Latest Answers for the Product

ShopSavvy Answers are well-researched expert answers to common questions about popular products

Live Translation is one of those features that sounds incredible in Apple's keynote but has some real limitations in practice. Let me break down what it actually does and whether it's useful.

The Basic Idea

Someone speaks to you in Spanish (or another supported language), and you hear it in English through your AirPods Pro 3. When you reply in English, your phone translates it to Spanish and plays it through the speaker for them.

Pretty sci-fi, right?

What You Need

  • iPhone 15 Pro or newer (sorry, iPhone 15 regular won't work)
  • iOS 26 or later
  • Apple Intelligence turned on
  • Internet connection

Older phones can't do this even with the AirPods Pro 3.

Languages That Work Right Now

  • English (UK and US)
  • French (France)
  • German (Germany)
  • Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Spanish (Spain)

Coming eventually: Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese

Notably missing: Mandarin and Hindi. You know, just two of the most spoken languages on Earth.

The Reality Check

Here's what the reviews actually say:

It's useful for:

  • Ordering food when traveling
  • Asking for directions
  • Simple tourist interactions

It's not great for:

  • Actual fluid conversations (3-5 second delays make things awkward)
  • Noisy environments (it struggles to pick out the right voice)
  • People with strong accents
  • Anywhere without wifi or cellular

Apple even puts a warning on it: translations "may be inaccurate, unexpected, or offensive." So, you know, maybe don't use it for important negotiations.

My Take

If you travel occasionally and just need basic help communicating, this is a cool bonus feature. If you were hoping this would replace learning a language or hiring a translator for serious situations... not quite there yet.

Think of it as a smarter version of holding up your phone to Google Translate, not as a universal translator from Star Trek.

Read More
💧

Are AirPods Pro 3 waterproof?

Published: January 19th, 2026

Short answer: Water-resistant, not waterproof. Big difference.

What IP57 Actually Means

The AirPods Pro 3 are rated IP57. Here's the translation:

  • 5 = Protected against dust (some might get in, but won't break anything)
  • 7 = Can survive being dunked in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes

This is better than the Pro 2's IP54 rating, where the "4" only meant "splash resistant."

Real-World Translation

You're fine with:

  • Heavy sweating at the gym ✅
  • Getting caught in the rain ✅
  • Dropping them in a puddle ✅
  • Accidentally falling in your coffee ✅

Don't do this:

  • Swimming with them ❌
  • Wearing them in the shower ❌
  • Hot tub or sauna ❌
  • Beach + saltwater ❌

The Fine Print Apple Doesn't Emphasize

  1. Water resistance fades over time. Those seals wear down with use.
  2. Apple won't cover water damage. Even though they're "water resistant," if they die from moisture, that's on you.
  3. The rating is for fresh water. Saltwater, chlorine, and soap can all damage them.

After Getting Them Wet

  • Shake out excess water
  • Wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth
  • Let them air dry completely before charging
  • Never put wet AirPods in the case

For Serious Athletes

If you're doing Ironmans or swimming laps, these aren't the right choice. Look for IP68-rated earbuds specifically designed for water sports.

For everyone else doing normal gym stuff? The AirPods Pro 3 can handle it. Just don't be stupid about it.

Read More

Let me give you the honest breakdown on how the AirPods Pro 3 actually sound compared to the Pro 2.

The Short Version

The Pro 3 sound a bit better - more bass, wider stereo image, more "spacious." But it's not a night-and-day difference. If you close your eyes, you might not immediately know which is which.

What's Actually Different

More bass. Apple redesigned the acoustic chamber and it shows. Bass hits harder, especially noticeable on hip-hop and electronic music.

Wider soundstage. Music feels a bit more spread out, less "in your head." Spatial Audio content benefits from this too.

Better detail. You might notice more texture in reverb and room sounds. Subtle, but there.

The Weird Volume Thing

Apple uses something called Loudness-Dependent EQ. Translation: the sound profile changes based on how loud you're listening.

At low volumes, they boost bass and treble. If you're a low-volume listener (like listening while falling asleep), you might actually find the Pro 3 sound weird at first - too bass-heavy compared to what you're used to.

What's Still Missing

No EQ controls. In 2025. On $249 earbuds. Seriously, Apple?

Some $30 earbuds let you adjust bass and treble. AirPods? Nope. You get what Apple decided you should hear.

No high-res audio. Still stuck on AAC. No LDAC, no aptX HD, nothing fancy. Your lossless Apple Music files aren't actually playing losslessly on these.

Who Should Care?

You'll probably notice the difference if:

  • You listen to a lot of bass-heavy music
  • You use Spatial Audio frequently
  • You're sensitive to soundstage width

You probably won't notice if:

  • You mostly listen to podcasts
  • You had no complaints about Pro 2 sound
  • Music is background noise for you

Bottom Line

Better? Yes. Worth upgrading just for sound? Probably not. The improvements are real but subtle. The AirPods Pro 2 sound excellent, and the Pro 3 sound... also excellent, just slightly more so.

Read More

So you're wondering if those heart rate readings on your AirPods Pro 3 are actually legit? Good news - they're surprisingly accurate for most people.

Apple packed a custom PPG sensor into these earbuds that pulses infrared light 256 times per second to track your blood flow. And here's the cool part - your ear canal is actually a better spot for measuring heart rate than your wrist because it's closer to major arteries and doesn't bounce around as much when you move.

What the Experts Found

DC Rainmaker (basically the gold standard for fitness tech reviews) was pretty blown away - the AirPods Pro 3 sometimes beat the Apple Watch in matching chest strap accuracy. That's saying something.

But let's keep it real. SoundGuys saw readings that were off by 15-34 BPM in some tests. So your experience might depend on:

  • How well they fit your ears
  • What kind of workout you're doing
  • Your individual physiology (we're all different)

The Smart Part

If you're wearing both an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3, they actually team up. Apple's software constantly checks which device is getting better readings and switches between them automatically. Pretty slick.

The Bottom Line

These are great for keeping tabs on your heart rate during everyday workouts. But if you're training for a marathon and need clinical-grade accuracy, you might still want a dedicated chest strap for those serious sessions.

For the average person just wanting to see their heart rate during a jog or gym session? The AirPods Pro 3 absolutely get the job done.

Read More

The AirPods Pro 3 can actually work as FDA-cleared hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Let me break down how it all works.

Taking the Hearing Test

You start with Apple's built-in Hearing Test, which takes about five minutes. Before it begins, your iPhone checks that you're somewhere quiet and that your AirPods are fitting properly. Both are important for accurate results.

The test plays tones at different frequencies and volumes, checking each ear separately. It's actually surprisingly comprehensive, covering frequencies from 250 Hz to 8 kHz.

Pro tip: Take the test in a quiet room with freshly cleaned AirPods for the best results.

What Happens Next

Once you've got your results, the hearing aid feature kicks in. The H2 chip uses your personalized profile to boost the specific frequencies you struggle with, making sounds clearer in real-time.

You can tweak a bunch of settings:

  • Overall amplification level
  • Balance between your left and right ear
  • Tone adjustments
  • Conversation Boost (super helpful in noisy restaurants)

The Reality Check

Here's what you should know before getting too excited:

  • This is designed for mild to moderate hearing loss only
  • The amplification is helpful but not super dramatic
  • Wind noise is still an issue
  • Works best indoors in relatively quiet spaces
  • You need an iPhone to set everything up

Who Is This For?

If you've noticed you're asking people to repeat themselves more often or turning up the TV volume, these could be a great entry point. They're way less stigmatized than traditional hearing aids and you're probably already wearing earbuds anyway.

That said, if you have significant hearing loss, you'll still want to see an audiologist for proper medical-grade hearing aids.

Read More

Let's talk battery life, because Apple actually made some interesting choices with the AirPods Pro 3.

The Good News: Longer Listening Sessions

The earbuds themselves got a serious upgrade:

  • With ANC on: Up to 8 hours (was 6 on Pro 2) - that's 33% more
  • Transparency mode: Up to 10 hours (was around 6)
  • Using heart rate: About 6.5 hours (new feature, so no comparison)

Real-world testing backs this up. SoundGuys clocked 8 hours 42 minutes with noise cancellation on. The Pro 2s? Just 5 hours 43 minutes. That's a huge difference if you're wearing these all day at work.

The Trade-Off: Smaller Case Capacity

Here's the thing though - the case actually holds less total charge now. You get about 24 hours total with the case (with ANC), down from 30 hours on the Pro 2.

Why? Probably to keep the case the same size while adding new features. The earbuds themselves are doing more (heart rate sensing, better ANC), so they need more juice per charge.

Does It Actually Matter?

Honestly? Probably not for most people.

Think about it - you're more likely to notice "these last through my entire workday now" than "I can only get 4 full charges instead of 5 before the case dies."

Unless you're going off-grid for a week, the case will keep you topped up just fine.

Quick Charging Still Rocks

Pop them in for just 5 minutes and you get an hour of listening. That's clutch when you forgot to charge overnight.

And you can charge via USB-C, MagSafe, Qi wireless, or even your Apple Watch charger. Lots of options.

Read More

Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 have twice the noise cancellation of the Pro 2 and four times better than the original AirPods Pro. Sounds like marketing hype, right? But the testing actually backs it up.

The Real Numbers

SoundGuys measured an average of 90% noise reduction. That's really impressive for earbuds. We're talking:

  • Office HVAC? Gone.
  • The person next to you on the plane? Basically muted.
  • Bus engine rumble? Way, way quieter.

What Apple Actually Changed

A few things combined to make this happen:

The seal is better - They redesigned the acoustic chamber and added foam to the ear tips. These foam-infused tips actually mold to your ear canal shape, which helps block more sound before the electronics even kick in.

Smarter algorithms - The H2 chip got updates that are better at identifying what sounds to block. It's particularly good at low frequencies now (think engine noise, HVAC hum).

Faster response - The system reacts quicker to sudden loud sounds while still letting through important stuff when you need it.

Where You'll Actually Notice It

Honestly, there are three scenarios where most people will really feel the difference:

  1. Airplane travel - This is where the low-frequency improvements really shine
  2. Open office environments - Bye bye keyboard clacking and side conversations
  3. Commuting - Train and bus noise gets dramatically reduced

One Catch

All of this only works if you get a good seal. The foam tips help a lot, but you might need to try different sizes. Some people still end up going with third-party foam tips for an even better fit.

Is It Worth It?

If you thought the Pro 2's ANC was "pretty good," the Pro 3 takes it to "actually impressive." If you're coming from non-ANC earbuds, prepare to be amazed.

Read More

Technically, yes. But should you? That's a different question.

The AirPods Pro 3 will connect to your Android phone via Bluetooth just fine. You'll get music, noise cancellation, and transparency mode. The sound quality is solid too.

Here's What Actually Works

  • Playing music and podcasts ✅
  • ANC and Transparency Mode ✅
  • Basic tap controls ✅
  • Phone calls ✅

Here's What You're Missing

And it's... a lot:

  • Spatial Audio - Nope
  • Hearing features - All of them gone (hearing test, hearing aid mode, hearing protection)
  • Heart rate tracking - Nope
  • Live Translation - Nope
  • Auto-pairing - You'll be manually connecting every time
  • Find My - If you lose them, good luck
  • Firmware updates - You literally need an iPhone to update them
  • Ear fit test - Can't check if they're sealing properly
  • Customizing controls - Stuck with defaults

That's basically all the headline features from Apple's marketing.

The Pairing Process Is Annoying

Instead of just opening the case and having them appear on your phone (like with iOS), you have to:

  1. Open the case
  2. Double-tap it
  3. Wait for the white light
  4. Dig through Bluetooth settings
  5. Manually connect

Every. Single. Time.

My Honest Take

Look, if you're already deep in the Android world, you're paying $249 for earbuds that work at maybe 40% of their potential.

Better options for Android users:

  • Pixel Buds Pro 2 if you have a Pixel
  • Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you're on Samsung
  • Sony WF-1000XM5 if you want the best overall

These give you the full experience, not a compromised one.

Read More

The AirPods Pro 3 come with five sizes (XXS through L), but most people just keep the pre-installed medium tips and hope for the best. Don't do that. The right fit changes everything.

First, Run Apple's Test

Go to Settings → tap your AirPods → Acoustic Seal Test

It takes 5 seconds and uses the microphones to check for air leaks. But here's the thing - the test isn't perfect. You can "pass" and still not have the ideal fit.

How to Know If You've Got It Wrong

Signs your tips are too small:

  • They slip out when you talk or chew
  • The noise cancellation isn't that impressive
  • Music sounds a bit thin

Signs your tips are too big:

  • Your ears hurt after 30 minutes
  • They feel like they're being pushed out
  • You keep adjusting them

Pro Tip for AirPods Pro 2 Users

The Pro 3 tips have foam inside, making them firmer. A lot of people who used Medium on the Pro 2 end up needing Small on the Pro 3. So don't assume you know your size.

Getting Them In Right

This sounds dumb, but technique matters:

  1. Put them in your ears (obviously)
  2. Twist the stems toward your face a bit
  3. Give them a gentle press

The twist-and-press combo gets a way better seal than just jamming them in.

It's Okay to Mix Sizes

Your ears might be different sizes. Plenty of people use Small in one ear and Medium in the other. No judgment.

If Apple's Tips Just Don't Work

Some people's ears just don't vibe with Apple's tips. Options:

  • Comply Foam ($25) - Super comfy, molds to your ears
  • Dekoni Bulletz ($30) - Maximum noise blocking
  • CharJenPro AirFoams ($20) - Good budget foam option

Worth trying if you're struggling.

Read More

Real talk: the AirPods Pro 2 are still really good. So whether upgrading to AirPods Pro 3 makes sense depends on your specific situation.

What's Actually Better on the Pro 3

Heart rate tracking - If you exercise without an Apple Watch, this is legitimately useful. The accuracy has impressed even skeptical reviewers.

Noise cancellation - Apple says 2x better, and testing backs it up. You'll really notice it on planes and trains.

Battery life - 8 hours vs 6 hours per charge. That extra 2 hours adds up over a workday.

Water resistance - IP57 vs IP54. Translation: you can actually sweat in these without worrying.

Hearing features - If you've been turning up the TV volume or asking people to repeat themselves, these could help.

What's Not Really Better

Sound quality - Honestly, both sound great. You're not going to have an "oh wow" moment switching.

Case battery - It's actually worse. 24 hours vs 30 hours. Not a big deal for most people, but worth knowing.

The Price Reality

  • AirPods Pro 3: $249 (rarely on sale yet)
  • AirPods Pro 2: $170-199 (on sale constantly)

That's a significant difference for features most people won't use daily.

My Decision Framework

Upgrade if...

  • Your Pro 2 battery doesn't hold charge like it used to
  • You work out and don't want to wear a watch
  • You travel a lot and want Live Translation
  • You're noticing hearing changes
  • You have the budget and want the latest

Keep your Pro 2 if...

  • They still work fine
  • You have an Apple Watch for fitness
  • You don't care about hearing features
  • You'd rather save $70-80

The Pro 2 at sale prices is genuinely one of the best earbud values out there. The Pro 3 is better, but not $80 better for everyone.

Read More
Page 1 of 2Next Page
💬 ShopSavvy Answers
Expertly researched answers to specific questions about products you're interested in.
Our team of dedicated researchers sources and verifies information on everything you've been asking about like compatibility, durability, hidden features, and much more, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.
Get ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy is totally free and works on all popular phones and browsers
Download ShopSavvy App

Compare prices for anything in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more

Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension

Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.

🔥 Trending Deals

Loading trending deals...

© 2026 Monolith Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved..