Apple just launched the next iteration of its wireless headphones—the AirPods Pro 3 offering up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods Pro 2.1 Now with heart rate sensing,2 Live Translation,3 longer battery life,4 and advancements in hearing health.5 Redesigned for a more secure fit.4
1Testing conducted by Apple in July 2025 using AirPods Pro 3 paired with iPhone 16 with prerelease AirPods firmware and iOS 26. Noise reduction was tested in accordance with IEC 60268-24. Comparison made against the best-selling wireless in-ear headphones commercially available at the time of testing. Performance depends on device settings, environment, and many other factors.
2Built-in heart rate monitor is intended for use during workouts with the Fitness app and compatible third-party apps on iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Refer to support.apple.com/ for more information.
3Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Supports English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). For more information, see Feature Availability.
4Compared with AirPods Pro 2.
5Supported on AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest OS. The Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features are also supported on Mac running the latest software. See support.apple.com/120850 for total attenuation and more information on the Hearing Protection feature.
Earbuds are a type of headphone that fits inside of your ear.
Pixel Buds, made by Google, are not entirely waterproof, but they do have a water resistance rating. The Pixel Buds 2, for example, have an IPX4 rating, which means they are resistant to splashes of water from any direction. This makes them suitable for use during light rain or while sweating during a workout. However, they are not designed to be submerged in water or exposed to high-pressure water jets. It's essential to avoid using them in heavy rain, swimming, or other situations where they might be submerged in water to prevent damage.
Whether you’re looking for the right headphones or earbuds to enhance the quality of your music or a pair that provides clear, crisp sound as you take important calls, there are a multitude of options that meet your needs and your budget.
The AirPods Pro 3 are revamped in 2025 to offer up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods Pro 2.1 The newest earbuds now come with heart rate sensing,2 Live Translation,3 longer battery life,4 and advancements in hearing health.5 Redesigned for a more secure fit.4
1Testing conducted by Apple in July 2025 using AirPods Pro 3 paired with iPhone 16 with prerelease AirPods firmware and iOS 26. Noise reduction was tested in accordance with IEC 60268-24. Comparison made against the best-selling wireless in-ear headphones commercially available at the time of testing. Performance depends on device settings, environment, and many other factors.
2Built-in heart rate monitor is intended for use during workouts with the Fitness app and compatible third-party apps on iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Refer to support.apple.com/ for more information.
3Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Supports English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). For more information, see Feature Availability.
4Compared with AirPods Pro 2.
5Supported on AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest OS. The Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features are also supported on Mac running the latest software. See support.apple.com/120850 for total attenuation and more information on the Hearing Protection feature.
Headphones and earbuds are often used interchangeably. However, they are two different products. Headphones are meant to go over your head with earcups on each side resting on the outside of your ear, whereas earbuds go directly in your ear canal. The style you choose really boils downs to which style you find the most comfortable.
If you're an audiophile, you’ll want to pick headphones that enhance the quality of the sound of your music. For exercising or playing a sport, you'll want to look into wireless earbuds. Wireless sports earbuds come with an earpiece that goes around your ear to safely secure the headphones while you're active.
There are pros and cons to using wireless and wired headphones. Wired headphones don’t have to be charged. They are plugged directly into your phone ensuring that you have a clear and secure sound connection. Overtime, the wire that connects to your phone can become frayed and damaged, and you’ll need to buy a replacement.
Wireless headphones eliminate the need for a cord to connect your phone. They are connected to your phone using technology such as Bluetooth and NFC. That’s one less wire you’ll have to deal with. However, wireless sound devices require charging before you use them. Because they operate on a battery, you have to make sure your headphones or earbuds are fully-charged or you run the risk of them dying while you’re on a call.
Both wired and wireless headphones have controls that allow you to adjust your volume as well as answer and decline calls.
Don’t forget to pair your new phone with matching earbuds like Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds and Google Pixel Buds.