How do the AirPods Pro 3 actually sound on phone calls? Pretty great, honestly - though maybe not a huge leap from the Pro 2 if that's what you're upgrading from.
The Tech Behind It
Apple uses dual beamforming microphones that focus on picking up your voice while the H2 chip works to filter out everything else. When you're on a call, all that background noise - keyboards clacking, people talking nearby, even cars passing - gets substantially reduced. The person you're talking to hears you, not your environment.
Where They Shine
At the office or working from home: These are fantastic. The microphones handle typical indoor environments really well. Air conditioning hum, printer noise, people talking in the background - all of it gets pushed down so your voice stays front and center. Video calls sound professional.
Walking around town: Solid performance here too. Normal street noise doesn't really bother calls. I've taken plenty of calls walking through the city without complaints from the other end.
Where They Struggle
Wind is still the enemy. This is true for pretty much all earbuds, and the AirPods Pro 3 aren't an exception. In gusty conditions, you'll get some crackling and your voice might cut out briefly. If you're outside on a windy day, try to find some shelter or the person you're calling will notice.
Compared to the Pro 2
Here's the thing - if you're specifically upgrading for better call quality, you might be disappointed. Independent tests show the microphone performance is basically identical to the AirPods Pro 2. Apple didn't change the H2 chip, and call quality wasn't a focus of this update. The improvements are elsewhere (ANC, health features, fit).
Pro Tip: Use Voice Isolation
While you're on a call, swipe down to open Control Center and tap the Mic Mode button. Switch to "Voice Isolation" for maximum background noise reduction. It makes a noticeable difference in noisy environments.
The Verdict
Great for calls. Professional-sounding in most situations. Just don't buy them expecting better phone call quality than the Pro 2.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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