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Apple released the AirPods Pro 3 in September 2025, and they were an impressive release from the get-go. They debuted with several upgrades over the Pro 2, including in-ear heart rate monitoring, an upgraded ultra-wideband chip for device tracking, and an additional two hours of continuous battery life. They are also the first waterproof AirPods.
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However, I have to admit: the AirPods Pro 2 may still be a better option for you. Now that the AirPods Pro 3 are on the market, the AirPods Pro 2 are often discounted, with prices ranging from $169 to as low as $139 during major sales. Although I’ve been wearing the AirPods Pro 3 since their release, I’ve revisited the AirPods Pro 2, as they were my daily driver for several years.
So, you may wonder if buying them is still a good idea in 2026. The short answer is yes, under specific circumstances, and not just for the sale price. Here’s why.
Apple hasn’t ditched the AirPods Pro 2. Why should you?
A tell-tale sign that a company is phasing out a product is when it becomes incompatible with the latest software updates. However, the AirPods Pro 3 share the same H2 audio chip as the AirPods Pro 2, which is responsible for processing advanced software features. As a result, the two models have many of the same software features. Like the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods Pro 2’s features include Head Gestures, Hearing Aid mode, sleep detection, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, and Adaptive Audio.
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Software-wise, the major difference between the two AirPods is that the Pro 3 have in-ear heart rate monitoring, which natively integrates with your iPhone’s Fitness app. Apple’s H2 chip is also responsible for audio processing, powering the earbuds’ noise-canceling features. Both earbuds have excellent noise cancellation, but the Pro 3’s redesigned earbud shape allows for a tighter in-ear seal, enhancing their noise-canceling abilities.
With the H2 chip powering the AirPods Pro 3, any future software upgrades should also be compatible with the AirPods Pro 2. Additionally, the USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2 were released in 2023, so Apple should offer them a few more years of software longevity.
The standout feature may not be for you
Apple positioned the AirPods Pro 3’s standout feature as their in-ear heart rate sensors, allowing users to forego wrist-worn fitness trackers to log their workouts. However, if you’re committed to your Apple Watch, Fitbit, or Garmin, you may not need your AirPods to replace its heart rate tracking abilities.
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If you fall into that category, it’s not a bad idea to upgrade your older AirPods to the AirPods Pro 2 (when they’re heavily discounted) or hold onto your AirPods Pro 2 if you purchased a USB-C model within the past year and a half.
Why you should upgrade to the AirPods Pro 3
If you’re still rocking with the first-generation AirPods Pro, or the second or third-generation base model AirPods, it might be time for an upgrade. If you want the latest and greatest, consider the AirPods Pro 3; you might find them discounted for $220 during seasonal sales.
ZDNET’s buying advice
I highly recommend AirPods to people with at least one Apple device, especially an iPhone, and even more when they’re $110 off their original price. You can use AirPods with non-Apple devices, too, but the functionality will be limited. Right now, they’re on sale for $139 at Walmart, which is a steal for any earbuds but particularly for Apple’s.
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If the AirPods Pro 3’s upgrades don’t excite you, the AirPods Pro 2 will do just fine. My only regret regarding my AirPods Pro 2 earbuds is that I paid full price for them. Still, even at full price, they are cheaper (and more advanced) than competing wireless earbuds from Sony, Bose, and more. But if you plan to pay the retail price of $250 for AirPods, opt for the AirPods Pro 3.
