Apple Unveils AirPods Pro 3 With H3 Chip, Health Sensors at September 9 Event

Lead Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3 today during its iPhone 17 keynote at Apple Park in Cupertino, revealing a new H3 chip, advanced heart-rate and temperature sensors, and enhanced noise cancellation.

Nut Graf The third-generation AirPods Pro represent Apple’s biggest earbud update in three years, integrating deeper health-tracking features and refined audio performance that position the earbuds as both premium listening devices and wellness tools.

Key Features and Specifications

H3 Chip: Delivers faster processing, superior connectivity, and underpins new audio capabilities and firmware improvements, following the H2 chip’s evolution.
Health Sensors: In-ear optical sensors enable real-time heart-rate monitoring and temperature sensing, syncing data automatically with Apple Health during workouts.
Active Noise Cancellation: Enhanced ANC leverages the H3 chip and redesigned vents to more effectively block ambient noise, outperforming the Pro 2 by up to two-fold.
Design & Case: Minor earbud redesign with a slightly reduced stem length; the charging case is more compact and swaps its physical pairing button for a capacitive sensor.
Live Translation: Apple Intelligence features include on-device live translation for in-person conversations, available at launch in multiple languages.

Availability and Pricing

Apple will take preorders for AirPods Pro 3 beginning today, with shipments expected to start within one week. The earbuds maintain the $249 introductory price point, mirroring the Pro 2’s launch MSRP.

Strategic Outlook

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes that this year’s Pro model sets the stage for a “high-end” variant in 2026 featuring infrared cameras for gesture controls and spatial audio enhancements, indicating a dual-version product strategy akin to Apple’s iPhone Pro line.