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AirPods Pro 3 Review: Enhanced Battery, Superior Noise Cancellation, and Improved Sound Quality | Apple

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Apple’s highly acclaimed AirPods Pro Bluetooth earphones have returned in their third generation, featuring an improved fit, extended battery life, built-in heart rate sensors, and enhanced noise cancellation, all while maintaining a look similar to their predecessors.


Although three years have elapsed since the previous version, these earphones remain exclusively white. The differences between them and earlier generations are subtle and require close inspection.

Priced at £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429), the AirPods Pro 3 is £30 less expensive in the UK than its predecessor at launch and features compatibility with AirPods 4.

The earphones have undergone slight shape refinements to enhance comfort, especially during prolonged listening sessions exceeding three hours. The package includes five sizes of tips, but if you prefer non-silicone earphones, these won’t offer much difference.




The stems maintain their previous length, but the earphones’ shape has been optimized to better align the tips with the ear canal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Most functions are standard for modern earphones. Squeeze the stems for playback controls, swipe for volume adjustment, or remove them to pause music. They support features introduced with older Apple earphones, like the Shutter Remote Camera app and live translation using the translation app on your iPhone. The latter currently supports only English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but works surprisingly well for casual conversations.

A notable drawback is that others still need to read translated speeches from their iPhones. This feature proves most useful for announcements and audio guides, especially for singular language translations in transportation hubs and museums.

One of the standout hardware features is heart rate monitoring through the sensors on the earbuds, similar to Apple’s PowerBeats Pro 2 fitness band. This can be utilized with over 50 workout tracking options via the Fitness app or select third-party apps on your iPhone. Its readings align closely with those from a Garmin Forerunner 970 or an Apple Watch during activities like walking and running. Additionally, the earphones boast an IP57 water resistance rating, making them more resilient to rain and sweat than previous models.

Battery life has improved, extending to at least 8 hours of playback, along with competitive noise cancellation on every charge, making them suitable for most listening durations.




The compact flip-top case provides two full charges for a combined playback time of 24 hours (6 hours shorter than the previous generation), with just 5 minutes of charging offering an hour of listening time. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Specifications

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, UWB

  • Battery life: 8 hours of ANC playback (24 hours in case)

  • Water resistance: IP57 (buds and case)

  • Earphone dimensions: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0mm

  • Earphone weight: 5.6g each

  • Charging case dimensions: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8mm

  • Charging case weight: 44g

  • Case charging: USB-C, QI Wireless/Magsafe, Apple Watch

Richer Sound and Exceptional Noise Cancellation




The silicone tips are designed to slightly expand for a better seal, enhancing both music quality and noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The audio experience with the third-generation AirPods Pro is impressive, offering louder playback with an expansive soundscape. They maintain powerful, well-regulated bass while enhancing the spaciousness of larger tracks. The sound is detailed and balanced, catering to various genres, with ample power when needed. However, like other Apple headphones, they can occasionally feel a tad clinical, lacking warmth and rawness in some tracks, which may lessen the impact of deep bass notes. Nevertheless, few earphones can outshine these in terms of price and size.

Apple’s implementation of spatial audio for movies is unrivaled, and while its efficacy in spatial music remains mixed, it provides an immersive experience with compatible devices and services.




The AirPods Pro offers the ideal blend of earphones and compact carrier, easily portable in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Enhanced noise cancellation is arguably the most significant upgrade. Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already excellent AirPods Pro 2. In direct comparisons, the AirPods Pro 3 effectively mitigates street noise, including traffic sounds and engine roars. It stands up impressively against the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6, renowned for their over-ear design.

They also excel in dampening disruptive high frequencies, such as keyboard clicks and conversations, making them well-suited for commuting and office environments.

Apple’s leading transparency mode is equally outstanding, allowing for natural sound experiences, as if the earbuds aren’t being worn at all. Sudden loud noises can be managed, making them handy in busy streets and while using hearing aids.

Call quality is superb, with my voice sounding clear and natural, whether in quiet settings or bustling environments, with only minimal ambient sounds noticeable during calls.

Sustainability




The charging case supports USB-C, Magsafe, QI, or Apple Watch charging, and includes new features like Limit Charging to prolong battery life. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Apple does not specify the expected battery lifespan. Typically, similar devices retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The earphones are not repairable, but Apple provides battery servicing for £49 per earphone or case, with replacement for lost or damaged items starting from £79. Repair specialist iFixit graded these earphones a 0 out of 10 for serviceability.

Both the AirPods and their cases include 40% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Apple offers trade-in and recycling programs, detailing the environmental impact of its earphones in their reports.

Price

The price for the AirPods Pro 3 is £219 (249 Euros/$249/$429).

For context, AirPods 4 starts at £119, while Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £250. The Sennheiser Momentum TW4 retails for £199, Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost £219, Sony WF-1000XM5 is available for £219, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are priced at £300.

Verdict

AirPods Pro 3 takes an already impressive second-generation model and enhances virtually every aspect.

A longer battery life and a more comfortable fit for extended listening sessions are welcome improvements. Additionally, proper water resistance and integrated heart rate monitoring cater well to fitness enthusiasts, particularly for activities like powerlifting where wearing a watch may not be practical. The live translation feature performs better than anticipated, despite its conversational limitations.

The standout element is the remarkably effective noise cancellation, comparable to top-tier over-ear headphones, while being much easier to transport.

Audiophiles may notice a slightly clinical sound profile, and full functionality requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Compatibility with Bluetooth devices like Android phones, PCs, and gaming consoles may not offer the same features. However, the significant drawback remains its difficult repairability, a common issue for true wireless earbuds, diminishing its rating.

Pros: Highly effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, industry-leading transparency, water resistance, integrated HR monitoring, seamless controls, advanced features when paired with Apple devices like spatial audio, remarkable comfort, and a premium case with excellent call quality.

Cons: Challenging to repair, premium price, lacks high-resolution audio support, minimal functionality with Android/Windows, similar appearance to its predecessor, and only available in white.




The AirPods Pro 3 is among the finest earphones available, especially for iPhone users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Amazon Faces Legal Challenges in the US Over Claims of Subscription Cancellation Difficulties

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Amazon faced a US government lawsuit on Monday, where it was accused of employing deceptive methods to enroll millions in its Prime subscription service, making cancellation nearly impossible.

A complaint from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed in June 2023, alleges that Amazon deliberately used a “dark pattern” design to mislead consumers into subscribing to a $139 Prime service during checkout.

According to the complaint, “For years, Amazon has intentionally and subconsciously enrolled millions of consumers in the Amazon Prime service.”

The case pivots on two primary claims: that Amazon registered customers without their clear consent through a confusing checkout process, and that it established a convoluted cancellation system dubbed “Illid.”

Judge John Chun presided over the case in federal court in Seattle. He is also overseeing another FTC case accusing Amazon of operating an illegal monopoly.

This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative, with multiple lawsuits against major tech companies in a bipartisan bid to rein in the influence of US tech giants after years of governmental inaction.

Allegedly, Amazon was aware of the extensive non-consensual Prime registrations but resisted modifications that would lessen these sign-ups due to their adverse effect on company revenue.

The FTC claims that Amazon’s checkout process forced customers to navigate a confusing interface designed with prominent buttons, effectively hiding the option to decline while signing up. Crucial information regarding Prime pricing and automatic updates was often concealed or presented in fine print, forming a core part of Amazon’s business model.

Additionally, the lawsuit scrutinizes Amazon’s cancellation procedure, which the FTC describes as a complicated “maze” involving 4 pages and 6 clicks.

The FTC seeks financial penalties, monetary relief, and permanent injunctions to mandate changes in Amazon’s practices.

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In its defense, Amazon argues that the FTC is overreaching its legal boundaries and asserts that it has made improvements to its registration and cancellation processes, dismissing the allegations as outdated.

The trial is anticipated to last around four weeks, relying heavily on internal Amazon communications and documents, as well as testimonies from company executives and expert witnesses.

Should the FTC prevail, Amazon could face significant financial repercussions and may be required to reform its subscription practices under court supervision.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cancellation of NASA’s VIPER lunar rover jeopardizes Artemis crewed landing in 2026

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VIPER won’t go to the moon after all

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASA has announced that a completed rover scheduled for launch to the moon next year will be dismantled due to budgetary issues, leading researchers to question whether the space agency is really committed to landing a crewed spacecraft on the moon in 2026 as it currently claims.

The Volatile Investigation Polar Rover (VIPER) would be sent to the moon’s south pole in September 2025 to search for water ice. The rover, equipped with a drill, would search for subsurface ice in several locations on the moon, including in craters that are permanently in shadow.

But on July 17, NASA announced it was canceling the mission. “Decisions like these are never easy,” Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said in a statement. “But in this case, VIPER’s remaining projected costs would have forced us to cancel or terminate many other missions, so we have made the decision to abandon this particular mission.”

NASA has already spent $450 million on the rover, and canceling it is expected to save only $84 million. NASA says it welcomes “expressions of interest from U.S. industry and international partners” to purchase VIPER, but if this does not occur by August 1, VIPER will be dismantled with the aim of reusing its parts for future missions.

Phil Metzger Metzger of the University of Central Florida said canceling the mission would be a “huge mistake” for NASA, especially since the space agency has ambitious goals of landing humans on the moon’s south pole in 2026 as part of its Artemis program. It could also jeopardize plans to use lunar ice as a source of rocket fuel. “The rover with the drill is an absolutely essential part of the mission,” Metzger said. “It would definitely have some impact on plans for a human mission.”

The cancellation of VIPER could also give China an advantage in lunar resource exploration: The unmanned probes Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8, scheduled for 2026 and 2028, respectively, are set to head to the lunar south pole to search for water ice.

Grant Tremblay Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said the cancellations highlight the budgetary challenges facing NASA and other U.S. government agencies, which have Funding is down 8.5% this year The funding came in just under $25 billion, less than the requested amount. “This is a perfect example of how tight the budget is across the board at NASA,” Tremblay said. “NASA can’t print money.”

Other NASA missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Mars Sample Return mission, which would bring rocks from Mars, are also facing cuts or cancellations due to shrinking budgets. “More bad news is sure to follow,” Tremblay said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com