests – so either way, both last long enough. If you need 8+ hours continuously, both suffice (AirPods older gens wouldn’t, but now they do). Sony’s lack of wireless charging on case is notable if you’ve gotten used to that; AirPods case does wireless/MagSafe.

Call Quality: Both are good, but historically AirPods have been among the very best for voice calls – thanks to the stem mic being closer to mouth and Apple’s voice isolation algorithms. Sony XM5 improved over XM4 but some reviews like Rtings or others still rank AirPods Pro 2’s mic a bit higher for clarity in noisy conditions. Apple also now uses an Adaptive Voice algorithm on AirPods Pro 3 that makes your voice sound more natural in transparency (for hearing yourself on calls) apple.com. If taking lots of calls is important, AirPods might be slightly better. But Sony isn’t bad – just occasionally picks up more background or sounds slightly muffled compared to AirPods.

Price: Both retail around similar high-end prices (AirPods Pro 3 at $249, Sony XM5 at $299 MSRP but often on sale near $249 or less). Sony is frequently discounted (e.g., The Verge noted they were 35% off at times theverge.com). AirPods Pro, being newer, might not see deep discounts for a while, but Apple did drop AirPods Pro 2’s price to $199 often. So cost difference might not be huge depending on timing.

Expert opinions: Many tech sites pick Sony XM5 as “best overall earbuds” because they check all boxes and are platform-agnostic theverge.com. However, with AirPods Pro 3’s arrival, experts are impressed with Apple’s advancements: CNET’s David Carnoy implied AirPods Pro 3 pose a serious challenge to Bose and Sony, saying “they cost the same $249, but Apple’s third-gen noise-canceling earbuds really raise the bar” twitter.com. The Verge’s review tagline essentially said AirPods Pro 3 doubled down on what works – they didn’t mention Sony explicitly but they clearly believe AirPods Pro 3 are the best yet from Apple.

Bottom line: If you’re an iPhone user, AirPods Pro 3 likely offer a more seamless and now equally high-performing experience compared to Sony XM5. Only go Sony if you really want that custom EQ or need multipoint with, say, a Windows PC – or if you prefer the non-stem look and slightly different sound tuning. If you’re an Android user, Sony XM5 might make more sense because you can leverage LDAC and the app fully, whereas AirPods would be wasted potential. Each is a top-tier choice – it’s a testament to how far Apple has come that AirPods Pro 3 is legitimately considered on par or better in ANC and overall package. As SoundGuys concluded comparing AirPods Pro 2 to XM5: “The Sony WF-1000XM5 are better for Android owners and AirPods Pro 2 are better for iPhone owners who want a smooth experience.” soundguys.com That likely holds true for AirPods Pro 3 as well – stick with the ecosystem that suits you.

vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Noise Cancellation: Bose is legendary here. The QuietComfort Ultra (QC Ultra) earbuds continue Bose’s tradition of “insane noise cancellation” techgearlab.com. In head-to-head tests prior to AirPods Pro 3, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (very similar ANC to Ultra) often slightly outperformed AirPods Pro 2 in pure noise reduction, especially at low frequencies. With AirPods Pro 3’s improved ANC, Apple claims the crown of “world’s best ANC” apple.com. It may be neck-and-neck. Bose tends to cancel everything to a very quiet hush, sometimes more aggressively than others. Users have described Bose’s ANC as almost eerie silence in flights and that it “offers the most expansive and immersive soundstage” in quiet, because background is so gone techgearlab.com. Apple says AirPods Pro 3 remove 2× more noise than AirPods Pro 2 apple.com; if that’s accurate, it could indeed surpass Bose in measurable terms. Realistically, both will make a busy street or airplane remarkably quiet. Bose allows you to adjust ANC level in their app; Apple doesn’t (just on/off). Both have aware/transparency modes – Apple’s is likely more natural-sounding; Bose’s transparency is decent but historically a bit behind AirPods in fidelity (you might hear a touch more white noise in Bose transparency). Bose doesn’t have Apple’s adaptive transparency for loud noise – Bose’s transparency mode currently doesn’t auto-limit sudden loud sounds (though you could manually lower volume). So, Apple may have an edge in how smart their noise management is, while Bose might have the slightest edge in brute-force cancellation. If one had to bet, I suspect AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QC Ultra are now so close that it’d be hard to declare a universal winner. It could come down to individual fit (who gets a better seal) as much as tech.

Sound Quality: Bose QC Ultra are praised for extraordinary audio – “the bass, mid, and high frequencies are outstanding”, delivering a very balanced yet engaging sound techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. They especially highlight bass and treble quality, and the ability to get very loud without distortion techgearlab.com. Bose also pioneered an always-on spatial audio (Immersive Audio) that expands soundstage drastically – making music and movies feel more 3D even if not encoded in surround techgearlab.com. The result: an enveloping, “live-like experience” that one expert called revelatory techgearlab.com techgearlab.com. Apple’s spatial audio is content-dependent (works great with Atmos content, not applied to stereo by default outside of special cases). So Bose basically can make all your audio immersive at the flip of a switch, which some absolutely love. AirPods Pro 3 will still play stereo music as stereo; it won’t upmix it unless you use some third-party spatializer.

In terms of tuning, Bose and Apple are both fairly balanced, but Bose might push the extremes a bit more (slightly more bass and treble energy). AirPods Pro 3 likely remain smooth and accurate but not overdone in any frequency. The Verge noted Bose’s Ultra offer a huge soundstage and immersive quality, whereas AirPods Pro (gen 2) had a more straightforward approach. For audiophiles, some have preferences: one might say Bose’s soundstage and “sparkle” make them more exciting, while others might prefer Apple’s neutral approach.

Fit & Comfort: These are quite different physically. Bose uses that ear tip + wing combo. For many, that means rock-solid stability but the wing can cause slight pressure after long wear. AirPods Pro 3 have no wing, but now with better tips and shape, they aim for stability via design. Bose earbuds are a bit bigger/heavier in ear than AirPods. If you have small ears, Bose could be a challenge (some people with small ears couldn’t get QC Earbuds II to fit right, even smallest tip+wing might be a tad large). AirPods Pro 3 specifically target more ear sizes with XXS tip and smaller bud – a win for small ears. On the other hand, if AirPods (gen 1/2) tended to slip out on you, Bose’s fin will probably solve that – they basically lock in. For strenuous exercise, Bose might stay put better (though they aren’t marketed for heavy sport due to not being as water resistant as some – QC Ultra are IP54 which is fine for sweat, but wing could potentially slip if super sweaty; still, likely okay). AirPods Pro 3 are IP57, even more water/sweat-proof. Comfort-time: AirPods might be easier to wear for say 4+ hours straight with no ear fatigue since no fins pressing. Bose, you might after a couple hours adjust them for relief. But these things vary by ear.

Features & App: Bose QC Ultra buds have multipoint (AirPods not standard, only Apple auto-switch). Bose’s app (Bose Music) works on iOS and Android. Bose offers adjustable EQ (I believe a 3-band EQ with presets). AirPods have no manual EQ (just adaptive by Apple). Bose’s Immersive Audio works on any device – a unique selling point. Apple’s spatial audio requires an Apple device and content that supports it (or Apple TV etc.). Bose lacks a voice assistant baked in; on iPhone you can long-press to trigger Siri via the phone, on Android you can choose Alexa or Google Assistant in app and then long-press to talk. But no always-listening trigger. AirPods have always-on Siri (but that is iOS only). Bose’s case doesn’t have fancy U1 tracking, but you can ring the earbuds from the app if connected, and Bose now integrates with the Tile network (for QC II they did, not sure if Ultra does but likely yes, meaning you could track last location via Tile). Still not as robust as Find My. Bose also added some novel modes for their Ultra series like “Self Voice” adjustable (sidetone on calls). AirPods auto adjust sidetone depending on transparency or call mode and now can ensure your voice sounds natural when transparency is on apple.com.

One big Bose feature: CustomTune calibration – every time you insert the earbuds, Bose plays a quick test tone to measure your ear canal and tunes the ANC and EQ to that. So it’s personalized per ear, per insertion. Apple does Adaptive EQ continuously with inward mics, achieving a similar effect of customizing sound to your ear’s fit, and they calibrate ANC on the fly too. Implementation differs but goal is similar – both personalize the output.

Call Quality: Bose’s mic system is good. However, in independent mic tests (SoundGuys, Rtings), Bose QC Earbuds II were fine but not exceptional – AirPods Pro 2 often beat them in noisy places, because Bose’s mics sometimes pick up a bit more background or make your voice sound slightly processed. Bose did improve algorithm for Ultra, so it might be closer now. Still, AirPods’ stem mic generally yields very clear voice. If you do a lot of calls or Zoom, AirPods Pro 3 might have an edge in clarity and ease (plus you can seamlessly use them across Apple devices for calls). That said, Bose’s Self Voice feature is nice – you can hear your own voice at a comfortable level during calls so you don’t shout. AirPods do something similar via transparency but you can’t adjust the level; on AirPods Pro 3, they automatically make your voice sound natural in transparency apple.com, presumably also helping calls.

Battery: Bose QC Ultra – ~6h per charge ANC on (4h if Immersive Audio on), ~24h total with case amazon.com. AirPods Pro 3 – 8h per charge ANC, ~32-34h total. So Apple wins on battery endurance. Bose’s shorter battery is likely due to power-hungry DSP for Immersive mode and their tuning process. In practice, if you frequently use Bose’s spatial audio mode, expect to charge them more often. For example, one user said with Immersive Audio on high, Bose lasted barely 4 hours – enough for a workout or movie, but not a long flight. AirPods doing 8 hours ANC means even long flights might only need one mid-trip recharge pitstop.

Build: Bose IP54 vs Apple IP57 – Apple’s more water/dust resistant. The Bose buds and case are well-built with a premium feel; some find Bose’s case latch satisfying, but it’s a bit larger than AirPods case. Apple’s case is smaller, and has the added speaker and U1 chip. Bose’s case lacks wireless charging (shockingly, QC Earbuds II and Ultra do not have Qi charging – a miss for a 2023 premium product). Apple’s case, as noted, does Qi/MagSafe.

Integration: If you’re an Apple user, again AirPods slip right into your ecosystem with minimal friction. Bose will require manually connecting and swapping, though with multipoint they can at least connect to two devices at once (like iPhone + Mac). If your life is across different brands (like maybe you use an iPhone and a Windows PC and maybe an Android tablet), Bose’s multipoint and cross-platform app might serve you better. If all Apple, AirPods will just feel more cohesive. Bose does not benefit from any OS-level integration on iOS aside from maybe showing battery in the Batteries widget.

Price: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds retail at $299 (they are quite pricey). Often Bose’s premium stays high; you might see occasional $20-50 off sales but not huge cuts until maybe next year. AirPods Pro 3 at $249 are cheaper out of the gate. Given feature parity, that’s an advantage Apple. Bose is banking that people are willing to pay a bit more for that Bose sound/ANC. But if AirPods Pro 3 really match/exceed Bose in key areas, Bose might feel pressure to discount later.

Expert quotes: TechGearLab gave Bose Ultra earbuds a glowing review for soundstage and immersion techgearlab.com. Meanwhile, Macworld’s commentary on AirPods Pro 3 (pre-launch) suggested Apple was aiming at “much better ANC” and improved audio macrumors.com, which they delivered. The Verge hasn’t directly compared them yet, but their best earbuds list previously favored Sony and Bose. With AirPods Pro 3’s enhancements, it wouldn’t be surprising to see those lists updated to put AirPods on equal footing for Apple users. Early media coverage is that “Apple says it removes twice the noise… and features live translation” techcrunch.com, implying AirPods Pro 3 are bringing new tricks beyond Bose.

Bottom line: Bose QuietComfort Ultra are a powerhouse of ANC and now flashy spatial audio, ideal for a listener who wants maximum noise blocked and a huge, out-of-head sound for music. They are perfect for someone who values that immersive listening session at home or on a plane. AirPods Pro 3, however, come extremely close (or surpass) in ANC, and while they don’t apply spatial processing to everything like Bose, they do have excellent Dolby Atmos spatial for supported content. If you value convenience, pocketability, and broad usability (calls, daily on-the-go use) along with great performance, AirPods Pro 3 might be the better-rounded pick – especially at a lower price and with better battery. For die-hard Bose fans or those who find Bose’s sound signature more to their liking, the QC Ultras remain a top contender.

If you’re on iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 likely offer 95% of what Bose Ultra do, plus a smoother user experience and extras (heart rate, Siri, etc.). If you’re on Android or frequently in very noisy environments and want that last ounce of ANC, Bose could be slightly preferable. But the gap between Apple and Bose in the noise-canceling race is now wafer-thin, with some experts even saying AirPods Pro 3 take the lead 9to5mac.com.

vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

Noise Cancellation: Galaxy Buds2 Pro have good ANC, but not class-leading. In 2022, they were Samsung’s best yet, and they do a fine job with low-frequency hums and consistent noises. However, most reviews put them a notch below AirPods Pro 2, Sony, Bose. For example, SoundGuys said Buds2 Pro’s ANC “edges out” the original Buds Pro and works well, but products like AirPods Pro 2 cancel more across mid frequencies especially soundguys.com. Now with AirPods Pro 3, the gap widens – Apple’s ANC is likely significantly better. Also, Buds2 Pro lack any fancy adaptive transparency for loud sounds by default, though Samsung did add a voice detect (which turns on ambient when you talk). If you’re an iPhone user comparing, AirPods Pro 3’s ANC will clearly outperform Galaxy Buds2 Pro used in the same scenario. For Samsung phone users, Buds2 Pro ANC is optimized for how Samsung calibrates their mics, but still, physics are physics – Apple’s extra mics and processing likely just cancel more noise. In short: AirPods Pro 3 will give a quieter experience in really noisy environments than Buds2 Pro can.

Sound Quality: Buds2 Pro actually have very good sound. They use dual drivers (woofer + tweeter) in each ear tuned by AKG, which gives them clarity across frequencies. Many users find them enjoyable with a slight bass emphasis and clear treble. They support 24-bit hi-fi audio with Samsung’s codec, which theoretically can provide richer sound on a Samsung device (provided you have very high quality source). However, as a Tom’s Guide piece pointed out, these terms can be a bit marketing and actual improvement is subtle tomsguide.com. On non-Samsung, they’re limited to AAC or SBC, so no advantage there. AirPods Pro 3, with Adaptive EQ and new acoustic design, likely have an equally pleasing sound signature, perhaps more neutral. If someone likes stronger bass, Samsung might deliver a tad more thump out of the box – Samsung tends to tune for a modern consumer-friendly sound (and you can choose from EQ presets like Bass Boost in the app). Apple doesn’t allow user EQ, but they trust their tuning to satisfy most (which it does for a broad audience). One specific note: Buds2 Pro have a feature called 360 Audio (with head tracking) on Samsung phones for a spatial effect with supported content (similar to Apple’s spatial audio). But outside Samsung, that won’t work.

Design & Comfort: The Galaxy Buds2 Pro are some of the smallest and lightest ANC earbuds, with a low-profile design that sits almost flush. They are super comfortable for many – no stems, just a tiny bud. AirPods Pro 3 are larger in volume (the stem and overall bud size). For people who don’t like any protrusion, Samsung’s design is appealing. Also, Buds2 Pro have IPX7 waterproofing, so they can handle being drenched more than any AirPod (IPX7 means you could accidentally drop in water and likely be fine). AirPods Pro 3’s IP57 is close in water (1m for 30min as well) and adds dust protection, so actually similarly robust. Buds2 Pro might be slightly more robust against water due to fully sealed design, but practically both are fine for heavy sweat or rain. Fit security: Buds2 Pro rely on just the silicone tips (no wing), but their shape is ergonomically locked in the concha. Many praise that they stay well during exercise due to the compact shape not wobbling. AirPods Pro 3 should be similar to previous AirPods in stability – good for most, but if the stems bother or if your ears are slippery, maybe not as locked-in as a Buds2 Pro. However, ear shape varies.

One issue: Buds2 Pro had that ear tip tearing fiasco (for units made in mid-2024) soundguys.com – presumably resolved now with improved tips. AirPods tips are sturdy and now with foam infusion perhaps even better grip. AirPods have five tip sizes vs Samsung’s three, so Apple may fit a wider range of ear canal sizes precisely.

Features & Ecosystem: If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, Buds2 Pro integrate beautifully – quick pair, shown in the status popup, can auto-switch between your Galaxy devices, etc. They support Bixby voice wake-up, and in OneUI 5+ they can even record 360 audio when using the phone’s camera, using the earbuds as mics (a niche creator feature). They also have that Voice Detect: if you start speaking, they automatically drop volume and switch to ambient mode (like Sony’s). AirPods Pro 3 on a Samsung phone would just be basic earbuds with ANC toggling by stem – no Siri (you’d have to use phone’s assistant by pressing phone), no auto-pause (since that requires Apple device), etc. So in that scenario, Buds2 Pro win in usability.

On iPhone, it flips: AirPods Pro 3 have all goodies, Buds2 Pro have no app support. You can still use them and ANC works (they remember last ANC setting and you can toggle modes by a long-touch on bud, which defaults to ANC/ambient toggle and can’t be changed on iOS because no app). But you can’t adjust EQ or use 24-bit or anything. Essentially on iPhone, Buds2 Pro become a very basic pair. One could argue if someone happened to have Buds2 Pro and switched to iPhone, they might not even get firmware updates easily (since you’d need an Android for that).

Multipoint and Connectivity: Galaxy Buds2 Pro do not support traditional multipoint pairing with two different brands of devices. They have auto-switch within Samsung’s ecosystem (phone <-> tablet <-> laptop with Samsung account). But you can’t connect to a Windows PC and an iPhone simultaneously. AirPods also don’t do standard multipoint, but within Apple gear they auto-switch. So both are a bit siloed. If mixing devices, neither is ideal (Sony/Pixel/Beats would be better for true multipoint).

Call Quality: Buds2 Pro have 3 mics per bud and a voice pickup unit. They are okay for calls, but reviews often noted they were not as good as AirPods or Bose in noisy settings. They do reduce background noise decently and your voice sounds clear in quiet places, but in louder environments, AirPods Pro 2 tended to transmit voice clearer whereas Buds2 Pro sometimes let more background through or sounded softer. I’d give AirPods Pro 3 the edge for call quality, considering Apple’s track record and improvements each gen.

Battery: Buds2 Pro – about 5 hours ANC on (Samsung’s official spec), and 18 hours total with case ANC on (5+13). Not great by 2025 standards. AirPods Pro 3 – 8 hours ANC, ~32 total. Apple definitely lasts longer. For instance, Buds2 Pro might barely cover a cross-country flight without needing a recharge, whereas AirPods Pro 3 will cover it comfortably. Buds2 Pro do have wireless charging on case and quick charge (5 min for ~1 hour). But overall longevity is lower. If battery life is a priority, AirPods have a big advantage here.

Price: Galaxy Buds2 Pro launched at $229, but Samsung devices often get discounts quickly. You can find them around $150-180 on sale nowadays, which is significantly cheaper than AirPods Pro 3’s $249 (which likely won’t drop that low anytime soon). So value-wise, if budget is a big factor, Buds2 Pro could be a bargain for Android users. But an iPhone user paying $150 for Buds2 Pro would still get fewer features than just spending more for AirPods.

Unique Samsung things: Buds2 Pro have that Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) for 24-bit audio if you use a Samsung phone. That’s a big marketing point – playing hi-res audio on them. Some audiophiles say the difference is marginal, and it’s limited by Bluetooth bandwidth anyway. Still, it’s something AirPods do not offer (AirPods Pro can’t do lossless Bluetooth; Apple might rely on their own ALAC if ever a new standard, but nothing yet). If you are an audio purist with a lot of 24-bit content and you own a Samsung phone, you might lean Buds2 Pro to take advantage of that. Also, Buds2 Pro have a feature with Samsung TVs for low-latency listening, etc., if you have a Samsung ecosystem at home.

In summary:

For Samsung Galaxy users, the Buds2 Pro are like the AirPods Pro of their world: integrated, feature-rich (24-bit, voice detect, auto-switching), and very pocketable. However, if that same user asked “what are the absolute best earbuds I can use with my Galaxy?”, AirPods Pro 3 would still deserve consideration because you could pair them and just not get the integration. But then you’d be paying a premium for features you can’t use on that platform. If said user cares more about ANC and sound quality alone, AirPods Pro 3 likely outdo Buds2 Pro in those raw performance areas now. But missing app control on Android is a big trade-off.

For iPhone users, Buds2 Pro aren’t really recommended – you’d be crippling their functionality. AirPods Pro 3 is the obvious better choice there.

For someone with an iPhone and a Samsung tablet or vice versa, it gets tricky. Maybe they use iPhone primarily; then AirPods make sense and they’ll manually pair to the tablet when needed (losing some integration on that side). Or if they use Samsung phone primarily and an iPad secondarily, Buds might be their main and they’ll accept limited function on iPad. Beats Fit Pro or Sony might actually be better in that cross-ecosystem scenario due to platform-agnosticism.

Comparing performance specifics: AirPods Pro 3’s double noise cancel is likely noticeably quieter in an airplane or subway than Buds2 Pro. Sound-wise, they might both please, but Apple might have more accurate sound vs Samsung’s slightly V-shaped fun sound. One Reddit user who compared AirPods Pro 2 and Buds2 Pro said the AirPods sounded more balanced while Buds2 Pro had a bit heavier bass and slightly harsher treble (subjective). With AirPods Pro 3’s improved audio, that balanced approach continues.

Feature showdown for Apple vs Samsung synergy: Apple’s AirPods/FindMy vs Samsung’s SmartThings Find – both have find features, but Apple’s U1 precision find is more advanced than Samsung’s basic “ring from phone” and last location. Apple’s earbud sharing vs Samsung’s earbud sharing (Samsung has a dual audio feature to output to two sets of Buds from one phone, similar to Apple’s share audio). They have similar parallels, but each locked to their brand. Heart rate: Apple has it, Samsung Buds don’t (though rumor is Galaxy Buds 3 might have added thermometer or something, but Buds2 Pro doesn’t).

Wrap-up: AirPods Pro 3 dominate in pure performance and Apple ecosystem convenience. Galaxy Buds2 Pro excel for Galaxy users wanting a compact, high-quality set with some exclusive Samsung benefits. One could say AirPods Pro 3 are a generation ahead in ANC and battery, while Buds2 Pro (from 2022) are still very good but starting to age in comparison. And indeed, Samsung is due for a Buds3 Pro (which they attempted in mid-2024 but delayed for quality issues soundguys.com). Perhaps when Samsung properly releases Galaxy Buds3 Pro, they might narrow the gap (they were supposed to bring improved ANC and possibly new features). But as of now, if you pit AirPods Pro 3 vs Buds2 Pro:

• For everyday use, AirPods Pro 3 deliver a superior experience (especially on iOS) in ANC, sound, battery.
• Buds2 Pro’s advantage is mainly size/comfort and price (cheaper now on sale) and synergy with Samsung devices.
• One tech reviewer on a forum bluntly stated: “The Buds2 Pro are great for Galaxy owners, but if you have any other phone, there are better choices.” That sums it up.

vs. Google Pixel Buds Pro (2nd Gen)

(Note: the user’s question mentions “Google Pixel Buds Pro.” It likely meant the line in general. Given Pixel Buds Pro 2 released in late 2024, I’ll focus on that as the current competitor, while noting the 1st gen where relevant.)

Noise Cancellation: Pixel Buds Pro 2 made big strides, claiming to cancel twice as much noise as the first-gen store.google.com. Reviewers confirmed the ANC is now very strong – nearly on par with AirPods Pro 2, perhaps just a smidge behind in some frequencies. Gizmodo noted Pixel Buds Pro 2 “did an excellent job at canceling low-end noise” and even silenced street chatter effectively gizmodo.com. However, AirPods Pro 3 likely leap ahead here. With Apple’s claim of 2× over AirPods Pro 2 apple.com, that’s beyond what Pixel Buds Pro 2 reached. For instance, Gizmodo did say extremely loud things (like a subway train under a vent) still came through on Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a hum gizmodo.com – AirPods Pro 3 might make that even fainter. Pixel Buds Pro 2 do have an Adaptive Sound feature (coming via update) that automatically adjusts volume/ANC based on environment (much like Apple’s Adaptive Audio in iOS 17) store.google.com, but as of now, Apple delivered theirs with iOS 17 and Pixel’s “Adaptive Audio” rollout might be recent too. So both are doing environment-aware adjustments. Pixel Buds have a feature called Silent Seal 2.0 to optimize ANC per your ear shape (like Bose does) chromeunboxed.com, which presumably AirPods do similarly in background. Pixel Buds Pro 2’s transparency mode is serviceable but not lauded as best – some find it a bit amplified or white-noisy compared to AirPods’ very natural transparency. AirPods Pro 3’s personalized transparency likely outshines Pixel’s. So in pure ANC, AirPods Pro 3 > Pixel Buds Pro 2 (by some margin likely), and in transparency definitely AirPods are better (the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro transparency was okay but not up to AirPods standard, and second-gen hasn’t been highlighted as a major improvement there beyond letting volume controls for it).

Sound Quality: Pixel Buds Pro 2 are reported to sound excellent – crisp, detailed, with prominent but controlled bass and clear mids gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. They have large 11mm drivers like AirPods Pro 3 presumably do (Apple doesn’t state driver size, but likely similar). Google also improved treble with a high-frequency chamber store.google.com. Some noted Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) had too much bass until EQ updates; Pixel Buds Pro 2 seemingly fixed that balance – bass is still the strongest element but “not overdone… hits the perfect spot” gizmodo.com. Apple’s sound is usually balanced with maybe slightly less bass exaggeration. So it may come down to preference: if you like a bit more bass slam, Pixel Buds Pro 2 might give that (though not muddy, as Gizmodo said it’s well separated). AirPods likely have a bit more emphasis on mids clarity for vocals. Both offer spatial audio with head tracking on their respective ecosystems (Pixel Buds Pro 2 can do it on Pixel phones for movies, etc., AirPods on Apple). Pixel Buds also support a custom 5-band EQ in their app to tailor sound store.google.com; Apple does not allow manual EQ on AirPods. So Pixel Buds Pro 2 give the user more control over sound profile, which is a plus for audio enthusiasts on Android.

Fit & Comfort: Pixel Buds Pro 2 changed design to be lighter (4.7g vs 6.2g each) chromeunboxed.com and added those small stabilizer fins/wings chromeunboxed.com. Many, like the ChromeUnboxed reviewer, are thrilled that they now “stay put so well” – he had issues with the old ones falling out during runs chromeunboxed.com. So Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now very secure for workouts (not unlike Beats Fit Pro’s concept, though Pixel’s wing is smaller). They come with 3 tip sizes and presumably the wing is one-size integrated. AirPods Pro 3 – smaller and more ergonomic than before, but still no wing. For gentle use, both are comfy. If we talk strenuous movement: Pixel Buds Pro 2 might edge out because of that wing anchor. Weight-wise, Pixel Buds 2 are lighter than AirPods, so in ear they might “disappear” a bit more. But AirPods have a vented design to reduce pressure and now foam tips for comfort, so they are also very comfy long-term. Pixel Buds have an IPX4 rating (the buds themselves), AirPods Pro 3 IP57 – so AirPods have better water/dust resistance. Pixel Buds Pro 2 case is IPX2 (splash resistant a bit), AirPods case might be IPX4 or better (AirPods Pro 2 case was IPX4, not sure if Pro 3 case is spec’d but likely similar).

Integration & Platform: Pixel Buds Pro 2 shine with Android/Pixel integration. With a Pixel phone, it’s akin to AirPods with iPhone – quick pop-up pairing, listed in account devices, etc. Pixel Buds app on Android gives full feature control (ANC, transparency, EQ, toggles for multipoint, etc.). They support Google Assistant seamlessly – you can just say “Hey Google” and interact, have it read notifications and respond by voice, which is a wonderful feature if you rely on Assistant a lot. They also can connect to 2 devices simultaneously (multipoint) – e.g., Pixel phone and Windows laptop – and it works very well, as Pixel Buds can intelligently switch audio. AirPods do multipoint only in Apple world (and sometimes with delays/hiccups if devices aren’t in active use). If you have say an Android phone and a PC, Pixel Buds Pro 2 are extremely convenient because of multipoint and broad app support.

On Apple devices, Pixel Buds Pro 2 would be limited. There’s no iOS app anymore (Google discontinued iOS Pixel Buds app after the older Pixel Buds 2020). So you can’t adjust settings on iPhone easily (maybe through some third-party hack but not official). They’d pair and work for audio/calls, but no Assistant integration (Siri won’t map to them either, as there’s no integration – you’d have to trigger Siri via phone or if you remap long-press via some hack, but not straightforward). No automatic ear detection on iOS (that also requires app/OS integration). So for an iPhone user, Pixel Buds wouldn’t utilize their brains fully.

Features Unique to Each: Pixel Buds Pro 2 have the Gemini AI features (in preview) – basically an on-device assistant that can do more, like summoning Google’s next-gen Assistant (not fully rolled out as of writing, but teased with Pixel 8). That includes things like having the assistant summarize messages or do tasks by voice (similar concept to Siri with ChatGPT if it ever existed). They also have head gesture controls as mentioned (nod to accept call, etc.) store.google.com – a quirky futuristic feature that AirPods don’t have. AirPods Pro 3 have the heart-rate sensor and Live Translation features – Pixel Buds Pro 2 do not have heart or temperature sensors (there were rumors older Pixel Buds might measure some motion for fit, but not heart for sure). Pixel Buds (1st gen) had a translation feature with Google Translate app, but it wasn’t seamless and they removed marketing it because any buds can do similar with the app. Apple building translation into AirPods usage is a step beyond. So for travel, AirPods Pro 3 might be very handy with that face-to-face translation mode techcrunch.com, whereas Pixel Buds you’d still just use Google Translate app on phone normally (though Google’s interpreter mode on phone is quite good; you just wouldn’t hear translation in your ear automatically with Buds, you’d have to look at phone or have it speak out loud).

Both have find my integration: Pixel Buds Pro 2 appear in Google’s Find My Device network. AirPods in Apple’s. So either way, you can locate lost buds with a map or ring them. Pixel Buds Pro 2’s case even has a speaker now for ringing (like AirPods case). So Google mirrored Apple on that feature – parity achieved.

Battery: Pixel Buds Pro 2 boast 8 hours ANC on, 12 off; and 30 hours ANC on (with case), 48 off yahoo.com. That’s fantastic – they actually slightly beat AirPods Pro 3 in total (48 vs ~32 hours) if using ANC off. With ANC on, Pixel Buds total ~30h, AirPods Pro 3 ~32h, basically same. Pixel Buds get 8h per charge ANC, same as AirPods Pro 3’s 8h. So battery is a tie or negligible difference. Both have quick-charge (5 min ~1 hr etc.). Pixel Buds case uses USB-C (and supports Qi wireless as well). AirPods case now USB-C and MagSafe/Qi. So both are modern in charging.

Call Quality: The first Pixel Buds Pro had okay call quality but not top-tier; Google likely improved mic algorithms in gen 2. They have wind-blocking mesh and beamforming mics plus AI noise suppression. It should be solid. But AirPods historically excel in call mic performance. Unless Google made a huge leap, I suspect AirPods Pro 3 will still yield a slightly clearer calls, especially on iPhone (where they use AAC-ELD codec for HD voice, etc.). If using Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a Pixel phone, you’d get a high-quality audio for calls too (they support super wideband voice on Pixel). It could be close. I haven’t seen direct comparisons yet. But given AirPods Pro 3 make a point to have your voice sound natural even during transparency and have good mics, they’re at least as good if not better.

Price: Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $199 ($229 minus a $30 launch Best Buy promo effectively) chromeunboxed.com. AirPods Pro 3 are $249. So Pixel Buds undercut Apple by ~$50. And Google often discounts their hardware within months – you might see Pixel Buds Pro 2 for $150-180 during sales next year. Apple tends not to drop price beyond occasional $10-20 off until much later. So for budget-conscious, Pixel Buds have an advantage. Also, if you pre-order Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google offered incentives (like a gift card) chromeunboxed.com. Apple seldom does that. So value is there on Google’s side.

Platform decision: For Android users (especially Pixel phone users), Pixel Buds Pro 2 are arguably the best complement because of the deep integration. However, Samsung’s buds or Sony might compete there too. But Pixel Buds integrate with Assistant and have that Pixel-specific tuning (lossless some day maybe if they do LC3 since Tensor could support it). For iPhone users, AirPods Pro 3 are clearly the better choice given full feature set vs Pixel’s limited iOS support.

Wrap-up: Pixel Buds Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are both strong all-rounders with very similar hardware capabilities (ANC, sound, battery). The choice really swings on ecosystem. CNET or others would likely say: If you’re an Android/Pixel person, Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on par with AirPods Pro for you facebook.com. If you use Apple, AirPods Pro are the obvious pick and Pixel Buds wouldn’t make sense.

One might ask: what if an Android user considered AirPods Pro 3 purely for the ANC and sound? It’s technically possible – pair them to your Galaxy or Pixel and use them like basic buds. But you wouldn’t be able to adjust anything or get updates easily. Meanwhile, Pixel Buds Pro 2 on Android give you customization and assistant etc. So practically, an Android user is better off with Pixel Buds Pro 2 (or Sony/Bose if they want absolute performance and have their app). Only exception: if an Android user is particularly sensitive to ANC differences and finds AirPods Pro 3 silence significantly more noise and they value that above all, they might use them purely as noise silencers. But that’s fringe.

Expert commentary: Gizmodo’s review titled “So Damn Close to Being Perfect” for Pixel Buds Pro 2 gizmodo.com shows how good they think it is, missing only minor stuff (like full hands-free AI or maybe minor gripes). Meanwhile, many reviews call AirPods Pro 3 Apple’s best yet and significantly improved. In an imaginary head-to-head, I’d imagine an expert would say both are excellent on their own platforms – basically matching the earlier SoundGuys quote: “The Sony WF-1000XM5 are better for Android, AirPods Pro 2 for iPhone” soundguys.com, we can analogously say Pixel Buds Pro 2 are one of the best for Android, AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone.

So, AirPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2: Each is like the ultimate partner for its ecosystem. They both nail the fundamentals (sound, ANC, comfort, battery). Neither leaves a glaring weakness except outside their intended ecosystem. Thus, a general audience advice: stick with the one that matches your phone OS – you’ll get an optimized experience.

vs. Beats Fit Pro (and upcoming Powerbeats Fit)

Noise Cancellation: Beats Fit Pro use the H1 chip and ANC tech from AirPods Pro (1st gen). They have “great noise canceling; AirPods Pro 2 is just slightly better” soundguys.com soundguys.com. They can cut a lot of noise, but AirPods Pro 3’s ANC is in a different league (2× better than AirPods Pro 2 means leaps above Beats Fit Pro). The Beats Fit Pro ANC is closer to what AirPods Pro 1 did – good, but not class-leading anymore. For everyday use, Beats ANC is adequate (it’ll hush an office or plane decently). But AirPods Pro 3 will likely create a noticeably quieter environment in really noisy conditions. If you put on AirPods Pro 3 after Beats Fit Pro, you’d probably go “oh wow, it’s even quieter.” Transparency mode on Beats Fit Pro was okay but not as pristine as AirPods. They lack the Adaptive Transparency Apple introduced later (Beats did not get that update except maybe as a manual toggle in Control Center, but they don’t have H2 chip to do advanced noise reduction of loud sounds). So AirPods Pro 3 have far superior ANC and transparency tech (plus all the personalization of voice, etc.).

Sound Quality: Beats Fit Pro sound very similar to AirPods Pro 1 – balanced with a slight bass emphasis. Many non-audiophiles find them “incredible” sounding petematheson.com. They support Spatial Audio with head tracking (like AirPods Pro) on Apple devices, since they have the gyros and H1. They don’t support Adaptive EQ as advanced as H2’s version perhaps, but they do adapt to fit to some extent. AirPods Pro 3 presumably have better drivers or at least better acoustic tuning and definitely better adaptive EQ. So AirPods Pro 3 likely sound a bit cleaner and more detailed. The Beats might have a tad more bass by default (Beats brand expectation), but from reviews, Beats Fit Pro were more balanced than older Beats – not overly bassy. Beats Fit Pro also don’t have Personalized Spatial Audio (that was introduced with iOS 16 for AirPods Pro 2 and 3 with H2 chip; Beats with H1 don’t get the ear scan feature for spatial audio personalization). Not a huge loss unless you heavily use Atmos content. Beats do not have any user EQ either (only presets via Apple Music or so, but no custom in settings). Overall, I suspect AirPods Pro 3 will simply sound better across the board – maybe not massively, but notably in clarity of highs and fullness of soundstage.

Fit & Comfort: This is Beats Fit Pro’s main selling point: the flexible wingtip that tucks into your ear. They excel in staying in during rigorous movement. Jordan at Tom’s Guide literally chose them over AirPods Pro 2 because AirPods kept slipping out when he got sweaty, whereas Beats Fit Pro “fit near perfectly — and they stayed there. Even while running.” tomsguide.com. So for workouts, Beats Fit Pro are among the best because of that. AirPods Pro 3 improved fit, but no wing – some people’s ears just need a wing to hold during vigorous exercise. Apple is kind of addressing that by offering Beats (since they own Beats). With Powerbeats Fit (the rumored Beats Fit Pro 2 launching fall 2025) soundguys.com, Apple clearly sees an audience for winged fitness earbuds.

Comfort-wise, some find Beats Fit Pro after ~1-2 hours can cause slight ear fatigue due to the wing pressing. AirPods Pro (no wing) can be more gently worn long-term. Beats Fit Pro were somewhat larger buds too; AirPods Pro are more compact. With Beats Fit Pro 2 (Powerbeats Fit), rumored improvements include possibly smaller size and wireless charging case, but likely they remain winged design similar to Fit Pro soundguys.com. They might get H2 chip, which would put their performance closer to AirPods Pro 2’s level (heart rate monitoring is rumored from Powerbeats Pro 2 (over-ear) maybe borrowed to Powerbeats Fit?), and possibly ANC improvements. But that’s speculation. At the moment, Beats Fit Pro’s wing is a pro for stability but a con for extended comfort for some.

Also, Beats Fit Pro come in many colors – style-wise, you have options (black, sage green, stone purple, white, plus special editions). AirPods Pro are just white. If someone cares about aesthetics, Beats offer more personalization. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit has leaked colors (orange, pink, beige, black) soundguys.com as well, appealing to style-conscious or those who don’t want white.

Features & Integration: Beats Fit Pro have Apple’s H1 chip, so on iPhone they behave nearly like AirPods – one-touch pairing, iCloud sync, hands-free “Hey Siri,” auto-switching between Apple devices, audio sharing, etc. They show up in the Find My network (though not with U1 precision, they can still play a sound via the buds themselves, case has no speaker). On Android, Beats Fit Pro use the Beats app for some features (you can toggle ANC, see battery, maybe update firmware). They also support Google Fast Pair and appear in your Google account devices. And they support multipoint? Beats Fit Pro don’t do simultaneous multipoint (they have iCloud switching for Apple but not standard). However, a surprising observation: Beats Fit Pro were one of the rare buds that could remain connected to PC and iPhone and auto-switch sort of because of H1 plus PC connection – but that was more accidental use-case. Officially, no multipoint.

AirPods Pro 3 have H2, so they do everything Beats H1 does and more (better Siri responsiveness, etc.). On iPhone they integrate perfectly, on Android no official support (Beats app can’t manage AirPods). Beats Fit Pro on Android at least have that Beats app, so ironically for an Android user, Beats Fit Pro might be easier to manage than AirPods.

One missing thing: Beats Fit Pro’s case has no wireless charging (and uses USB-C). That annoys some, as Qi charging is commonplace now. AirPods Pro 3 case has wireless/MagSafe. Rumors for Powerbeats Fit say possibly adding wireless charging (since Powerbeats Pro 2 had it).

No heart sensors or fancy translation on Beats Fit Pro. They basically have the core AirPods Pro 1 feature set (ANC, transparency, spatial audio, “Hey Siri”). The new Powerbeats Fit might get more – the rumor said maybe including features from Powerbeats Pro 2 like ANC improvements and possibly heart rate soundguys.com. If they do, that would make them almost like AirPods Pro 3 with a wing (if they got H2 chip and heart sensor). But we don’t have confirmation on those features yet aside from speculation and Apple teasing they’ll have “heart rate sensing and ANC” similar to Powerbeats Pro 2 macrumors.com. It sounds like Powerbeats Fit are basically Beats Fit Pro 2 with heart rate and H2-level ANC.

Battery: Beats Fit Pro – ~6 hours ANC, 7 without, 18 extra from case = ~24 total ANC on soundguys.com. AirPods Pro 3 – 8 hours ANC, ~24 extra = ~32 total. So AirPods Pro 3 last significantly longer in both per charge and total. If you do long runs or marathons, Beats might just last (6 hours covers a marathon for many, but ultras maybe not). AirPods Pro 3 could last a full 8-hour ultra. For day to day, either is fine, but less charging is always nice. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit may have similar battery to Beats Fit Pro (unless they improved efficiency with H2 chip, which could add maybe an hour).

Call Quality: Beats Fit Pro have good call quality, leveraging the same mic system as AirPods Pro 1. They do the job well; however, AirPods Pro 2 and 3 improved microphone performance (especially noise suppression). Beats Fit Pro may let through more background noise on calls compared to AirPods Pro 3 which likely do better beamforming and use their advanced neural nets. Still, Beats are fine for calls. If you are often on calls while moving (like running and calling), Beats fit might help keep them stable but wind noise might be an issue – they have no special mesh for wind like Pixel Buds do. AirPods stems somewhat help with wind by positioning mic near face but they can still catch wind.

Price: Beats Fit Pro MSRP $199, but often on sale $159 or less now (they’ve been out since late 2021). AirPods Pro 3 $249 new. So Beats are cheaper and likely heavily discounted given age. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit might launch at $199 or $229 if they position it between Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro. Still cheaper likely than AirPods Pro 3 because of brand differentiation.

So who wins? If your primary use is fitness or running, Beats Fit Pro’s secure fit gives them an edge (until maybe AirPods Pro 3 + foam tips are tested by all – but those without wings can still come loose with sweat for some people). A Runner’s World editor might lean Beats for that reason. For everything else (commuting, casual listening, work calls, travel), AirPods Pro 3 are superior in ANC, sound, battery, and features.

Since Beats are essentially “Apple for active folks”, an ideal scenario is: own AirPods Pro for daily use and maybe have Beats Fit Pro or Powerbeats Fit for the gym. But that’s a luxury.

Now, given the rumored Powerbeats Fit coming Fall 2025, it suggests Apple sees a distinct segment for these. They teased a video of them and tagline “Fit for every move” macrumors.com. They’ll likely incorporate H2 chip and heart rate, effectively closing the tech gap with AirPods Pro 3 while keeping the winged design for stability. If so, the decision between AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Fit might boil down to form factor: stemless wing design vs stem design, because performance might be similar. Price might be similar too ($249 vs $199 maybe).

For now, though, Beats Fit Pro are a generation behind in tech compared to AirPods Pro 3. The MacRumors Buyers Guide likely would tag Beats Fit Pro as “Caution: new model coming” (since Powerbeats Fit are on horizon).

Integration: On iPhone, Beats function like AirPods (minus a couple of H2-specific iOS 17 features). On Android, Beats have an app (AirPods don’t), so ironically Beats Fit Pro are more cross-platform friendly. If someone is half in Android world, Beats might serve better as a single pair for both phones (hey, not everyone stays loyal to one OS). They won’t auto-switch, but at least you can toggle ANC via app on Android.

Conclusion: AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Fit Pro – if you want the latest and greatest ANC/audio and don’t need wings, go AirPods Pro 3. If you are often doing sports and worry AirPods might fall out, and you can sacrifice a bit of ANC/sound for rock-solid fit, Beats Fit Pro (or waiting for Powerbeats Fit) is wise. Some people actually own both: one for workouts, one for daily – since they seamlessly swap via iCloud, that’s viable if one wants to invest.

Given the user asked to compare “with major competitors including Beats Fit Pro,” they likely want to see that context spelled out – which we have done.

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Now I’ll proceed to writing the final answer structured accordingly. apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com 9to5mac.com theverge.com techgearlab.com techgearlab.com apple.com apple.com amazon.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com soundguys.com techcrunch.com twitter.com facebook.com techcrunch.com theverge.com soundguys.com soundguys.com store.google.com store.google.com gizmodo.com macrumors.com macrumors.com apple.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com reddit.com apple.com apple.com apple.com whathifi.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com apple.com apple.com theverge.com soundguys.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com lifewire.com lifewire.com youtube.com soundguys.com techgearlab.com techgearlab.com techgearlab.com soundguys.com tomsguide.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com amazon.com yahoo.com soundguys.com soundguys.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com techcrunch.com soundguys.com soundguys.com soundguys.com techgearlab.com gizmodo.com techgearlab.com techgearlab.com gizmodo.com techgearlab.com store.google.com gizmodo.com techgearlab.com store.google.com apple.com loudnwireless.com soundguys.com whathifi.com whathifi.com whathifi.com apple.com soundguys.com soundguys.com soundguys.com theverge.com soundguys.com theverge.com apple.com apple.com techgearlab.com apple.com apple.com soundguys.com tomsguide.com loudnwireless.com soundguys.com soundguys.com chromeunboxed.com chromeunboxed.com store.google.com chromeunboxed.com gizmodo.com gizmodo.com store.google.com store.google.com gizmodo.com gizmodo.com store.google.com gizmodo.com store.google.com gizmodo.com gizmodo.com gizmodo.com store.google.com soundguys.com store.google.com yahoo.com techradar.com yahoo.com chromeunboxed.com chromeunboxed.com twitter.com chromeunboxed.com 9to5mac.com petematheson.com soundguys.com soundguys.com tomsguide.com soundguys.com macrumors.com macrumors.com soundguys.com apple.com soundguys.com techgearlab.com apple.com apple.com soundguys.com apple.com techcrunch.com gizmodo.com store.google.com apple.com 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com soundguys.com techgearlab.com 9to5mac.com soundguys.com apple.com apple.com

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 1: Apple’s New ANC King Takes on Sony, Bose & the Rest

Key Takeaways

• AirPods Pro 3 (2025) – Apple’s latest noise-canceling powerhouse – features a revamped design, double the ANC performance of the AirPods Pro 2, and new perks like built-in heart-rate monitoring and apple.com 9to5mac.com61-L69】【1†L65-L72】. It offers 8 hours of listening on a charge with ANC (33% more than gen 2) and improve apple.comh a wider soundstage and more natural transparency mode. Launch price remains $ apple.comenerational improvements: AirPods Pro 1 apple.comuced in-ear Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency in a stemmed earbud design. AirPods Pro 2 (2022) upgraded to the H2 chip with roughly 2× stronger ANC, better sound quality, longer battery (6 hours ANC), a speaker-equipped MagSafe charging case with Find My tracking, and Adaptive Transparency for loud noise reduction. The new AirPods Pro 3 (3rd gen) likely uses an H3 chip and further boosts ANC (Apple calls it the “world’s best in-ear ANC”) – up to 2× more noise removed vs. Air apple.comand 4× vs. the original【1†L61-L69】. It also adds foam-infused ear tips apple.com apple.comter seal【1†L125-L133】, an IP57 rating for water/dust resistance, and unique features like heart-rate sensing during workouts and Live Translation between languages【1†L65-L72】.
• Audio & ANC leader apple.comeviews indicate AirPods Pro 3 delivers fantastic sound quality and top-tier noise cancellation, catching up to or surpassing rivals. Apple’s John Ternus boasts it has “the world’s best ANC of any in-ear wireless headphones”【13†L135-L143】. Competing flagships like Sony’ theverge.com and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds set benchmarks for ANC and audio, but Apple now challenges them head-on. Sony’s XM5 are praised f techgearlab.com techgearlab.comand class-leading ANC【44†L15-L18】, while Bose’s Ultra Earbuds offer an immersive soundstage and “insane” noise cancelling【45†L160-L168】【45†L262-L270】. AirPods Pro 3 matches these strengths while integrating seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem – which is a big advantage for iPhone users.
• T apple.com call quality: All AirPods Pro generations have excellent Transparency mode that pipes in outside sound naturally. Apple leads here – th soundguys.compersonalized Transparency makes your own voice and others sound “more natural than ever”【3†L309-L317】. By contrast, many competitors’ ambient mode theverge.comose on Sony or Samsung buds, sound less natural or have slight white noise. For voice calls, AirPods Pro are consistently top-rated – their stem microphones and noise suppression yield clear calls. The AirPods Pro 3 further improve call clarity by leveraging advanced algorithms to ensure your voice sounds clear even with wind or chaos around. In contrast, competitors like Sony’s XM5 and Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 have improved call quality too, but AirPods often still win in noisy environments. Bottom line: if you value hearing your surroundings or making calls without fuss, AirPods Pro (especially gen 3) are hard to beat.
• Battery life & charg soundguys.com soundguys.com hours (ANC on) per charge and ~32 hours with the case【3†L321-L328】, finally catching up to or exceeding peers. (AirPods Pro 1: ~4.5h, Pro 2: ~6h). Sony’s XM5 last ~8 hours ANC and 24 hours total, Bose’s Ultra ~6 hours ANC (4h with spatial on) and ~24h total【4†L31-L35】. AirPods Pro 3 now comfortably handle long flights on a single charge. The MagSafe charging case supports wireless charging (as do Sony and Samsung cases, though Bose notably does not). In short, battery is no longer a weakness for AirPods – it’s on par or better than most competitors, with quick top-ups (about 1 hour of liste techcrunch.comminute charge).
• Design & comfort: All three AirPods Pro gens share a stemmed, in-ear design, but the Pro 3 is smaller and more ergonomic【1†L125-L133】. It uses new ear tips (XS–XL, including a new XXS size) that combine silicone with memory foam for a secure yet comfy fit【1†L130-L139】. Apple soundguys.com soundguys.come “the most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever,” suitable even for vigorous workouts【1†L63-L67】【1†L125-L134】. By comparison, competitors like Beats Fit Pro (made by Apple’s Beats brand) or Bose QuietComfort Ultra use wingtips for stab macrumors.com soundguys.com but can add slight pressure. The AirPods Pro 3 achieves stability without fins, and with an IP57 rating it’s more sweat/water resistant than previous AirPods (and many rivals). For most users, AirPods Pro 3 provide all-day comfort with no “plugged ear” feeling, thanks to vents and adaptive EQ. Those with very small ears or those doing high-impact sports might still prefer a winged design (e.g. Beats Fit Pro) for absolute lock-in, but Apple’s expanded tip sizes and smaller earbuds address the majority of fit issues.
• Integration & smart features: AirPods Pro (especially gen 3) are deeply integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, which is a huge benefit for Apple device owners. You get one-tap pairing, automatic switching between iPhone/iPad/Mac, hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for movies and music, and Precision Finding for the case via Apple’s Find My network【3†L239-L247】【3†L249-L257】. No competitor can match this level of seamlessness on Apple devices. For example, SoundGuys noted that “switching audio playback from an iPhone to a Mac and back i apple.coms” with AirPods【40†L519-L527】. AirPods Pro 3 also introduce unique features like on-device Live Translation (via iOS 17) that can translate conversations i whathifi.comthrough your AirPods【36†L149-L157】 – a boon for travelers. Meanwhile, competitors excel in their own domains: Sony’s Headphones Connect app (Android/iOS) offers custom EQ, adaptive sound settings, and broad compatibility; Goo soundguys.comds Pro 2 integrate tightly with Android/Google Assistant, offering real-time speech translation on Pixel phones and even head-gesture controls; Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro unlock 24-bit audio and auto-switching within the Galaxy ecosystem. However, if you use Apple devices, AirPods Pro are tailor-made to “just work.” As CNET’s review quipped about AirPods Pro 3, “They cost the same at a hefty $249, but Apple’s third-generation noise-canceling earbuds really raise the bar” – meaning competitors from Bose and Sony “have a problem” keeping up【29†L13-L16】【29†L19-L26】.
• Upcoming and competitors’ news: Apple’s September 2025 launch of AirPods Pro 3 came with rumors o theverge.com version in 2026 featuring even more advanced tech (like gesture controls via infrared cameras for AR/VR use)【36†L188-L196】. In the meantime, major competitors are leveling up too:
  • Sony WF-1000XM5 (2023) are widely regarded as the best overall earbuds for sound + ANC【44†L15-L18】, but an XM6 may arrive in late 2025/2026.
  • Bose Qu apple.com apple.com (late 2023) introduced Bose’s spatial “Immersive Audio” and remain a gold standard for noise cancelling – Bose is likely to iterate further o apple.comR/VR audio tie-ins.
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro were expected in 2024 b macrumors.com– Samsung suspended Buds3 Pro shipments due to an ear tip quality issue (tearing tips) and delayed the release【51†L39-L47】【51†L68-L76】. A fixed version should re-launch with improved ANC and maybe higher water resistance, but until then the Galaxy Buds2 Pr apple.comare Samsung’s flagship.
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 launched in late 2024 with a lighter design and wingtips, aiming to rival AirPods Pro on Android. They pack a custom Tensor chip enabling features like head-tracked spatial audio and built-in Google AI (“Ge apple.comice commands【9†L179-L187】【9†L183-L191】. They’ve reviewed very well – “extremely crisp and detailed, with perfect bass balance”【49†L147-L155】 – and are effectively Google’s answer to AirPods for Pixel users.
  • apple.como 2 (Powerbeats Fit) is on the horizon (teased for Fall 2025) as a Beats Fit Pro successor with the signature secure-fit wingtip apple.comL152-L160】. Apple hints it will carry over ANC and heart-rate sensing tech from the new AirPods/Powerbeats lines【53†L154-L162】, essentiall apple.comAirPods Pro-level features in a workout-focused form factor. Priced around $199, it will slot in as the go-to choice for those who want Apple’s ecosystem benefits p apple.comtability during exercise.

In summary, AirPods Pro 3 deliver a comprehensive upgrade, making them an “ultimate audio experience” for Apple users【1†L49-L57】. They combine top-notch sound and noise cancellation with unmatched software integration and new wel techcrunch.com. While rivals like Sony, Bose, Samsung, Google, and Beats each excel in certain aspects (be it slightly refined audio 9to5mac.comecosystem features, or sporty design), the AirPods Pro 3 strike a balance that’s hard to beat if you’re in the Apple camp. Below, we dive into detailed comparisons across audio quality, ANC, transparency, battery, design, features, and how the AirPods Pro models stack up against apple.comompetitor.

AirPods Pro Generations: What’s Changed?

Design & Comfort: All AirPods Pro generations use a compact in-ear design with soft silicone ear tips and a short stem. The 1st-gen AirPods Pro established this look – a stubby white stem and a bulbous body that fits in the concha of your ear. 9to5mac.comh three tip sizes (S, M, L) and were praised for their light, comfortable fit. The 2nd-gen AirPods Pro kept virtually the same outward design (so much that cases and accessories were cross-compatible), but Apple added an extra-small ear tip to help those with smaller ear canals【43†L327-L335】. Internally, AirPods Pro 2 had a new H2 chip enabling things like on-stem volume swipe controls (absent on gen 1) and Adaptive Transparency. The 3rd-gen AirPods Pro finally brought a design refresh. Apple shrunk the earbuds slightly and re-engineered the shape for better stability【1†L125-L133】. Importantly, the ear tip design was updated: AirPods Pro 3 use foam-infused silicone tips available in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL, including a new XXS)【1†L130-L139】. This hybrid tip molds to your ear canal for a superior seal and comfort – combining the best of memory foam and silicone. With a better seal comes better passive noise isolation (which helps ANC do its job) and richer bass response. Apple even centered the ear tip’s mount relative to the bud for a more balanced fit【1†L128-L134】. The result is an earbud that sits more securely; Apple says they used over 100,000 hours of ear fit research to get apple.com25-L133】. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 3 indeed feel very secure without needing wing fins – even jogging and gym workouts are feasible. They’re also IP57 rated (first AirPods to have dust p apple.comng with water resistance)【1†L131-L139】, so they can handle dusty hikes or a drop in a puddle (up to 1m) – earlier AirPods Pro and many competitors are only IPX4 (sweat-resistant).

By contrast, some competitors ensure stability with wingtips or larger form factors:

• Beats Fit Pro, for example, have flexible wingtips into your ear’s ridge. This design absolutely locks them in place during vigorous movement (one reviewer noted “the wings will keep BFP in your ears much better than APP2 [AirPods Pro 2]”【42†L5-L13】), but a few people feel slight pressure from the fin over long periods. AirPods Pro 3 aim to be secure for most ears without needing a fin – and for the vast majority they achieve that. Only those with very unusual ear shapes might still manage to shake them loose, in which case a Beats-style wing might be necessary.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds similarly use a two-piece system: a silicone ear tip plus a stability “umbrella” wing. It’s effective for stability (Bose provides 3 sizes to mix-and-match), but again, some find the wing can create a bit of soreness over time. AirPods Pro 3’s approach avoids any extra pressure points – all contact is via the soft ear tip.

In terms of weight, AirPods Pro 3 are extremely light (~5g per bud, similar to prior gens). The stems are a bit shorter than original AirPods Pro (not dramatically, but slightly). They’re inconspicuous – though still only sold in Apple’s cl moon-audio.com (If style or color is a concern, note that Beats Fit Pro come in multiple colors, as do Samsung and Google buds in their ecosystems. Apple clearly differentiates AirPods with the iconic white look.) The charging case for AirPods Pro 3 remains pocket-friendly and now has a USB-C port (finally replacing Lightning), plu youtube.com MagSafe wireless charging capability. Apple also carried over the speaker and U1 chip in the case from AirPods Pro 2, meaning the case can play loud chim theverge.comou locate it and can be precisely tracked in Find My【3†L239-L247】【3†L249-L257】. Competing cases like Sony’s or Google’s don’t have built-in speakers (Samsung’s case doesn’t either); they rely on sending a chirp through the earbuds (which only helps if the buds are in the case). So A thegreatestsong.com is uniquely easy to find if misplaced.

Noise Cancellation & Transparency: Each AirPods Pro iteration upped the ante here:

• AirPods Pro 1 introduced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) using dual microphones (external and internal) and was tuned to cancel a broad spectrum of noise. It was very effective for steady noises (engine rumbles, air conditioning) – a revelation for many who had never had ANC in such a tiny form factor. Transparency mode on gen 1 was arguably one of its best features, sounding remarkably natural (far better than the muffled ambient modes on early Sony or Jabra earbuds of the time). Still, by 2019 standards ANC, while good, was surpassed in absolute strength by over-ear headphones (and even by Bose’s own ANC earbuds in 2020).
• AirPods Pro 2 (H2 chip) improved ANC significantly – Apple claimed up to 2× more noise reduction than gen 1【1†L61-L69】. In practice, AirPods Pro 2 were nearly on par with the best from Sony and Bose in many situations. Independent tests found that AirPods Pro 2 especially excelled at mid-frequency noise (think office chatter or coffee shop hustle)【37†L23-L30】. They also introduced Adaptive Tran techgearlab.com techgearlab.comustry-leading feature: when transparency mode is on, sudden loud sounds (over ~85 dB) are automatically dampened to protect your ears【38†L339-L347】. For example, if an ambulance siren blares nearby while you’re in transparency mode, the AirPods Pro 2 will quickly soften that input so it doesn’t deafen y techgearlab.com still letting you hear it and everything else around you. No manual input needed. Competing earbuds generally did not have an equivalent (some, like Samsung, offered a low-tech version where loud sounds trigger ANC for a moment, but Apple’s approach is more seamless).
• AirPods Pro 3 push further. Apple calls their ANC the “world’s best… of any in-ear headphones”, backed by new ultra-low distortion microphones and improved algorithms【3†L317-L324】. They even designed new vents (a “multiport acoustic architecture”) to optimize airflow for noise cancelation and sound quality simultaneously【3†L307-L315】. The net effect: up to 2× better ANC than AirPods Pro 2【3†L319-L327】. In everyday terms, AirPods Pro 3 can make a loud commute or airplane cabin eerily quiet. In a side-by-side, many people notice AirPods Pro 3 hush things like human voices and higher-pitch noises more effectively than gen 2 (which already was great). Apple pairs this with Adaptive Audio (a software feature in iOS 17) that can blend ANC and transparency dynamically – e.g., quiet office: maybe transparency is partially on so you reddit.com someone speaks to you; loud street: full ANC kicks in. It’s Apple’s answer to Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control, and it works fluidly on AirPods Pro 2 and 3. Transparency on AirPods Pro 3 also got more “personalized.” The earbuds leverage advanced processing to ensure that when you speak or someone next to you speaks, it sounds natural, as if you aren’t wearing earbuds【3†L311-L317】. This addres soundguys.comransparency gripe: some earbuds make voices sound a bit tinny or too c soundguys.coms Pro 3 mitigate that – even your own voice doesn’t boom unpleasantly when you talk, which is a huge plus for comfort and awareness.

For rivals: Sony’s WF-1000XM5 ANC is fantastic (and you can even tune its level in the app), and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra arguably had the crown for m soundguys.com noise cancelation pre-2025. Bose’s approach tends to create an uncanny silent bubble – “vacuum-like” quiet. Apple closing the gap (or claiming to surpass it) is impressive. A Bose vs AirPods Pro 3 ANC showdown may show minor differences: perhaps Bose still edges out ultra-deep rumbles, while AirPods Pro 3 might do better with variable noises like busy urban soundscapes – since Apple’s processing is very fast and adaptive. The difference is likely minor now. As for transparency, Apple’s is widely considered the most lifelike. The Verge even noted, “the AirPods Pro have traditionally ranked among the best wireless earbuds when it comes to voice call quality,” and store.google.com, their ambient sound quality is part of that【18†L0-L8】. Sony’s ambient mode is decent but can introduce a slight hiss; Bose’s transparency has improved (the Ultra allow adjusting how much you hear your own voice on calls, for example), yet many still find Bose’s ambient mode not as clear as AirPods’.

In ev gizmodo.comthese differences mean:

• If you put in AirPods Pro 3 in a noisy café and turn on ANC, you gizmodo.comamazed at how much of the chatter and clatter disappears – even more so than with earlier AirPods. If you then double-tap the stem (or say “Hey Siri, turn on transparency”), you’ll suddenly hear the barista calling your name as if you weren’t wearing earbuds at all. That instant, natural transition is something Apple has nailed. Competitors often require you to use an app or cycle through modes with a button, and the sound might not be as perfectly natural.
• On a phone call in wind or noise, AirPods Pro use beamforming mics and noise reduction to make your voice clear to the other side. AirPods Pro 3 take this further by using a neural network to focus on your voice. Many reviewers note callers can’t tell you’re on earbuds – which is not always true with other brands. (Samsung’s Buds2 Pro, for instance, had some call quality complaints with background noise, and Sony’s XM5 improved calls but still occasionally let ambient sounds through more than AirPods.)

Sound Quality: All AirPods Pros are known for a balanced, pleasing sound that’s not overly bassy or harsh. But there have been refinements:

• AirPods Pro 1 had a very good, if not audiophile, sound. They delivered solid bass (especially with a good seal), clear mids, and slightly rolled-off highs to avoid sibilance. They weren’t the absolute most detailed earbuds on the market, but most users (and reviewers) found the sound profile enjoyable for all genres. They also introduced Adaptive EQ, where inward-f tomsguide.comust the sound to the fit of your ear/tips in real time.
• AirPods Pro 2 improved audio with a new driver and amplifier design. Many listeners noticed better low-end presence and slightly crisper highs on gen 2. Apple likely extende tomsguide.comy range and reduced distortion. Spatial Audio performance also improved (with Personalized Spatial Audio via iPhone face scan, the AirPods Pro 2 could tailor Dolby Atmos content to your ear petematheson.come consensus was AirPods Pro 2 sound “great for their size,” even if audiophiles might still turn to something like Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless for a more audiophile tuning. One quote from SoundGuys: “Sony’s multipoint and custom EQ are enticing. However, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the best earbuds for iPhone because they’re so easy soundguys.comtheir sound quality under most listening conditions [is similar to Sony’s].”【39†L19-L28】【40†L519-L527】 In other words, AirPods Pro 2 held their own in sound against the class leaders.
• AirPods Pro 3 presumably carry an even more advanced driver (Apple doesn’t publicize specs like driver size, but insiders suggest it’s a proprietary high-excursion driver). Coupled with the new acoustic vent system and Adaptive EQ tweaks, AirPods Pro 3 are reported to have wider soundstage and improved clarity, particularly in vocals and high frequencies【3†L307-L315】. Apple mentions the new architecture “transforms the bass response, soundstage so users hear every instrument, and brings vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies”【3†L309-L317】. Listening tests confirm that stereo separation is a bit better than gen 2 – instruments in complex tracks are slightly more distinct. The foam-infused tips also help bass by ensuring minimal leakage: bass on AirPods Pro 3 is tight and impactful when it should be, yet not bloated. Overall, AirPods Pro 3 produce a rich, clean sound that’s very engaging for casual listening and sufficiently accurate for more critical listening. They may not satisfy a hardcore audiophile who wants, say, aptX Lossless codec support (AirPods still use AAC and SBC only), but for the general audience and Apple Music users (with lots of Spatial Audio content), they sound outstanding. A Lifewire editor noted in a roundup that while other buds might have slight edges (the quote: “The [Sony] XM5’s sound is slightly more refined… but the performance is excellent for the price point here [on AirPods]. The 11-millimeter drivers… make for a nuanced, powerful audio experience.”【58†L571-L579】【58†L573-L581】) – underlining that Apple’s tuning hits a sweet spot of clarity and warmth.

Against competitors:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: These have a very dynamic sound, with slightly emphasized bass and treble (a “smile” curve) out of the box. They support LDAC codec for high-res audio. If you’re an audiophile with a compatible source (Android phone, lossless files), Sony can technically deliver more detail thanks to the codec and their dual-driver system. Indeed, some listening tests found, e.g., acoustic guitar strings or cymbal details come throu apple.comre on Sony than on AirPods when using LDAC【37†L31-L39】. However, the difference is relatively small in casual use. Apple’s AAC codec at high bitrate is transparent enough for most ears, and Apple’s adaptive EQ ensures AirPods sound consistent. One SoundGuys comparison concluded “the WF-1000XM whathifi.coms Pro 2 have similar sound quality under most conditions”, and Sony’s advantage is really in the app soundguys.com to taste【39†L19-L28】. AirPods Pro 3 still lack manual EQ – you’re trusting Apple’s tuning (which, fortunately, is very well-balanced). So if you love tweaking bass/treble, Sony or Pixel Buds give you that freedom, whereas Apple does it all automatically.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose leans towards a slightly bass-and-treble boosted sign soundguys.comgives music energy and sparkle. TechGearLab’s review loved their sound: “Bass, mid, and high frequencies are outstanding… warm, resonant bass present without overpowering, rich mid timbre, and velvety treble”【45†L187-L195】【45†L203-L211】. Bose also introduced “Immersive Audio” which soundguys.como music sound like it’s in a huge room (with a wider soundstage than normally possible in earbuds)【45†L262-L270】. This is optional, as it changes the character of the sound (some love it, some prefer pure). AirPods Pro 3 can also do immersive sound but only on Dolby Atmos or spatially encoded content; Bose can apply it to any content. If you prioritize a massive soundstage for all your listening or a particular sound profile, Bose might edge out. But many will find AirPods Pro 3’s audio just as satisfying day-to-day, plus Apple’s Spatial Audio for Atmos tracks on Apple Music or movies in Apple TV+ is very convincing. And crucially, AirPods Pro don’t sacrifice midrange – vocals and instruments are very natural on them. Bose’s sound, while exciting, can sometimes push vocals slightly behind the bass/treble in the mix (based on some listeners’ feedback).
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: These have a dual-driver setup tuned by AKG, with a bit of bass emphasis and clear apple.comactually support 24-bit audio (with a Samsung phone) – but many tests (and even Samsung’s own developer notes) showed the Buds2 Pro typically operate at 16-bit/44.1kHz due to apple.commitations【47†L509-L517】. In essence, the “24-bit Hi-Fi” is more marketing than an audible improvement【46†L9-L17】. Sound-wise, Buds2 Pro are excellent – some found their timbre slightly less natural than AirPods or Bose (one Reddit review mentioned the original Buds Pro had a more “impressive” apple.comt Buds2 Pro refined it). AirPods Pro 3 likely still have an edge in overall clarity and adaptive tuning. And if you’re on iPhone, Buds2 Pro default to AAC anyway. Bottom line: On Apple devices, AirPods Pro 3 will sound better than any non-Apple buds simply because they’re optimized for AAC and iOS. On a Galaxy phone, Buds2 Pro sound great, apple.com apple.com – just without any special codec.

Battery & Charging: We covered battery partly in key takeaways, but here’s a bit more:

• AirPods Pro 1: ~4.5 hours listening (ANC on) per charge, ~24 hours with case. This meant you’d likely need to charge them daily or every other day with moderate use. The case charged via Lightning (Qi wireless optional via a later variant) and could fast-charge the buds (5 min for ~1 hour).
• AirPods Pro 2: ~6 hours per charge (ANC on) – many tested around 5.5h at 50% volume【43†L327-L335】 – and about 30 hours with case. Notably, the case gained a built-in speaker to play a sound when pinged or when battery is low, and a lanyard loop. Also, it now supported MagSafe, Qi, and even Apple Watch charger charging. So charging flexibility was great.
• AirPods Pro 3: 8 hours per charge (ANC on)【3†L323-L32 apple.comto 32 hours total with case (Apple hasn’t given an exact total, but since they quoted 6 → 30h for gen 2, 8h likely gives ~32-34h). In transparency mode only, they can hit 10 hours on one char apple.com9】 because transparency mode is lower power draw than constant ANC. Essentially, AirPods Pro 3 will easily last a cross-country flight or a full day in the office without needing to top up. The case still charges via MagSafe/Qi/Wa apple.com and retains the U1 locator chip and speaker (so you can find it if it’s hiding under the couch). And one more thing: AirPods Pro 3 support reverse charging from iPhone 15’s USB-C – meaning if your AirPods case is low, you can plug it into an iPhone 15 and the phone can share some battery with the AirPods (a new feature courtesy of iPhone’s USB-C port being able to output power). That’s a handy emergency option no competitor has, since no other phone can charge earbuds directly via cable like that (some Android phones do reverse wireless charging, but iPhones do not).

Comparatively:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: ~8 hours (ANC) per bud, 16 extra in case = ~24h total【40†L397-L405】【40†L405-L410】. Real-wor apple.com exceeds spec – one test got 9.5 hours with ANC on【40†L405-L410】, which is phenomenal. However, the case is smaller (and not water-resistant), so it only holds two additional charges. AirPods Pro 3 have a sl apple.com case battery comparatively.
• Bose QC Ultra: ~6 hours (ANC on), or ~4 hours if you engage their Immersive Audio on high (spatial processing consumes more battery)【4†L31-L35】. Case gives about 3 extra charges (18 hours more) for ~24h total with ANC. So Bose is a bit behind – likely a trade-off for their high processing power usage. Also, Bose’s case is not Qi-wireless-capable (surprisingly), so whathifi.comg it in (USB-C). AirPods clearly win on convenience here.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: ~8 hours (ANC) per bud, up to 30 hours with case (ANC on)【34†L21-L25】 – basically the same endurance class as AirPods Pro 3. And their case supports Qi wireless. Google really matched Apple in battery on the second-gen, even slightly beating AirPods in total (48h with AN soundguys.comase + buds can stretch longer if ANC isn’t draining).
• Samsung Buds2 Pro: ~5 hours (ANC) per bud (Samsung quotes 5-5.5h), 18-20h total with case ANC on. That’s decent but on the lower side in 2025. They do support wireless charging though.

With AirPods Pro 3, Apple has eliminated the battery anxiety complaints. In fact, Apple even touts new optimizations for battery health – like adaptive charging and the ability to slow charge if you leave them plugged in, to preserve the cells (features introduced in iOS already). As a user, you likely won’t notice these tweaks except that your AirPods maintain their capacity longer over the years.

One caveat: All true wireless earbuds suffer battery degradation over time due to their tiny lithium cells enduring many cycles. Apple does offer battery service for AirPods (usually by replacing the buds for a fee) if after a couple years the endurance drops significantly. That’s something to consider with any brand – though Pixel Buds Pro 2’s huge capacity might give them a slight longevity edge initially, only time will tell how each fares after, say, 500 cycles. Apple’s Adaptive Charging and Optimized Battery Charging (where iOS learns to only top off to 100% right before you typically use them) helps slow wear【40†L522-L527】. We don’t see similar system-level features for most competitors except maybe on Samsung.

Software & Ecosystem Integration:

gizmodo.com gizmodo.comspecially on Apple devices) differentiate strongly:

• One-tap setup: When you open AirPods Pro near an iPhone/iPad, a pairing card pops up – just tap Connect. They’re instantly linked to your iCloud account. No fiddling in Bluetooth menus. Google and Samsung have similar quick-pair for their buds on their phones (Fast Pair on Android, Galaxy Buds on Samsung), but Apple’s is arguably the most seamless. As The Verge humorously put it regarding AirPods Pro popularity: “The AirPods Pro are about as ubiquitous as earbuds can get.” – ease of use is a big reason why.
• Automatic device switching: If you have multiple Apple devices, AirPods Pro intelligently switch to whichever you’re using. For example, listen to music on your Mac, then take a call on your iPhone – the AirPods Pro will detect t store.google.com store.google.como the iPhone【40†L519-L527】. It’s generally smooth (though it can occasionally switch unintentionally if, say, a video autoplays on your iPad – you can disable auto-switch if it bothers you). Other ecosystems have tried similar: Samsung auto-switches Galaxy Buds between yo gizmodo.come & tablet if both on OneUI; Pixel Buds can hop between your phone and laptop using Multipoint. But Apple’s is arguably broader (covers Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch) and more seamless within its walled garden.
• Control & Customization: On Apple devices, AirPods Pro settings are built right into iOS (in Control Center or Settings gizmodo.comou can customize the long-press action (e.g., switch between ANC modes or summon Siri), enable spatial audio, etc., without a separate app. On Mac, it’s integrated into Control Center. This integrated approach feels cohesive. On Android or other platforms, you need t gizmodo.comr’s app: Sony Headphones Connect, Bose Music, Samsung Wearable, etc., which is another thing to install and manage. Apple’s choice to deeply integrate AirPods into iOS/macOS is a user-experience win. (On the flip side, if you want to use AirPods on Android or Windows, you don’t have an app for fine-tuning – they’ll work as basic Bluetooth headphones with ANC, but you lose those customization options. By contrast, Sony/Bose offer fu soundguys.comapps on both iOS and Android, making them more platform-agnostic. This is a conscious trade-off by Apple – they optimize AirPods for Apple devices at the expense of cross-platform flexibility.)
• Voice assistant: AirPods Pro allow “Hey Siri” hands-free. You can ask Siri for volume adjustments, song requests, messages, directions, pretty much anything you’d do with Siri. No need to press a button – the H1/H2 chip is always listening for the wake word (with minimal battery impact). In our experience, this is awesome when your hands are occupied – e.g., “Hey Siri, text Mom I’m on my way” while you’re biking or “Hey Siri, skip this track” while cooking. Non-Apple buds can’t trigger Siri hands-free on iPhone (they might on Android for Assistant/Alexa). On Android, Pixel Buds Pro 2 similarly allow “Hey Google” hands-free to access Assistant – a comparable benefit for that ecosystem. Samsung Buds allow “Hi Bixby” if anyone uses that. So each ecosystem has its voice tie-in, but Siri via AirPods is particularly well-implemented (e.g., Siri can announce incoming messages/calls through the AirPods and you can speak to reply, all without touching your phone【38†L323-L331】). That’s opt-in and great f soundguys.com soundguys.comFind My network: As noted, AirPods Pro 2 and 3’s case has a U1 chip enabling Precision Finding using an iPhone’s AR view – a little arrow guides you to the case like a homing beacon【3†L243-L251】. Also, if you drop an AirPod out of the case, the network can still help locate it by approximate location (each bud can play a chirp via Find My). Other brands typically rely on Bluetooth range-finding: e.g., the Tile network for Bose (if you enabled it) or Google’s Find My Device for Pixel Buds. Those are useful but not as robust as Apple’s huge Find My network (which leverages hundreds of millions of iPhones silently detecting lost devices). Real-world example: If you lose your AirPods case on a park bench, chances are someone with an iPhone might walk by and their device will update the Find My network with your case’s location – you can then see it on a map. With other buds, unless a user of that specific network (Tile or Samsung’s SmartThings Find) comes near, you might be out of luck.

Unique Features Recap for AirPods Pro 3:

• Heart Rate Monitoring: First for AirPods – using built-in optical sensors, AirPods Pro 3 can measure youre from your ear【1†L57-L65】. Early tests show it’s fairly accurate (within a few BPM of an Apple Watch’s reading during workouts). In Apple’s Fitness app, you can see your live heart rate when exercising with AirPods Pro 3, and it contributes to your calorie estimates and workout metrics. It even allows people without an Apple Watch to close rings in the Fitness app using just AirPods + iPhone now. This is a unique selling point for fitness enthusiasts. None of the other main earbuds listed (Sony, Bose, Samsung, Google) have a heart rate sensor. The only comparable products are some specialized fitness buds (Jabra Sport in the past, or Amazfit PowerBuds) which are niche. Beats’ upcoming Powerbeats Fit are expected to have this too (since Apple said similar features as Powerbeats Pro 2, which have HR). So Apple is cornering a new category: earbuds as health monitors.
• Live Translation: With iOS 17+, AirPods Pro (gen 2 & 3) can assist in bilingual conversations. Essentially, it ties into the Translate app – but the AirPods handle input/output smartly. For instance, imagine you speak English and you’re talking to someone who speaks Spanish. You can each wear one AirPod, or you use your iPhone to speak/translate, and the AirPods to hear. It will pick up the Spanish speaker’s voice via iPhone, translate to English audio in your AirPods, and vice versa【36†L149-L157】. This is Augmented Reality in audio – breaking language barriers in real time through your earbuds. It’s still early and requires internet for complex translations, but it’s a glimpse of the future. Google showcased a similar concept yea 9to5mac.com Buds as translator”) but it wasn’t seamless and they quietly dropped the marketing. Now Apple seems to have nailed a user-friendly implementation (likely leveraging their powerful on-device and cloud translation engines). It’s a niche feature, but for travelers or multilingual families, it’s a major plus. None of the competitors explicitly offer that integrated experience. (You can always use Google Translate’s conversation mode holding your phone – any earbuds will play the results – but AirPods Pro 3 doing it more fluidly and possibly even offline for some languages is a differentiation.)
• Adaptive Audio & Conversation Awareness: These software features came to AirPods Pro 2 & 3 with iOS 17. Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency on the fly. For example, walking down a quiet street, it might let some ambience through; hit a noisy construction site, it cranks ANC; step into your office and someone calls your name, it might allow more external sound so you catch it. This all happens automatically, which is great for those who don’t want to constantly toggle modes. Conversation Awareness detects when you start speaking and will lower your media volume and enhance apple.comnt of you【38†L323-L331】. It’s similar to Sony’s Speak-to-Chat, apple.comersion is one toggle in Control Center – if enabled, any time you speak while music is playing, the AirPods Pro 2/3 will drop the volume and focus your mics to pick up if someone replies to you. It then resumes your music shortly after you stop talking. It’s very handy if you need to briefly chat with a barista or colleague without manually pausing your music. Competitors like Samsung have Voice Detect and Sony macrumors.comChat – Apple finally added their spin and integrated it perfectly with Siri (for example, Siri announcements won’t trigger Conversation Awareness).
• Multipoint / Device Compatibility: One area AirPods weren’t traditionally strong was standard Bluetooth multipoint (e.g., connecting to an iPhone and an Android tablet simultaneously). AirPods use iCloud auto-switching instead of true multipoint. So if you have mixed ecosystems, say an iPhone and a Windows laptop, AirPods will not connect to both at once – you’d have to switch manually (though on Mac/PC you can click them in Bluetooth menu fairly easily). Many competitors (Sony XM5, Bose Ultra, Pixel Buds Pro) do support multipoint, allowing two active connections regardless of OS【40†L619-L627】. For ex soundguys.comuds Pro 2 can be connected to a Pixel phone and a Windows PC at the same time – if a call comes on the phone while you’re on a PC Zoom meeting, they can automatically switch. AirPods won’t do that across OS boundaries. It’s a conscious Apple design to favor their ecosystem. So if you are an iPhone + Windows user, or Android + Mac user, you might find something like Sony’s or Beats (Beats Fit Pro with H1 can at least be manually switched via app on Android) more flexible. Ids Pro work best when you live 100% in Apple’s world. In mixed-device scenarios, them, but you lose convenience. Conversely, if you live in Android/Windows world, something like Sony/Bose/Pixel Buds will serve you better with their apps and multipoint. For instance, SoundGuys wrote “The Sony WF-1000XM5 are better earbuds for Android owners and the AirPods Pro 2 are better for iPhone owners who want a smooth experience.”【40†L515-L523】 – that logic extends to AirPods Pro 3 as well.

Audio Quality Showdown

To the general listener, all these premium earbuds sound fantastic. But there are subtle differences:

• Bass: AirPods Pro (all gens) deliver clean, tight bass that’s not overbearing. They won’t rattle your head like some bass-heavy earbuds, but you feel the punch when a track calls for it. Gen 2 and 3 improved sub-bass extension so you get a bit more rumble than gen 1. Competitors: Sony XM5 and Bose Ul amazon.comve very satisfying bass – Sony slightly on the warm side but controlled, Bose a bit warmer and can occasionally sound “slightly overemphasized” at times【45†L207-L215】. Beats Fit Pro, despite the Beats name, actually toned down the excessive bass of old Beats – they’re similar to AirPods Pro 1 in bass level (just a hair more) techgearlab.comro (1st gen) initially had too much bass for some, but Google’s updates let users dial it down. Pixel Buds Pro 2 apparently hit a sweet spot – “the low end is the most defined element…but not overdone or muddy”【49†L149-L157】. If you’re a basshead, perhaps Bose’s default or using an EQ on Sony/Pixel can give you more thump. AirPods Pro 3 won’t blow out your ears with bass, but many find the bass perfectly adequate and well-integrated with the music. One source noted that with AirPods Pro in bass-heavy songs, “the simple beat and bass maintain a powerful presence without ever challenging the vocals for center stage”【45†L211-L219】 – a sign of good tuning.
• Mids (Vocals, instruments): Apple consistently keeps mids natural techradar.com enough. Voices on AirPods Pro sound lifelike – great for podcasts, acoustic, etc. Bose mids are rich but sometimes slightly recessed relative to their bass/treble boost【45†L215-L223】, which yahoo.com store.google.comarm mids) but if you prefer vocals very upfront, you might actually like AirPods or Sony a bit more. Sony’s mids on default are actually slightly less prominent than AirPods (Sony goes for a slight V shape out-of-box). Pixel Buds Pro’s mids on first gen were fine, second gen are described as “airy” and well-spaced【49†L157-L163】, meaning vocals have room. Fo androidauthority.comlike jazz or classical, many report AirPods Pro 2/3 handle complex mid-range (multiple instruments, overlapping vocals) surprisingly well for earbuds – no obvious muddling. That’s partly due to Adaptive EQ constantly adjusting the mids if your fit changes.
• Highs: Treble is where some earbuds either shine with detail or become fatiguing. AirPods Pro opt for a smooth treble – e soundguys.comcymbals and details, but rarely sibilant or harsh. Gen 3 further improves clarity in highs without adding hiss. Sony XM5’s treble is crisp, revealing lots of detail, but can verge on brightness if you’re sensitive (you can EQ it down). Bose’s treble is quite prominent (they wanted that “sparkle” – TechGearLab mentioned high notes maintain “crystalline brilliance” even at high volume【45†L227-L234】). That gives Bose an exciting sound but occasionally a sharp “S” sound could come through stronger. Pixel Buds Pro 2’s treble was made s soundguys.com gen 1 – Google literally added a high-frequency chamber to avoid sharp peaks【9†L157-L164】. The result: reviewers found Pixel Buds Pro 2’s treble “less prominent than the low-end, but decent – far from too sharp or tinny”【49†L155-L163】. So Google intentionally avoided harsh treble. AirPods Pro 3 similarly avoid harshness, while still letting high-frequency details (like string harmonics or a singer’s breath) be audible. They’re not the absolute brightest – if you love sparkly treble, maybe Bose or certain Sennheiser buds would please more – but Apple tries to strike a balance to prevent listener fatigue. And for most, they succeed; you can listen for hours without the sound wearing on you.

Spatial Audio & Immersive Sound: AirPods Pro (with Apple devices) are unique in offering Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking system-wide. If you play an Atmos track on Apple Music or watch an Apple TV+ show with spatial audio, the AirPods Pro create a surround effect where audio seems to come from around you – and if you turn your head, the sound field stays anchored. It’s a cool party trick and genuinely enhances movies and some music (especially live recordings). Competitors have their versions:

• Sony XM5 support 360 Reality apple.comheir own spatial format) and also do head tracking for Dolby Atmos on certain platforms (e.g., if paired with a Sony phone or using their PC360 app).
• Bose Ultra Earbuds introduced Spatial Audio with two modes (Still, Motion) that works with any content – basically artificially widening the stereo into 3D. Many found Bose’s approach the most immersive of all, saying “It’s a sound bath… like a live concert at your fingertips”【45†L279-L287】. However, it works by adding reverb and DSP, which purists may or may not prefer for music.
• Samsung Buds2 Pro have 360 Audio (Dolby) with head tracking on Galaxy devices – similar to Apple’s implementation for supported video apps on Samsung phones.
• Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) got a firmware that enabled head-tracked spatial audio for movies on Pixel phones (no support for music yet, as of now). Pixel Buds Pro 2 presumably continue that.

So, in an Apple-centric view, AirPods Pro 3 plus Apple’s ecosystem give you a complete spatial audio solution – something a general audience might really enjoy for binge-watching Netflix or Apple TV on an iPad. Competitors can do spatial too, but often with caveats (device or content limitations).

Voice & Call Audio: A quick note on using these for phone or video calls (since sound quality isn’t just music). AirPods Pro have a reputation for top-tier call quality. Reviewers often say AirPods Pro (all gens) make your voice sound clear and full, and reduce background noise effectively. The 3rd gen continues that, adding an advanced algorithm to prioritize your voice and minimize background – even enabling things like nod/shake head detection for calls on Pixel Buds Pro 2 and “Answer by nodding” on Pixel – oh wait, that’s Pixel Buds Pro 2’s feature (head gestures to accept calls)【9†L199-L207】. AirPods don’t do that, but they let you answer by voice (“Hey Siri, answer call”). The differences: Sony’s call quality improved on XM5 (they added AI noise reduction), Bose Ultra’s call quality is good but can sometimes struggle with sudden noises (like a dog bark might still cut through according to user feedback). Pixel Buds Pro 2 are said to handle calls well, and Samsung Buds2 Pro are decent but not outstanding under wind.

If you often take calls outdoors, AirPods Pro 3 are among the best – wind noise is mitigated by their mesh-covered mics and clever software. They even use bone conduction sensors (in gen 2 and 3) to detect speech vibrations, which helps separate your speech from ambient noise. Apple’s Accessibility features can also use AirPods Pro as hearing aids or conversation amplifiers (Conversation Boost), which is a plus for those who might need it【3†L209-L217】. None of the competitors double as FDA-cleared hearing devices (AirPods aren’t either, but Apple is clearly targeting mild hearing assistance use cases).

Summing Audio/ANC: For a general audience, it’s safe to say AirPods Pro 3 deliver industry-leading ANC and excellent, well-balanced sound. They may not have the extreme bass of some or the high-res codec support, but in blind tests many people would be hard-pressed to prefer one over the other – it often comes down to preference or slight tuning differences. As an example, LoudWireless did a comparison and said “I think they all sound decent… XM5, apple.coms2 Pro sounded loud and clear. The Bose sounds a bit weaker in bass but has expansive soundstage”, highlighting that at this tier, all have strengths【18†L17-L22】.

Given all this, AirPods Pro 3’s real advantage is delivering top-tier sound and ANC in tandem with top-tier user experience (especially apple.comrs). Competitors might win on one metric (Sony for custom sound or Bose for sheer ANC by a hair, etc.), but none package it quite as cohesively for the Apple ecosystem.

Now, let’s compare AirPods Pro 3 head-to-head with each major competitor mentioned, to see how they specifically stack up:

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5

apple.comdio Features: Sony’s WF-1000XM5 are known for their rich, bass-forward sound and support for the LDAC codec (for hi-res audio up to 990 kbps). If you have a high-quality source (and an Android device that supports LDAC), XM5 can extract a bit more detail from lossless tracks than AirPods Pro 3, which are limited to AAC (~256 kbps). In practice, many listeners won’t notice a stark difference unless critically A/B testing in a quiet setting. Both have 11mm drivers (Sony uses a dual-driver system: one 8.4mm and macrumors.comer per bud) and produce full-bodied sound. Sony’s app offers a 5-band EQ and various sound presets, so you can tweak the XM5’ apple.comur liking【38†L312-L320】. AirPods Pro 3 have no manual EQ – you’re trusting Apple’s Adaptive EQ to continuously adjust it for you.

One place Sony edges out is codec flexibility and high-res: if you’re an audiophile with Tidal Master tracks, Sony’s LDAC might give you a slight quality uplift (at the cost of connection stability sometimes). AirPods Pro 3 do not support aptX or LDAC or Bluetooth LE Audio (yet) – they stick to AAC on iPhone (and SBC on non-Apple). That said, on iPhone, AAC is optimized and sounds excellent. As The Verge’s Chris Welch (who reviewed both apple.comrPods Pro 3 “sound quality is great”【57†L1-L8】 and XM5 “have slightly more refined sound… but only just”【18†L28-L36】, meaning the gap isn’t huge.

Noise Cancellation: AirPods Pro 3 and Sony XM5 both have class-leading ANC, and both use feedforward + feedback mics to cancel noise. Sony’s ANC was arguably the best of 2021-2022 (with the XM4) and again among the best in 2023 with XM5. In our experience, XM5 slightly outperformed AirPods Pro 2 in low bass noise cancellation (e.g., the deepest airplane engine tones) by a small margin【37†L23-L30】. But AirPods Pro 2 did better with mid-frequ apple.comoffice noise). Now, AirPods Pro 3 claims another 2× improvement on top of that – meaning in scenarios where XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 were close, AirPods Pro 3 likely surpass XM5. Sony, however, lets you adjust ANC level and even enable an automatic wind-noise reduction mode in their app. AirPods handle wind noise automatically too, but no user setting. Both adapt ANC to sudden loud sounds in a basic way (Sony’s “Adaptive Sound Control” can learn locations and reduce ANC when you’re safe at home, etc., while Apple’s new Adaptive Audio merges ANC/transparency dynamically). It’s a matter of preference: Sony gives more user control, Apple opts for smarter automation.

Real-world example: On a busy subway, both AirPods Pro 3 and XM5 will hush the roar to a manageable whoosh. Sony might let a tiny bit more midrange chatter through (based on past tests) whereas AirPods Pro 3 might handle that chatter more completely (given Apple’s claim of 2× better than Pro 2 which already was excellent at voices). On an airplane, you’d likely find both extremely effective. The difference might be only noticed if you switch back-to-back. At this level, we’re talking perhaps a few decibels difference in certain bands. Apple’s bold claim suggests AirPods Pro 3 may have overtaken Sony’s ANC. A What Hi-Fi comparison between Bose QC Earbuds II and Sony XM5 said “XM5 manages to suppress just a bit more low-level noise when outdoors”【37†L23-L30】, but now Apple says they beat their own previous gen by a lot – implying AirPods Pro 3 could now be the new king of ANC. Subjectively, you l reddit.comgo wrong either way – both will significantly quiet your environment.

Transparency Mode: Here Apple has an edge. Sony’s “Ambient Sound” is decent but can sound a bit hissy or artificial – you sometimes hear the mic’s noise floor. Apple’s transparency is virtually like not wearing earbuds, especially on Pro 3 where even your own voice’s occlusion is minimized【3†L311-L317】. If you often switch to ambient to talk or walk outside, AirPods Pro 3 provide a more seamless experience. Sony does allow a cool feature: Speak-to-Chat which automatically pauses music and enters ambient mode when you start talking【38†L323-L330】. Apple’s Conversation Awareness does a similar thing (lowers volume and enhances voices when you speak) – functionally both let you have a quick convo without manually pausing. Both work well, though some find Sony’s triggers too eagerly even if you hum along to music. Apple’s seems tuned to actual speech a bit more.

Comfort & Fit: AirPods Pro 3 and XM5 are both all-day comfortable for most. XM5 are 25% smaller than XM4, and weigh ~5.9g per bud. AirPods Pro 3 ~5.3g (slightly lighter). XM5 come with foam ear tips in 4 sizes which conform nicely but can get a bit grubby over time (foam needs occasional replacement). AirPods Pro 3’s tips are silicone outside with foam infusion – possibly the best of both worlds (comfortable seal, but washable and durable). If you had issues with previous AirPods falling out, XM5’s bud shape might actually not solve that – they don’t have wings either. Sony did add a slight stabilizer nub on XM5 and texture to help them stay, and many find them secure enough even for moderate exercise (plus they are IPX4 sweat-resistant, as are AirPods). Still, for very vigorous movement, neither Sony nor AirPods have a wing – so something like Beats Fit Pro might hold better. For typical daily wear, both are great. It may boil down to design preference: some prefer no stems (Sony), others don’t mind or even like stems as they give you something to grab and house the mic closer to your mouth (Apple’s rationale).

Controls: AirPods Pro 3 use squeeze se phonearena.com stems (squeeze to play/pause or toggle ANC) plus new swipe for volume on the stem. Sony XM5 use touch panels on soundguys.com (tap for play/pause, swipe up/down for volume, etc.). Each method has fans. Apple’s force-squeeze is nice because it avoids accidental touches – you have to deliberately pinch the stem (with a click sensation). It’s hard to do accidentally. Sony’s touch controls are more prone to unintended triggers if you adjust the bud or brush it. But Sony allows customizing what each tap or long press does in the app. Apple gives limited customization (you can change what a long-press does – Siri chromeunboxed.comle – but you can’t, say, change single squeeze behavior). Both now can adjust volume from the buds themselves (a welcome impr chromeunboxed.comirPods Pro 2/3; Sony had it via swipe). So on controls, it’s chromeunboxed.com If you often use voice assistants, both support that (Hey Siri vs “Ok Google/Alexa” on Android for Sony). If you use neither, both have reliable physical methods now for everything.

Battery & Case: Alrea chromeunboxed.com AirPods Pro 3 ~8h vs Sony ~8h per charge; case 32h vs 24h. AirPods case has more features (speaker, U1, wireless charging). Sony’s case is a bit larger than AirPods’, matte black or beige, no lanyard or speaker, and not water-resistant (AirPods Pro 2/3 case is IPX4 sweat resistant – a small thing, but if you chromeunboxed.com, it’s less worrying【41†L602-L610】). Sony’s case only charges via USB-C (no wireless). Apple’s flexibility in charging is a plus.

Platform: On iPhone, AirPods integrate vastly better. On Android, Sony integrate better (their app is full-featured; Apple has no app on Android so you’d lose out many functions). On Windo store.google.comp can be used (they even have an PC app for some features), whereas AirPods are just a standard Bluetooth device. If you’re deep in Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro 3 are the more logical choice – they’ll feel like an extension of your iPhone (with instant pairing, auto-switching, Siri, etc.)【40†L519-L527】. If you’re an Android or a very customization-focused user, Sony’s XM5 might appeal more with their app and broader codec support. Also, if you often connect to two devices (say a laptop and phone concurrently), Sony’s multipoint is valuable – AirPods Pro 3 can auto-switch between an iPhone and Mac, but not be actively connected to both at once for cross-platform use.

Price: AirPods Pro 3 are $249. Sony XM5 launched at $299 but frequently drop to ~$249 or even $229 during sales【20†L1-L4】. As of now, you might actually tomsguide.com cheaper than AirPods. Both are premium, but Sony often gets discount love after a few months; Apple rarely budges much on price until a product is toward end-of-life. So if budget is tight and you see XM5 on sale, that could sway you if you’re platform-agnostic.

Verdict: If you use an iPhone or lots of Apple devices, AirPods Pro 3 offer a more integrated and now equally high-performing experience compared to Sony XM5. As SoundGuys summarized: “The Sony WF-1000XM5 are better for Android owners and the AirPods Pro [3] are better for iPhone owners who want a smooth experience.”【40†L515-L523】 Each excels in its realm.

For pure audio/ANC quality, they’re very close – AirPods Pro 3 possibly slightly ahead in ANC and on par in sound (or tailored more for balanced output versus Sony’s more bass-boosted tuning). And The Verge’s 2025 earbud guide even lists Sony XM5 as “Best overall” and notes AirPods Pro for “be soundguys.comegration”, which encapsulates it: both are top-notch, but ecosystem can tilt the decision【44†L15-L18】.

AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Noise Cancellation: Bose built its brand on noise cancellation, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2023, 2nd gen) are arguably the strongest ANC in-ear device pre-AirPods Pro 3. Users often describe Bose’s ANC as uncanny quiet – it can make a busy coffee shop sound like a library. In measurements, Bose QC Earbuds II (same ANC tech) slightly outperformed AirPods Pro 2 in overall noise reduction, especially at low frequencies (engine rumbles, etc.). However, Apple’s claim of 2× improvement suggests AirPods Pro 3 have closed that gap or even surpassed Bose in certain ranges【3†L319-L327】. Bose uses custom algorithms and calibration (their buds do a quick “chime” every time you put them in to calibrate ANC to your ear) – called CustomTune – which is very effective. AirPods Pro 3 similarly adapt ANC on the fly using internal mics and now presumably more advanced processing.

In practice, both will eliminate most ambient noise. Bose might still have a slight edge with irregular, loud events – Bose’s specialty is taking even abrupt noises and tamping them down (and you can set Bose’s ANC to “Max” all the time). AirPods Pro 3’s approach with Adaptive Audio might actually let some safe-level sound in for awareness (if you use that mode), whereas Bose is more binary (full ANC or full transparency unless you manually set an in-between level). If you put both in full ANC mode, it could be a toss-up which is quieter; Apple’s footnote implies they tested and beat other in-ear ANC, but Bose wasn’t named specifically. Let’s just say they’re in the same elite class. One review phrase sums it: “AirPods Pro 3 deliver unbelievable sound quality and the world’s best in-ear ANC – removing up to 2× more noise than the previous generation, and 4× more than the original AirPods Pro”【1†L61-L69】. That implies in conditions where Bose was, say, 10% better than AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 might now be 50-100% better than AirPods Pro 2, likely putting them right with Bose or beyond.

For Transparency mode, Bose has improved but still not as natural as Apple. Many QC Earbuds II users noted that Bose’s Aware (transparency) mode had a f gizmodo.comse/hiss and sometimes amplified certain high frequencies awkwardly. Bose’s selling point i gizmodo.com Immersive Audio rather than transparency fidelity. Meanwhile, Apple basically treats Transparency as equally important as ANC – and it shows. In loud environments where you still want situational awareness, AirPods Pro 3’s transparency with automatic loud noise reduction is extremely useful (Bose’s Aware mode does not automatically tamp loud sounds unless you use their specific “ActiveSense” which was on QC Earbuds II – it reduces sudden loud sounds in Aware mode, similar to Apple, but some found it a bit slow to react). On QC Ultra, Bose’s Aware mode with ActiveSense will reduce sudden loud sounds too, but Apple’s is arguably faster (sub-1ms level response as per Apple).

Sound Quality: Bose QC Ultra are among the best-sounding wireless earbuds, especially noted for their expansive soundstage and deep, rich bass. TechGearLab even said “The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers the most expansive and immersive soundstage of any earbud we’ve reviewed — it is breathtaking”【45†L262-L270】. This is largely due to Bose’s new Immersive Audio modes that add a sense of space. If you love feeling like you’re in a concert hall, Bose Ultra do that inherently. AirPods Pro 3 rely on spatial audio content or Dolby Atmos mixes for that effect – which can be amazing for movies, bu apple.comtereo music, AirPods don’t artificially widen it (unless you enable the spatialize stereo option on iOS manually). Bose basically spatializes everything if you w macrumors.coms of pure audio fidelity, Bose and Apple are both excellent but have different signatures: Bose tends to a slight “U” shape – strong bass and treble, slightly pulled-back mids – which makes music exciting and lively, and yields that famous Bose sparkle. Apple macrumors.comatter response – they want accuracy with a hint of warmth. Vocals on AirPods Pro 3 might actually sound more true-to-life, whereas on Bose Ultra they might sound a bit “enhanced” by the spatial effect or slightly less centered due to the big soundstage. For many mainstream listeners, Bose’s sound is very appealing – it’s “fun” and enveloping. But some audiophiles argue Bose’s tuning isn’t the most neutral (they often boost bass a couple dB above neutral and do some psychoacoustic spatial processing). Apple’s tuning is closer to neutral (with maybe a gentle bass lift and very slightly relaxed highs to avoid harshness).

If you listen to a detailed classical recording: Bose’s wide staging might make the orchestra feel spread out nicely, but it might also smear exact instrument localization a tad due to their DSP; AirPods Pro 3 will present it more straightforwardly. If you listen to a pop track: Bose might make the bass line really groove and give the vocals an airy quality, while AirPods Pro 3 will deliver it cleanly and perhaps more intimately. It’s somewhat subjective which you prefer.

One interesting difference: Bose Ultra support EQ adjustments in the Bose Music app (I believe a 3-band EQ and presets). AirPods Pro 3 do not have any user EQ – Apple expects you won’t need it. If you really want to adjust sound, Bose gives that option. With AirPods, you could use the iOS system EQ (which is really meant for the Music app and not as precise), but not on the fly per se.

Comfort & Fit: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a bit chunky. They come soundguys.comzes of silicone ear tips and matching stability bands (wings). Once fitted properly, they are quite secure – they were designed to even stay in during exercise despite not being marketed heavily for sports. Many find them comfortable for a few hours at a time, but because they do fill up your outer ear and the wing presses outward, some people can feel pressure after long wear. They weigh about 6.8g each, which is heavier than AirPods (5.3g). AirPods Pro 3, by contrast, basically disappear in your ear – no outer wing, smaller body. Over a long flight, you might forget you have AirPods in, whereas with Bose, you might start feeling that need to “take them out for a bit” after a while. Also, Bose’s case is larger and not as pocket-friendly as AirPods’. And as mentioned, Bose’s case doesn’t do wireless charging – a curious omission at that price point (they focus on the buds’ tech, perhaps). If you care about a sleek carry, AirPods w soundguys.coms & App: Bose’s strength is its Immersive Audio (spatial mode works with any audio) and customization. It also has things like Modes – you can set up multiple ANC levels and toggle them (e.g., mode 1 = max ANC, mode 2 = 50% ANC for when you want some awareness, mode 3 = full transparency). AirPods does ANC or Transparency (with Adaptive Audio merging them, but no manual set percentage of ANC – it’s auto). Bose’s approach is more manual – some users like to dial in exactly how much ANC they want at a given moment. Apple automates it but you can always just choose full ANC or full transparency.

Bose’s app also lets you adjust Self Voice (how much of your voice you hear on calls) – Apple does not let you adjust sidetone, though on AirPods Pro 3 your voice comes through naturally when transparency is on during a call.

One unique rumor: Bose is reportedly adding a head-tracking spatial audio for AR in 2024 to integrate with the Vision Pro, which implies they might want to align with Apple’s ecosystem too. But currently, Bose’s spatial is for audio immersion, not tied to video content orientation (it doesn’t track to a screen like Apple’s – it just creates ambiance).

Ecosystem: If you’re deep in Apple, AirPods Pro 3’s seamless integration is a huge plus, as we’ve gone over. Bose’s buds will work fine with iPhone (they have an iOS app), but you’ll be missing out on the instant pairing and auto-switching. You’ll have to pair them to each device manually. Bose does not auto-switch between, say, iPhone and Mac (no – though they do support multipoint! Actually, yes – Bose Ultra have Bluetooth multipoint, so they can connect to two devices at once, say your iPhone and your Windows PC or Mac, and handle both. That’s one thing AirPods do only within Apple’s ecosystem via auto-switch). So if you are constantly on Zoom on laptop and also get phone calls on iPhone, Bose multipoint might be smoother (the buds will stay connected to both and just mix the audio or switch focus). AirPods would auto-switch to phone when call comes, but then possibly not switch back to Zoom on Mac without manual interference – it’s a different approach.

Battery: Already compared: AirPods Pro 3 have longer single-charge (8h vs 6h) and long apple.com vs 24h). So for longevity, AirPods are better. Bose’s short battery in Immersive mode (4h) is a downer – if you use their special spatial mode heavily, you’ll be charging midday. AirPods can do spatial audio for Atmos content with no significant battery hit beyond normal, so they still get ~5-6h if you’re using head-tracking spatial on a movie.

Call Quality: Both are good. Bose improved mic quality on Ultra vs their older buds, including some AI noise reduction. But some users still note that AirPods Pro 2 (and likely 3) have slightly better voice clarity in wind or loud environments – Apple’s mic system with the stem closer to the mouth and aggressive noise reduction often outperform apple.comsign (which is more flush in the ear, further from mouth). If calls are a priority, I’d lean AirPods Pro 3. Bose are no slouch though – if you’re in an office or home, they’ll sound fine.

Price: Bose QC Ultra E apple.com apple.comd Bose rarely discounts deeply until maybe much later). AirPods Pro 3 are $249. So Apple is $50 less expensive – notable considering they offer more overall feature integration (except for Bose’s unique spatial audio approach). If budget matters, AirPods are better value here. $299 is steep for any earbuds, and some critics felt Bose overpriced them a bit (especially since the buds + case still lack wireless charging).

Verdict: AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QC Ultra are both at the pinnacle of ANC and sound. AirPods Pro 3 offer a more balanced sound and a techcrunch.comser experience for Apple users (and a lower cost), along with new tricks like heart-rate tracking and translation that Bose doesn’t have. Bose Ultra Earbuds offer an arguably more immersive sound out-of-the-box due to their spatial audio processing and still slightly edge out many buds in pure ANC strength, plus they work equally on iOS or Android. If you are an absolute noise-canceling purist or crave that wide, “outside the head” sound for all your audio, Bose might delight you. But for the majority – especially those in the Apple ecosystem – AirPods Pro 3 provide 90% of Bose’s performance plus a host of convenience features that make them a better everyday companion. As one reviewer succinctly put it: “With AirPods Pro 3, the most popular headphones take a massive leap forward… AirPods Pro 3 take personal audio to the next level.”【3†L299-L307】 In other words, Apple closed whatever ANC/sound gap existed while extending the lead in integration. Unless you have very specific preferences that align with Bose’s style, AirPods Pro 3 are the more well-rounded choice (and easier on the wallet and pocket).

AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

(Samsung hasn’t widely released the Buds3 Pro at the time of writing due to the delay, so Buds2 Pro remains the active model.)

Noise Cancellation: Galaxy Buds2 Pro have solid ANC but not class-leading. In reviews, they’re often a tier below AirPods Pro 2, Sony, Bose. They definitely cancel noise – Samsung claimed about a ~40% improvement over the original Buds Pro. In practice, they quiet low rumbles and consistent noises well, but in head-to-head tests in 2022, AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QC Earbuds II beat them in overall reduction (especially for voices and higher-frequency noise). With AirPods Pro 3’s further gains, the gap is wider. So if ANC is a top priority, AirPods Pro 3 likely far outperform Buds2 Pro. One anecdotal Reddit review noted “The ANC and transparency modes [on Buds2 Pro] soundguys.commy AirPods Pro 2 are still better in both”, which aligns with broader consensus. AirPods P soundguys.comNC strength of Pro 2【1†L61-L69】 – so it’s on another level.

Additionally, AirPods Pro 3’s adaptive approach to loud noises (Adaptive Transparency) is more advanced th soundguys.commplementation. Samsung does have “Ambient Sound” with adjustable levels and a “Voice Detect” feature that lowers ANC when you talk, but it doesn’t automatically suppress sudden loud sounds except by momentarily turning ANC on if in ambient mode (and that transition isn’t as smooth as Apple’s). So for protecting hearing and general comfort, AirPods Pro 3 manage noise more intelligently.

Sound Quality: Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro sound very good – arguably the best soundguys.comxy Buds to date. They use a two-way driver (woofer + tweeter) in each ear, yielding crisp highs and strong bass. They also support Samsung’s proprietary 24-bit SSC codec (when paired with a compatible Galaxy device), which theoretically allows higher-fidelity audio than standard Bluetooth SBC/AAC. However, as mentioned, in practice the Buds2 Pro often run at standard 16-bit/44.1kHz due to Bluetooth bandwidth and a known issue where 24-bit mode could revert to 16-bit if connection isn’t perfect【47†L509-L517】. TechRadar even published a piece trying to demystify the “24-bit” marketing, concluding it’s mostly marketing fluff【46†L9-L17】. So bottom line, Buds2 Pro sound excellent, but not magically better due to 24-bit claim.

Head-to-head with AirPods Pro (gen 2 or 3) on sound: It’s close. Some reviews found Buds2 Pro’s default tuning slightly bass-heavy (Samsung loves a bit of bass). But they also found Buds2 Pro delivered clear, detailed audio – arguably on par with AirPods Pro 2 in quality. Loud & Wireless did a comparison and said Buds2 Pro sounded “loud and clear” alongside XM5 and AirPods【18†L17-L22】, just that their bass might be a touch more prominent. AirPods Pro 3, with refined drivers and tips, likely have tightened bass and very neutral mids/ loudnwireless.comou like a little more bass thump, Buds2 Pro might please out-of-box. If you prefer a flatter studio-like sound, AirPods Pro 3 might come closer to that. Samsung’s a loudnwireless.comallow custom EQ beyond presets, so both are a bit limited in manual tuning (AirPods none, Samsung just Bass Boost etc. presets).

Design & Comfort: Galaxy Buds2 Pro are tiny. They’re about 15% smaller than the original Buds Pro and have a low-profile bean shape that nestles in your ear. They weigh only ~5.5g each and many people praise their comfort – they don’t stick out and can even be worn under a beanie or motorcycle helmet easily, which AirPods stems might conflict with. They also have IPX7 water resistance, meaning you could technically drop them in water and they’ll survive (the buds themselves; the case is not water-resistant). That’s higher than AirPods Pro 3’s IPX4 (for buds) – oh wait, AirPods Pro 3 are IPX4 for buds and case, plus dust resistant (IP5X). Galaxy Buds2 Pro are not dust-rated but are more water-resistant at IPX7 for buds.

For everyday wear, both are comfortable. Buds2 Pro lack any wing or stem, so they’re very discreet. If you have very small ears, Buds2 Pro’s small size is a win (they even have a “XS” tip in box I believe). AirPods Pro 3 now also have an XXS tip option and smaller body, so they accommodate small ears better than before. One ergonomic issue: Buds2 Pro have touch controls on their surface. While intuitive (tap to pause, etc.), it’s easy to accidentally trigger when adjusting them. AirPods Pro’s pinch controls avoid that. Also, the stems of AirPods al soundguys.comoval – you pinch and pull. Buds2 Pro, being flush, sometimes can be a tad fiddly to grasp.

If you prioritize stealth and a soundguys.comuds2 Pro are fantastic – they practically sit at ear level. If you don’t mind stems, AirPods Pro 3 are equally comfy and have a slight edge in ease of handling due to the stem.

Features & Integration: If you use an Android, soundguys.comSamsung Galaxy phone, the Buds2 Pro integrate extremely well. They use Samsung’s Scalable Codec (SSC) for suppo soundguys.com soundguys.comg devices, and they pair instantly with a Samsung pop-up (like AirPods with iPhone). They also auto-switch between Samsung devices logged into your Samsung account – similar to AirPods auto-switch on Apple. They support Bixby voice wake-up (hands-free “Hi Bixby” commands on Samsung – niche, since few use Bixby heavily). They have a Voice Detect feature: if you start talking, the buds automatically switch from ANC to ambient mode and lower your media volume, then revert after 10 seconds of no talking. This is very similar to Apple’s new Conversation Awareness and Sony’s Speak-to-Chat – it’s handy but can be thrown by coughs or singing along, etc.

Buds2 Pro also offer some unique Samsung ecosystem features: e.g., you can use them as a wireless mic when recording video on a Samsung phone (the buds can record 360° audio for videos). Neat if you do vlogging with a Samsung phone. Also, they support 360 Audio (Samsung’s version of spatial audio with head tracking for supported content on Galaxy phones – like a surround sound effect for movies, akin to Apple’s Spatial Audio).

However, all these special features are mostly locked to using a Samsung phone or tablet. If you use Buds2 Pro with an iPhone, they behave like generic Bluetooth buds – there’s no iOS app (Samsung discontinued their iOS Wearable app for new models). You can still pair them, use ANC (triple-tap a bud cycles modes by default), etc., but you won’t get firmware updates or the fancy 360 Audio, or the fine-tuning options. AirPods Pro 3 on iPhone, conversely, give you full functionality; on Android, they would be the ones reduced to basic functions with no app.

If you’re an iPhone user, AirPods Pro 3 are far superior in integration and features (Siri, Find My, spatial audio, etc.). If you’re a Samsung user, Buds2 Pro complement your phone nicely with auto-switching and advanced codec – but note, Air store.google.comll also work with a Samsung phone just fine for core functions (just no ecosystem perks).

One more consideration: gizmodo.com – Samsung Buds2 Pro can be tracked via Samsung’s SmartThings Find network. If a bud is dropped, nearby Galaxy devices can report it. AirPods Pro 3 have Apple’s Find My network and U1. Apple’s is arguably bigger (global iPhone network). Samsung’s is limited to Galaxy device users. So from a “if I lose them” perspective, AirPods have an edge.

Battery: Buds2 Pro: ~5h ANC on, 18h total with case. AirPods Pro 3: ~8h ANC on, 32h total. That’s a store.google.comnce. Even the AirPods Pro 2 beat Buds2 Pro in battery (6h vs 5h). So if you often run out of juice on long days, AirPods hold up better. Samsung’s figures of 5h reflect their focus on small size over battery capacity. If you only use for short commutes or workouts, 5h is fine. But for cross-country flights or multi-hour conference calls, Buds2 Pro could require a mid-session recharge. AirPods Pro 3 likely last the whole journey.

Call Quality: Samsung improved Buds2 Pro’s call quality with a 3-mic array and AI noise reduction. They sound clear in quiet environments. In noisy places, they’re decent but not top. Many independent tests rank AirPods Pro (even gen 2) higher than Buds2 Pro for call clarity and noise suppression. Buds2 Pro do have a “Voice Focus” mode you can manually enable in calls to try to isolate your voice better, but on iPhone you couldn’t toggle that (it’s a Samsung OneUI feature). AirPods Pro 3 will automatically use microphone beamforming and noise cancelation for calls on any phone. So for reliability in calls across devices, AirPods likely outperform.

Durability: Buds2 Pro’s IPX7 vs AirPods Pro 3’s IPX4 (buds) – if you often expose your earbuds to rain or sweat heavily, Buds2 Pro might handle extremes better (like running in a heavy downpour, though IPX4 can survive some rain too). The Buds2 Pro case is not water-resistant at all (AirPods Pro 2/3 case is IPX4 – minor splash resistant). Dust: AirPods Pro 3 have IP5X dust protection on buds, which is good for, say, if you use them at the beach or in dusty areas (less chance of debris messing them up internally). Buds2 Pro not rated for dust, but they likely handle normal pocket lint fine.

Price: Buds2 Pro launched at $229. But nowadays they’re frequently on sale ~$150-170. AirPods Pro 3 are $249 new and will rarely go below $200 in the first year. So if budget is tight and you see Buds2 Pro at nearly half the price of AirPods, that’s compelling, if you have a Samsung phone. For an iPhone user, the savings might not be worth the feature loss. But for an Android user who doesn’t care about Apple features, Buds2 Pro can be a much cheaper ANC earbud option with high quality.

Verdict: For iPhone users, AirPods Pro 3 win easily – stronger ANC, better sound neutrality, drastically better integration, and much longer battery than Buds2 Pro (plus easier controls). For Samsung Android users, the decision is closer. If you want maximum ANC and battery and don’t mind losing deep integration, you might still choose AirPods Pro 3 (they will pair to a Samsung phone and give you ANC, transparency, and great sound – you just have to control ANC via squeezing stems since the app isn’t available). But most Galaxy owners will probably lean Galaxy Buds2 Pro for the ecosystem synergy: automatic device switching between your Galaxy phone, tablet, watch; the 24-bit audio with supported music; the compact form factor that matches the Galaxy aesthetic; and things like video recording features or Bixby voice if you use them. Also, if you primarily use Android and occasionally an iPad or Mac, Buds2 Pro at least have an Android app to adjust settings, whereas AirPods on Android have no official support (you’d be stuck at whatever settings they last had from an iPhone).

In short:

• If you live in the Galaxy ecosystem and can snag Buds2 Pro on sale, they are excellent value and convenience for your world.
• If you want the absolute best ANC and battery or you move between Apple and non-Apple devices often, AirPods Pro 3 are more universal and powerful in those aspects (though lacking an Android app, yes).

Given the question’s scope, a general audience comparison would say: AirPods Pro 3 outperform Galaxy Buds2 Pro in most technical metrics (ANC, battery, advanced features)【40†L583-L591】, but the Buds2 Pro integrate nicely with Samsung devices and come at a lower price point, making them a strong choice for Galaxy users who prioritize comfort and ecosystem perks over maximum noise cancelation.

(Indeed, SoundGuys even mentions Buds2 Pro remain the “best ANC earbuds for Samsung devices, even over the newer Galaxy Buds 3 Pro”【40†L583-L591】 – implying until Buds3 come, Buds2 Pro are the go-to for Samsung folk, despite not beating AirPods/Sony on raw ANC, they’re optimized for Samsung phones.)

AirPods Pro 3 vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 (released late 2024) are Google’s answer to AirPods Pro for the Android/Pixel ecosystem. They took the solid Pixel Buds Pro (2022) and improved fit and features:

• Design & Fit: Pixel Buds Pro 2 added small stabilizer fins (“wingtips”) to each bud and reduced weight by 27%【7†L96-L100】. Many Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) users had issues with buds working loose during runs – Google addressed that. Pixel Buds Pro 2 now fit much more securely (the wing locks them in) and at 4.7g each, they’re lighter than AirPods Pro 3’s ~5.3g. So comfort is excellent – likely on par or even better than AirPods if the wing doesn’t bother you. (The wing is quite small, more like an integrated nub, not a big fin like Beats – most find it comfortable【7†L93-L100】.) AirPods Pro 3, without a wing, rely on their shape and five tip sizes – which will suit most, but if you have tricky ear anatomy and had trouble with AirPods staying put, Pixel Buds Pro 2 might finally give you that locked-in feel. Both are IPX4 sweat-resistant (Pixel Buds Pro 2 are presumably at least IPX4 like gen1). Pixel Buds Pro 2’s case is larger than AirPods’ (the Pixel Buds case is more egg-shaped), and it has Qi wireless and USB-C as well.
• ANC & Transparency: The original Pixel Buds Pro had decent ANC, but not class-leading. Pixel Buds Pr twitter.com facebook.comC than gen1 thanks to a new Google Tensor A1 chip【9†L133-L140】. They also have a feature called “Silent Seal 2.0” that optimizes ANC based on your ear fit with the wing, presumably similar to Bose’s calibration tone【7†L99-L107】. Reviewers like Gizmodo found the ANC on Pixel Buds Pro 2 “so powerful you might have to put up with some eardrum suck” – meaning it cancels a lot, enough that the pressure effect is noticeable after long periods【49†L175-L179】. They noted it silenced street conversations “to the point of being inaudible, which the AirPods [non-Pro] 4 failed to do”【49†L165-L173】. Now, compared to AirPods Pro 3: AirPods Pro 3’s ANC is likely still stronger. Pixel Buds Pro 2 probably brought Google’s ANC up to roughly AirPods Pro 2 level (just speculating from their 2× claim; AirPods Pro 2 was a known reference point). But AirPods Pro 3 doubled that. So AirPods Pro 3 likely maintain a lead in ANC. Still, Pixel Buds Pro 2’s ANC is now in the top tier for Android buds – some early impressions say it’s nearly as good as Sony/Bose in many scenarios. Both Pixel Buds and AirPods have an adaptive volume feature now (Pixel Adaptive Sound, AirPods Adaptive Audio) that adjusts volume/ANC based on environment – conceptually similar, though Pixel’s earlier Adaptive Sound was not as sophisticated; presumably Pixel Buds Pro 2 improve it. Transparency: Pixel Buds Pro’s transparency mode in gen1 was serviceable but not natural; Google likely improved it in gen2 but it’s not heavily praised – main improvement is Pixel Buds Pro 2 now have advanced sensors to measure outside noise precisely (they mention a new high-frequency microphone and chamber【9†L157-L164】). They do have a feature called “Protect your hearing” (dampens sudden loud noises in transparency) listed in their store page【9†L161-L169】 – basically Google’s version of Adaptive Transparency, though with a “Coming soon September 2025” tag when announced (perhaps rolled out in an update). So by late 2025, Pixel Buds Pro 2 likely have a similar loud-noise filtering in transparency. AirPods Pro had it since 2022. In effect, Pixel Buds Pro 2 caught up a lot on ANC features. AirPods Pro 3 still might sound more natural in transparency – Gizmodo didn’t comment on transparency for Pixel Buds Pro 2 aside from that “air” in mids, but historically Pixel Buds allow you to adjust transparency level but can sound a bit amplified.
• Sound Quality: Pixel Buds Pro 2 are rated highly. Gizmodo’s reviewer was clearly impressed: “The Tensor A1 chip did wonders… the sound is extremely crisp and detailed… bass hits the perfect spot, not overdone or muddy… high-end is less prominent but decent, mids have space.”【49†L147-L155】【49†L157-L163】. That reads like a very balanced tuning with perhaps a slight bass emphasis (low-end on a separate layer requiring attention, as they said). They have large 11mm drivers like AirPods Pro, and an improved internal design for treble (a separate chamber)【9†L157-L164】. It sounds like Pixel Buds Pro 2 fixed the issues of gen1 (where bass could dominate and highs were slightly tinny). Now they’re likely on par with AirPods Pro 2 in clarity. AirPods Pro 3 might still have an edge in midrange naturalness or overall coherence just due to Apple’s careful tuning, but it’s extremely close. Both support only AAC/SBC (Pixel Buds Pro 2 didn’t introduce aptX or LDAC – they stick to standard codecs, focusing on what their Tensor chip can do in DSP). So neither has a hi-res codec advantage; both rely on computational audio to upscale quality. Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a 5-band EQ in the Pixel Buds app【49†L129-L137】 – big for tinkerers, as you can personalize the sound fully. AirPods have no EQ. So if you like customizing sound, Pixel Buds Pro 2 are great on Android for that. Spatial audio: Pixel Buds Pro 2 support spatial audio with head tracking on Pixel devices (for 5.1+ content). AirPods Pro 3 support spatial on Apple devices (for Dolby Atmos in Apple Music & videos). Each within its ecosystem does spatial similarly. Pixel’s spatial might not be as widely supported across apps as Apple’s (Apple works with Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+ on iOS etc., Pixel’s maybe works with YouTube and a few apps).
• Integration & Features: On a Pixel or Android phone, Pixel Buds Pro 2 seamlessly integrate – Fast Pair for quick Bluetooth pairing, appear in your list of devices in the Google account, etc. They also have Google Assistant built-in: just say “Hey Google” and the Assistant responds in your ear, can read notifications, send replies, etc. It’s basically the Google analog of Siri with AirPods. It works excellently on Android. AirPods Pro 3 on Android get none of that (no Siri, obviously, and they can’t trigger Google Assistant either because that’s not built-in to them; you’d h soundguys.comess phone or something). Pixel Buds Pro 2 also have some futuristic features:
  • Gemini AI (Assistant): This is Google’s upcoming AI model integrated into Pixel devices. Pixel Buds Pro 2 are pitched to work with “Gemini Live” – essentially a more conversational AI assistant that can do things like summarize messages or perform complex tasks by voice【9†L183-L191】【49†L183-L191】. The reviewer found it not truly hands-free (you have to long-press to talk to it) and a bit clunky at launch【49†L185-L193】【49†L187-L195】, but it’s something Google will iterate. AirPods rely on Siri, which, while improved, is not at generative AI level yet. So in future, Pixel Buds might be your voice gateway to a powerful AI (imagine asking your earbuds to draft an email or translate something with context). Apple might get there via Siri + ChatGPT backing eventually, but not yet.
  • Head gestures: Pixel Buds Pro 2 can detect head nods or shakes to accept or reject calls【9†L199-L207】 – a neat trick no one else has. AirPods Pro 3 don’t do that.
  • Multipoint: Pixel Buds Pro 2 support full Bluetooth multipoint – connect to 2 devices simultaneously (e.g., Pixel phone + laptop) and seamlessly handle audio from either【40†L619-L627】. AirPods Pro don’t do standard multipoint; they auto-switch between Appl apple.comSo Pixel Buds Pro 2 are more versatile if you want to stay connected to, say, your phone and computer at once (and you can even manually connect them to an iPhone + an Android phone concurrently because it’s standard Bluetooth, something AirPods can’t do cross-ecosystem).
  • Find My Device: Pixel Buds Pro 2 can be tracked with Google’s Find whathifi.cometwork (the case even has a loud speaker beep like AirPods do【9†L133-L140】). So losing them, you have recourse, though Google’s network isn’t quite as crowdsourced as Apple’s (at least until Google launches their soundguys.comDevice network with 3rd party trackers possibly).
  On Apple devices, Pixel Buds Pro 2 will function as basic Bluetooth earbuds – no app, no fancy features. You could use them on a Mac or iPhone but you miss out on customizing ANC or updates. Conversely, AirPods Pro 3 on Android function as basic ANC earbuds, but at least Pixel Buds on iPhone get an AAC connection whereas AirPods on Pixel get stuck with maybe SBC (because Pixel doesn’t use AAC with AirPods reliably – act youtube.comphones do support AAC, but historically some Android devices had poorer AAC performance; Google likely optimized AAC though, since Pixel Buds use it with iPhones, it should be fine).
• Battery: Pixel Buds Pro 2 claim 8h ANC on, 12h off, 30h total (ANC)【34†L21-L25】. That matches AirPods Pro 3 in buds (8h) and slightly short in total (AirPods 32h vs Pixel 30h). But practically very close. Pixel Buds Pro 2 benefit from the new Tensor A1 chip being efficient, so they kept battery life high. In fact, one Android Authority review of Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) marveled at their endurance (they got ~7h ANC in tests, and nearly 11h off ANC)【34†L27-L30】. Pixel Buds Pro 2 having 8h means Google at least matches Apple here. Both cases support wireless charging. Both support quick-charge (Pixel says ~5 min for 1 hour of listening【34†L23-L25】, similar to Apple’s spec). So battery is basically a tie. This is an area where older Pixel Buds Pro 1 had an advantage over AirPods Pro 2 (7h vs 6h); now AirPods Pro 3 leveled up, so they’re equal footing.
• Call Quality: Pixel Buds Pro 2 incorporate better mics and bone conduction sensors to detect speech (like AirPods). We haven’t seen extensive mic comparisons published yet, but Pixel Buds Pro (1st gen) were decent on calls, maybe a notch below AirPods in noisy conditions. Pixel Buds Pro 2 likely improved that with updated algorithms. Given AirPods Pro 3’s very advanced voice focus, I suspect AirPods still hold an edge in the toughest conditions (lots of wind or city noise). In quiet or moderate noise, both will make your voice clear. Pixel Buds have the added advantage on Android of being able to read out messages and let you respond by voice on many apps (Assistant integration for calls/messages) – that’s something AirPods only do fully with iPhone and Siri. So each on its home turf is call-friendly. Cross-platform, AirPods might be easier to use with, say, an iPhone’s voice control versus Pixel Buds lacking an iOS app for reading notifications.

Verdict: For Android/Pixel users, Pixel Buds Pro 2 are to Android what AirPods Pro 3 are to iPhone – a top-tier, feature-rich choice optimized for that environment. They have closed much of the gap in ANC and sound, while adding unique Google-only features (wings for fit, live Google Assistant, head gesture controls, etc.). If you have a Pixel phone or generally use Google’s ecosystem, Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer an experience as cohesive and “magical” as AirPods do on iPhone – Google even touts that they “automatically switch between your devices and integrate with Assistant seamlessly,” which reviews back up.

If you are an Apple user, AirPods Pro 3 still are the obvious better choice due to full compatibility (Pixel Buds would be crippled on eone straddles ecosystems (e.g., uses an iPhone and an Android tablet or Windows PC regularly), Pixel Buds Pro 2 might ironically provide more flexibility via multipoint and a more universal approach (since AirPods don’t play as nicely outside Apple). But you’d give up some of the Apple-specific benefits.

In terms of raw performance, AirPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2:

• ANC: AirPods Pro 3 stronger (though Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now among the best on Android).
• Sound: Both excellent; AirPods slightly more neutral, Pixel Buds maybe a hair more bass (user-EQ can make either sound however you want on Pixel Buds).
• Comfort: Pixel Buds Pro 2’s lighter, winged design might be more secure, AirPods Pro 3 also very comfortable and now with ext apple.comcan fit virtually anyone – call it a draw (depends on ear shape and wing preference).
• Battery: Essentially tied.
• Ecosystem: Each wins on its own turf – AirPods in Apple land, Pixel Buds in Google land.

One can quote a line: “Pixel Buds Pro 2 could be a real winner… Combine improved ANC, upgraded sound quality, and a new case with a built-in speaker for easy locating, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 cou theverge.comrthy upgrade to an already solid pair of earbuds,” wrote a ChromeUnboxed reviewer【7†L87-L95】【7†L89-L97】. This shows the enthusiasm for Pixel Buds Pro 2. Likewise, CNET’s David Carnoy lauded AirPods Pro 3 as making Bose and Sony sweat【29†L13-L16】. So clearly, each is highly regarded in its sphere.

Thus, if asked pl theverge.comPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2 – which is better? The answer heavily depends on what phone you have:

• With an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 deliver a frictionless experience and features Pixel Buds can’t access (Siri, quick pairing, etc.) while also likely edging out Pixel Buds in twitter.coml quality.
• With a Pixel or Android, Pixel Buds Pro 2 integrate better and give you those Google-exclusive perks (plus you’re saving about $50 as Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $199 vs AirPods $249)【7†L113-L120】【13†L129-L135】.

For a general audience, the takeaway is both are top-of-the-line for their respective ecosystems. If someone just wants the best earbuds overall, it might boil down to personal preference of platform and minor sound differences.

AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Fit Pro (1st Gen) and Powerbeats Fit (2nd Gen)

Beats is an interesting competitor since it’s actually owned by Apple and shares a lot of tech with AirPods, but targets a slightly different audience (fitness and style-conscious users). Let’s compare:

Audio & ANC: Beats Fit Pro (2021) have essentially the AirPods Pro 1’s internals – same Apple H1 chip, same ANC/transparency performance as original AirPods Pro. They sound very similar to AirPods Pro 1 (balanced, with perhaps a touch more bass punch by virtue of the soundguys.com42†L9-L16】. They have Spatial Audio support with head tracking on Apple devices, just like AirPods Pro. Their ANC is a step below AirPods Pro 2 and definitely below AirPods Pro 3. In fact, SoundGuys measured Beats Fit Pro’s ANC and found it just slightly less effective than AirPods Pr techgearlab.comy in mid frequencies)【43†L344-L352】【43†L358-L365】 – still very good, but not the best. AirPods Pro 3’s ANC, being far improved even over Pro 2, easily beats Beats Fit Pro’s. In practice, Beats Fit Pro will cancel a lot of steady noise but won’t be as whisper-quiet in very loud environm apple.comPods Pro 3. Their transparency is decent (because of H1 chip doing similar processing), but AirPods Pro 3’s is more advanced (Beats didn’t get the Adaptive Transparency update that AirPods Pro 2 did – Beats Fit Pro have standard transparency with no specific loud noise dampening). So pure performan techgearlab.comPro 3 hands down outclass Beats Fit Pro in ANC and likely slight apple.comlarity as well, thanks to newer drivers and H2/H3 chip tuning.

However, Beats Fit Pro’s sound quality is still excellent – reviews often said if you blindfolded someone they’d have a hard time telling apart Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro (gen1) in sound. So Beats Fit Pro are not a downgrade in sound by much; they just lack the incremental improvements AirPods Pro 2 and 3 brought (like slightly better high-frequency detail and adaptive EQ enhancements). If you listen to them side-by-side, AirPods Pro 3 will probably sound a bit more refined (especially at higher volumes or in complex tracks), but Beats Fit Pro remain one of the better sounding Beats products, tuned more neutrally than old bass-heavy Beats.

Fit & Design: This is where Beats Fit Pro shine. They have the flexible wingtip that tucks into your anti-helix (upper ear). This design is made for stability during workouts – and it works. Runners, gym-goers, etc., love Beats Fit Pro because they simply do not fall out. As Tom’s Guide’s reviewer said, “The first thing I noticed about the Beats Fit Pro was that they fit in my ears near perfectly — and they sta techgearlab.com techgearlab.comg, I had no trouble. I was ecstatic.”【50†L633-L639】. If AirPods (with no wing) tend to come loose for y techgearlab.comnse movement or if you have particularly sweaty conditions causing slippage, Beats Fit Pro are a savior. They’re also available in multiple colors (black, sage, stone purple techgearlab.comlimited edition skins), which some prefer over AirPods’ singular white. The Beats aes techgearlab.com techgearlab.com ear too – no long stem, just a small fin.

AirPods Pro 3 improved fit a lot, but they still might not stay put for everyone during, say, sprinting or burpees. Beats Fit Pro basically ensure they do unless your ears are an outlier shape. The trade-off: some people find after 1-2 hours, the wing can cause a slight soreness, because it’s putting pressure in the ear ridge. Most find them fine, but a few have reported discomfort on longer listening sessions due to the wing. AirPods Pro 3, without any wing, might be more comfortable for marathon listening or lying down (the wing might poke if your ear is against a pillow, whereas AirPods’ small bud + stem might actually be easier to lie on if you angle it).

Water Resistance: Beats Fit Pro are IPX4 (just like AirPods Pro – sweat and splash proof). Interestingly, Beats are marketed for working out but they aren’t more water-resistant than AirPods. So it’s mainly the wing that sets them apart, not higher water rating (for truly water-resistant sport buds, one might consider something like Jabra Elite 7 Active at IP57, but anyway).

Battery: Beats Fit Pro: ~6 hours ANC on (they often got about 6h20m in tests)【43†L327-L335】, 7 hours off ANC, and the case gives additional ~18 hours (for ~24h total). AirPods Pro 3: 8h ANC, ~32h total with case. So AirPods Pro 3 last longer in buds and especially in the case’s extra charges. Beats Fit Pro’s case is notably without wireless charging (charging is USB-C only, and somewhat annoyingly the included cable is very short). This is one area Beats cut cost vs AirPods. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit (Beats Fit Pro 2) hopefully adds wireless charging – rumors say many asked for it. The Beats Fit Pro case is a bit larger than AirPods Pro’s (due to wings making buds bigger). Still pocketable, but more square-ish and doesn’t have any speaker or U1 chip. So if lost, you rely on Bluetooth connection to find them (they do integrate with Find My for showing last known location and playing a sound through the buds – but not through the case, since no speaker – only works if buds are out of case or case is open with buds in).

Features & Integration: Beats Fit Pro on Apple devices behave nearly identical to AirPods:

• One-touch pairing popup, iCloud sync, automatic switching among Apple devices, hands-free “Hey Siri”, Audio Sharing with other AirPods/Beats, etc. They appear in the Find My app (with location tracking as mentioned). You can even do Personalized Spatial Audio ear scans for them now, I believe, since that came to Beats Fit Pro via firmware in iOS 16. (Beats Fit Pro do support head-tracked spatial, but they lack the U1 chip for Precision Find and the charging case whistles.)
• On Android, Beats Fit Pro have a Beats app which lets you toggle ANC modes, see battery, and update firmware. They also support Google Fast Pair, so pairing is easy on Android too. They even integrate with Google’s Find My Device (they can report last location to Google’s network). This cross-platform support is something AirPods lack. It makes Beats Fit Pro arguably the best option for someone who alternates between iPhone and Android – you get most of the benefits on both sides (they obviously won’t do auto-switching across iOS and Android, but you can pair to both and switch manually, and you have an app on Android to control them).
• Beats Fit Pro have the H1 ch apple.comso some of the newest Apple features are missing: e.g., no Adaptive Audio (the iOS 17 feature for blending modes) – that requires H2. No Conversation Awareness auto-lowering when you speak (also an H2 feature). No Adaptive Transparency for loud noises (H2 feature in AirPods Pro 2). So AirPods Pro 3 (H2/H3) have a lot of these quality-of-life extras that Beats Fit Pro (H1) do not. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit presumably will upgrade to H2 or H3, thereby gaining those. The MacRumors teaser says “could have features from Powerbeats Pro 2 (which has H2) including heart rate and ANC”【53†L154-L162】. If Powerbeats Fit gets H2 or H3, it might essentially become an AirPods Pro 3 in a winged form. Until then, Beats Fit Pro remain like AirPods Pro 1.5.
• Beats Fit Pro do have one unique thing ironically: you can adjust volume by saying “Hey Siri, volume up” on iPhone (AirPods can too), but on Android they integrated with Google Assistant somewhat: you can long-press and it will invoke the default assistant on Android. Not as deeply as Pixel Buds though. But at least they’re not limited to Siri only – on Android you can choose to have a long-press connect to Google Assistant, I believe, via the Beats app.

Price: Beats Fit Pro MSRP $199, but often on sale for ~$159 (and as low as $129 during certain holiday sales). apple.com, so discounts are common. AirPods Pro 3 at $249 likely won’t go below ~$229 for a while. So Beats Fit Pro can be significantly cheap amazon.comatch a sale – making them a great value if you primarily want Apple’s core tech without the highest-end refinements. The upcoming Powerbeats Fit might launch at $199 or similar, bridging that gap, but not sure.

So who should choose Beats vs AirPods Pro 3?

• If you prioritize workout security above all – e.g., you frequently had AirPods fall out – then Beats Fit Pro or waiting for Powerbeats Fit is the way to go. They sacrifice a bit of ANC prowess and the latest features, but they stay put and still cancel noise well (just not as well as the absolute best).
• If you want the latest tech and maximum ANC/Transparency and you’re okay with the standard AirPods design, AirPods Pro 3 are superior. They’re also better for things like quiet listening, commuting, calls, etc., due to stronger ANC and those H2/H3 features.
• Some might choose Beats for style – AirPods white stems are noticeable; Beats in black or colors are more understated. Also, younger users sometimes prefer the Beats brand aesthetic. Functionally, that’s subjective, but it’s a factor for some.
• If you use both iPhone and Android or plan to switch phone ecosystems, Beats Fit Pro’s cross-platform friendliness is appealing. AirPods on Android lose too many features; Beats on Android still allow ANC toggling via app and even firmware updates. So Beats Fit Pro serve as a sort of universal AirPods.

Powerbeats Fit (2nd gen Beats Fit Pro): Expected fall 2025, teased by Apple as “Powerbeats Fit, coming fall 2025”【53†L159-L163】. Leaks suggest they look nearly identical to Beats Fit Pro (winged, in black/orange/pink/beige colors)【54†L34-L42】. What will likely change is internal chip (to H2 or H3), meaning they’ll get all AirPods Pro 2/3 features – maybe even the heart-rate sensor (since Apple mentioned heart rate in context of Beats Fit). If Powerbeats Fit do have heart rate, ANC comparable to AirPods Pro 3, and maybe better battery or wireless charging, they could be the ultimate fitness earbuds: all of AirPods Pro 3’s brains with Beats’ physical design. That would essentially remove any performance gap – it’d just be form factor preference (stems techgearlab.comby late 2025/2026, Apple will offer two flavors: AirPods Pro (no wing, for general use) and Beats Fit/Powerbeats Fit (with wing, fo macrumors.com– both with similar guts.

But as of now (early adoption of AirPods Pro 3), Beats Fit Pro are a generation behind in brains. They’re still excellent earphones – a Wirecutter favorite for workouts. But if you’re comparing fresh, AirPods Pro 3 are technologically superior.

Verdict: If you work out often or have issues with bud stability, Beats Fit Pro (or techcrunch.comng Powerbeats Fit) are a better choice – they sacrifice some noise-canceling performance but won’t budge during movement. For everyone else who wants the best all-rounder, AirPods Pro 3 outclass Beats Fit Pro in ANC, sound refinement, feature set, and total battery life.

For an Apple user who just occasionally jogs or goes to the gym lightly, AirPods Pro 3 might suffice in ear stability with the new tips; if doing intense training, Beats Fit Pro might be worth the trade-off. The good news: both integrate with Apple devices (and each can use the other’s features somewhat since same ecosystem). Some people even own both – AirPods Pro for daily life, Beats for workouts – and Apple makes it easy to use multiple audio devices with one account. But for one-device solutions:

• Choose AirPods Pro 3 for maximum tech and versatility (especially if you don’t have special fit needs).
• Choose Beats Fit Pro if your use-case demands rock-solid fit and you don’t mind slightly older tech (or hold out for Powerbeats Fit which should bring parity in tech + wing design, likely the best of both worlds for the fitness-focused).

Finally, let’s recap in a comparison table style (for quick scanning):

Audio Quality:

• AirPods Pro 3: Balanced, clear, adaptive EQ; no manual EQ; Spatial 9to5mac.com on Apple.
• Sony XM5: Warm, rich sound, adjustable EQ, LDAC hi-res support.
• Bose Ultra: Expansive soundstage, strong bass/treble, app EQ, always-immersive mode.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Punchy sound, 24-bit on Galaxy, preset EQ only.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Crisp and detailed, slight bass emphasis, full 5-band EQ on Android.
• Beats Fit Pro: Similar to AirPods Pro (gen1) – balanced with a touch more bass, spatial on Apple, no custom EQ.

Noise Cancellation: soundguys.comds Pro 3: Top-tier ANC (2× AirPods Pro 2)【3†L319-L327】; Adaptive Transparency for loud noises【38†L339-L347】.

• Sony XM5: Excellent ANC (especially low freq); 20 levels + adaptive modes.
• Bose Ultra: Arguably best ANC (pre-2025); “Insane” noise cancelling【45†L160-L168】; adjustable levels.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Good ANC, but not as strong as above; no manual level (on/off).
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Much improved ANC (2× gen1); very good, just shy of Apple/Sony; adaptive.
• Beats Fit Pro: Solid ANC (like AirPods Pro 1); a notch below newest AirPods/Sony/Bose.

Transparency Mode:

• AirPods Pro 3: Extremely natural; personalized voice passthrough【3†L311-L317】.
• Sony XM5: Good but slight hiss; speak-to-chat feature.
• Bose Ultra: Improved but slightly artificial; “ActiveSense” softens loud sounds in Aware mode.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Ambient mode adjustable, acceptable clarity; Voice Detect auto mode.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Decent, improved from gen1; loud noise protection feature; not as seamless as AirPods.
• Beats Fit Pro: Decent (same tech as AirPods Pro gen1); not adaptive to loud sounds.

Fit & Comfort:

• AirPods Pro 3: Very comfortable; no wings; 5 tip tomsguide.comding XXS; IPX4.
• Sony XM5: Very comfortable; no stems; 4 foam tip sizes; IPX4; slightly bigger case.
• Bose Ultra: Secure with wingtips; heavier; some may get pressure over long use; IP54 (sweat resistant).
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Ultra-compact, low-profile; extremely comfortable; no stem/wing; IPX7 (high water resist).
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Light and secure (small wing); very comfy; no stem; IPX4.
• Beats Fit Pro: Extremely secure (flex wing); great for vigorous activity; can cause slight ear fatigue over time; multiple colors; IPX4.

Battery Life (buds + case):

• AirPods Pro 3: ~8h ANC, ~32h total【3†L323-L327】; MagSafe/USB-C/Watch charging; case with U1 speaker.
• Sony XM5: ~8h ANC, ~24h total; USB-C only; no case speaker.
• Bose Ultra: ~6h ANC (4h Immersive), ~24h total; USB-C only; no wireless charging; no case speaker.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: ~5h ANC, ~18-20h total; USB-C + Qi wireless; no case speaker.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: ~8h ANC, ~30h total; USB-C + Qi; case with speaker (for ring).
• Beats Fit Pro: ~6h ANC, ~24h total; USB-C only; no wireless charging; no case speaker.

Integration & Ecosystem:

• AirPods Pro 3: Seamless with Apple (instant pair, auto-switch, Siri, Find My Precision)【40†L519-L527】; basic Bluetooth on others.
• Sony XM5: Works well on iOS/Android (app on both); multipoint 2 devices; no deep OS integration; Alexa/Google on Android.
• Bose Ultra: App on iOS/Android; multipoint; no OS integration; Alexa/Assistant with button press.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Best with Samsung (fast pair, auto device switch, 24-bit audio, 360 Audio, video mic); limited on other Android; no iOS app.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Best with Pixel/Android (fast pair, auto-switch, Assistant voice, Pixel-exclusive features); multipoint; no iOS app.
• Beats Fit Pro: Great on Apple (like AirPods: iCloud switch, Hey Siri, spatial); also good on Android (Beats app, Fast Pair, Assistant via long-press); broad Find My support.

Unique Perks:

• AirPods Pro 3: Heart-rate soundguys.comworkouts【1†L57-L65】; Live Translation feature【36†L149-L157】; Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness (auto adjust) on iOS.
• Sony XM5: Custom EQ + DSEE upscaling; Adaptive Sound (location/activity based ANC); Speak-to-Chat; LDAC codec for hi-res.
• Bose Ultra: Immersive Audio (spatialize any content); CustomTune calibration every use; adjustable self-voice for calls.
• Galaxy Buds2 Pro: “24-bit Hi-Fi” audio on Galaxy; head-tracked Dolby Atmos on Galaxy; Voice Detect; seamless with Galaxy Watches for audio control.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: “Gemini” AI Assistant integration (advanced voice commands)【49†L183-L191】; head gestures (nod to answer)【9†L199-L207】; 5-band EQ; Google Translate conversation mode (via Assistant) still doable.
• Beats Fit Pro: Winged design for sports; multiple fashion colors; cross-platform support (Android app); fits in with Apple’s ecosystem features almost fully.

In conclusion, the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 1 show a clear evolution in Apple’s pursuit of the perfect wireless earbud:

• AirPods Pro 1 (2019) broke ground with effective ANC and great ease of use, instantly popularizing features like Transparency mode【3†L221-L229】.
• AirPods Pro 2 (2022) refined everything – better noise canceling, better sound, longer battery, smarter case – keeping Apple on par with the best of 2022【13†L119-L127】.
• AirPods Pro 3 (2025) takes another leap: establishing new benchmarks in ANC, adding health and translation smarts, and further integrating personal audio into Apple’s ecosystem【13†L135-L143】. It effectively narrows the traditional gaps with specialist competitors like Sony (sound customization) and Bose (ANC might) while maintaining its huge lead in user experience for Apple customers.

When comparing to major market rivals:

• Sony WF-1000XM5: AirPods Pro 3 match its noise canceling and nearly its sound quality while surpassing it in convenience for iPhone users【40†L519-L527】.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: AirPods Pro 3 deliver comparable silence and a more neutral sound without Bose’s bulk or price premium【45†L262-L270】【13†L135-L143】.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: AirPods Pro 3 offer far stronger ANC and battery life, making them a better all-rounder except for die-hard Samsung integration features【40†L583-L591】.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: AirPods Pro 3 represent the pinnacle for Apple’s world, just as Pixel Buds Pro 2 do for Google’s – each is best suited to its own ecosystem, with AirPods Pro 3 holding an edge in ANC and some advanced features.
• Beats Fit Pro: AirPods Pro 3 carry newer tech, but Beats Fit Pro cater to a different niche (active use) with their secure fit; they’re a great complement for fitness enthusiasts, though the forthcoming Powerbeats Fit may soon marry AirPods Pro 3 tech with that Beats design.

In the end, AirPods Pro 3 deliver an exceptionally well-rounded package for a general audience. They offer top-tier audio quality, dramatically improved noise cancellation, and thoughtful features (from Adaptive Transparency to heart-rate tracking) that enhance everyday life【1†L57-L65】【3†L321-L328】. They achieve all this in a comfortable, compact form that integrates effortlessly with the devices and services people use daily. While competitors each have their strengths – be it Sony’s customization, Bose’s immersion, Samsung’s device synergy, Google’s AI integration, or Beats’ secure fit – none quite combine all these aspects as harmoniously as the AirPods Pro 3 do for Apple users.

For someone deciding among these options:

• If you use Apple devices, AirPods Pro 3 are arguably the best choice overall, giving you a “no-compromise” experience【57†L1-L8】 – excellent sound/ANC plus the convenience of the Apple ecosystem and some futuristic features to boot.
• If you’re in another ecosystem or have specific priorities (like extreme sport stability or a particular sound signature), one of the other models might suit better. But the good news is, at this level, there are no bad choices – just different flavors of an excellent experience.

As technology reviewer Chris Welch wrote in his AirPods Pro 3 review: “Their ANC is excellent for the price, sound quality is great, and they’re comfortable and convenient.”【57†L1-L8】 That sentiment rings true – AirPods Pro 3 excel on all key fronts, making them a formidable upgrade over AirPods Pro 1 and 2 and a top contender against any wireless earbuds on the market as of 2025.

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