The first AirPods Pro appeared in October 2019. The second generation of this series was released in 2022. The first thing the manufacturer emphasized at the presentation of the first-generation AirPods Pro was the presence of active noise cancellation and Transparency mode. These features were not available in the manufacturer’s standard wireless headphones.
Active noise cancellation in 2019 was rarely found among competitors. Its operating principle is based on the accessory’s microphones capturing external noise, generating opposite sound waves, and simultaneously blocking the noise. Simply put, this feature is extremely useful when the user is in a noisy environment such as the city, public transport, the subway, and so on.
Transparency mode was also a relative novelty at that time. Its principle lies in the fact that the user can hear everything happening in the surrounding environment without even removing the headphones.
Each new generation became more advanced. For example, the first generation used the H1 chip, while the second generation already featured the H2 chip. Second-generation headphones offer improved sound quality and increased battery life. New gesture controls were also introduced, namely volume adjustment by swiping up and down.
Notably, in 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized AirPods Pro (2nd generation) as a hearing aid. This decision was based on the introduction of a new hearing aid feature called the Hearing Aid Feature.
In September 2025, the 3rd generation of AirPods Pro was released. The headphones received double-enhanced noise cancellation compared to the predecessor, deeper bass, and even a built-in heart rate sensor. The main highlight is real-time translation. Traveling has now become much easier, as understanding what a local resident is saying no longer requires a translator—just enable the appropriate service.
In addition, the new model received an updated ear tip design: they are now shifted closer to the center of the корпус to ensure a more comfortable and secure fit in the ear. Essentially, they are angled inward. This solution was based on studies of the sensations of more than 10,000 users. The new model also offers a greater number of ear tip sizes—now 5 sizes (including XXS) compared to 3 sizes in the previous generation.
The battery life of AirPods Pro 3 is also impressive compared to its predecessor. You can now listen to music for up to 8 hours even with noise cancellation enabled.