Apple's AirPods wireless earbuds: they're white, and they're expensive. But while the former fact may hold true, the latter certainly doesn't: the AirPods 4 have dropped to just £80 at Amazon – a discount of just under £40. That's their lowest ever price.

But the deal won't last long – it expires at midnight tonight. Which gives you just – checks watch – less than 10 hours to buy. Cue the Countdown music, but extended to nearly 300 times as long.

Apple AirPods 4 best ever price

Apple hiked its prices yesterday due to the global RAM shortage – the AirPods 4 may have escaped unscathed, but this is still your last chance to save before they return to their full price.

We haven't reviewed this exact model, but the equivalent with active noise cancellation (ANC) scored four stars. Given that these are identical (bar the lack of ANC and the associated features), we have a good idea of what to expect.

Think a sonic performance that's close to the outgoing AirPods Pro 2. In our review we concluded that the AirPods 4 with ANC's "snappy, agile and clean performance is easy to enjoy at this mid-range level."

They're very well put together (as you would expect from an Apple product) and a dream to use with an iOS device (ditto). About the only disappointment is the battery life: five hours from the buds alone, and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. Ho-hum.

Still, at this price (£80 at Amazon) you can hardly complain.

And if you do want ANC, the AirPods 4 with ANC are also on sale – they're just £125 at Amazon, but again, the deal ends tonight. Decisions, decisions.

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Apple has announced iOS 27 during its WWDC26 keynote, and it comes with a major upgrade for AirPods users.

The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system comes with a revamped interface for AirPods, with a more customisable EQ interface that will allow for greater sound customisation.

Apple briefly showed the new user interface screen during its presentation; included were "recommended" and "custom" options. Below is where you'll find a graph-style interface, which allows users to specifically tweak low, mid and high frequencies.

Apple has also included a note that reads: "AirPods are designed and engineered by Apple to faithfully represent music, TV shows, movies, and calls. If you prefer a different sound profile, you can customise how AirPods represent any audio played."

This signals to us that these EQs will be applied to anything played through your AirPods. Previously, Apple has offered custom EQ options through Apple Music, but these only apply to music played through the service.

Furthermore, Apple has buried a very small selection of pre-set EQ profiles within the accessibility section of the Settings app since iOS 14; but they're more rigid, pre-defined options, including "balanced tone", "vocal range", and "brightness".

While we'll need to wait until iOS 27 launches later this year, it will be interesting to see if this software update will make the five-star AirPods Pro 3 even better, or even improve the four-star AirPods Max 2.

iOS 27 is coming to all iPhones from the iPhone 11 onwards, including the Award-winning iPhone 17.

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Apple’s AirPods with built-in cameras have hit a major milestone, according to a new report.

The prototypes now “feature a near-final design and capabilities” according to Bloomberg. So they could launch very soon.

And what capabilities they might have! Each earbud is said to feature a camera, though sadly these won’t be used for any audio-related features. Instead, they are said to serve as AI assistant Siri’s eyes, similar to the Visual Intelligence feature on an iPhone.

So you could look at a series of ingredients and ask Siri to suggest a recipe. Or the earbuds could ‘see’ nearby landmarks to provide more accurate turn-by-turn directions.

Presumably the cameras would be forwards-facing. Otherwise they might be quite awkward to use.

Apparently these AirPods will have longer stems in order to accommodate the cameras. Otherwise they should look the same as current models such as the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple was reportedly hoping to launch the new AirPods in the first half of this year, but that has slipped due to delays to its next-gen Siri. This model has been in development for four years.

Adding cameras is an exciting development, and a major change to the AirPods and wireless earbuds in general. Hopefully Apple can find a way to use the technology to improve sound quality – maybe by detecting your surroundings and adjusting the active noise cancellation appropriately.

What features would you like to see from the next AirPods? Let us know in the comments.

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My AirPods hurt my ears, until this simple change fixed everything – and it's not adding a camera

1976 was a big year for music. Joy Division formed after seeing the Sex Pistols play at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall; Phil Collins took over vocal duties in Genesis after the departure of Peter Gabriel; and the Eagles released Hotel California.

But it was the formation of Apple in the north of said state that might just have had the biggest impact of the lot.

Its founders, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, originally called it Apple Computer Company (amended slightly to simply Apple Computer, Inc a year later) and for the first 25 years of its existence in Cupertino, California, that name was more than suitable.

The company’s focus was on PC alternatives such as the Macintosh, iMac and Powerbook, but in October 2001 Apple revealed a product that would change everything: the iPod.

The thin white jukebox

The launch of the iPod didn’t just turn Apple into a household name, it started a process that would eventually touch almost every part of the way we listen to music.

Portable music was nothing new – the Sony Walkman had been around for more than 20 years by this point – and the iPod wasn’t even the first digital music player.

But Apple rarely innovates in that way, preferring to let others test the water and then swoop in with a more finessed version of a product that appeals to the masses rather than just early adopters.

And appeal to the masses is exactly what the iPod did, selling around 70 million units worldwide in the first five years after its introduction.

Unlike its main early rival, Creative's DAP Jukebox, the iPod was genuinely pocketable, and the wheel-based navigation made scrolling through the 1000-odd songs that its 5GB hard drive could hold an absolute joy.

The What Hi-Fi? review in the February 2002 issue of the magazine called it: “A delightful, simple device that looks and sounds the business.”

Tech companies such as Griffin and Logitech soon saw a gap in the market and began to produce small speaker systems that allowed iPod owners to 'dock' their thin white jukeboxes, but they were invariably cheap and plasticky with sonic performance to match.

Apple introduced their own version in 2006, but the iPod Hi-Fi was only hi-fi in name.

The What Hi-Fi? three-star review couldn’t fault how loud it went, but its uninspiring design and lack of detail, pace and refinement meant that Steve Jobs’ declaration that he was replacing his stereo with one seemed disingenuous at best, particularly considering he claimed to be an audiophile.

Fortunately, genuine audiophiles didn’t have to wait long before something more worthy of the tag came along. Bowers & Wilkins introduced the Zeppelin in 2007, when premium-priced iPod docks were practically unheard of, and while it wasn’t perfect it proved that Apple’s portable music player had a place in home hi-fi setups.

In iTune and on time

It wasn’t just the iPod’s hardware that would be influential. A couple of years before its debut, Napster had arrived on the scene and sent the music industry into disarray by allowing people to share songs online for free.

Record labels struggled to cope with the sudden drop-off in CD sales, but Apple was already working on a solution. It launched the iTunes Store in January 2001 and suddenly gave music lovers a way to download tunes without breaking the law.

As well as legitimising digital downloads, the iTunes Store helped to change how people listened to music. People could now buy individual tracks even if they hadn’t been released as singles and gradually the importance of the album started to diminish.

As people filled their hard drives with collections of digital files they began to look for ways to play them that didn’t involve the tinny little speakers that came with their computers.

2003 saw the release of Roku’s SoundBridge streamers, which could be used to play digital music from an iTunes library through a connected hi-fi system, and in 2004 Apple introduced AirTunes – a precursor to AirPlay that allowed streaming over a Wi-Fi network.

It didn’t take too long for ‘proper’ hi-fi brands to get involved either. Linn and Naim were relatively quick to board the bandwagon, with the former’s Klimax DS arriving in 2007 and the latter’s Uniti, which combined streaming skills with a high-end CD player and amp, winning our System Product of the Year award in 2009.

With the arrival of the iPhone in 2007, and the launch of Spotify a year later, the era of music streaming had well and truly begun.

Today, it's rare to find an audio product that can’t stream, hence the popularity of products like the WiiM Ultra, Cambridge Audio MXN10 and Naim Uniti Atom, and it explains why NAD launched a version of its NAD C 3050 amplifier with an optional MDC2 BluOS-D module.

Despite the enduring appeal of CD and vinyl for some of us, it's clear that streaming music won over the masses and for most people downloads, let alone discs, are a distant memory. And once again, it's easy to trace this shift back to Apple.

RIP headphone ports

Those 19 years since the launch of the iPhone have been transformative from a technology point of view, but design-wise things have become rather homogenised – and to some extent that’s Apple’s fault.

The company’s influence can be seen almost everywhere. Its less-is-more approach has been adopted by countless other brands; Mac-like brushed metal finishes have been de rigueur for years; and slick touchscreen navigation is often preferred to physical controls (although with smartphone apps now often the main method of interaction, those days are probably numbered).

It’s all part of a shift towards products that people want to have on display rather than tucked away out of sight, which can probably be traced back to the original translucent iMac in 1998 – an all-in-one computer that was a genuine object of desire rather than something purely functional.

Back then most headphones you could buy were black, but during the development of the iPod Apple decided to make the buds that came in the box white to match. It was a stroke of marketing genius (albeit one that was largely accidental) that created a new status symbol almost overnight and made the type of headphones you wear a fashion statement.

Other brands suddenly started adding white headphones to their ranges so that even those who didn’t own Apple products could feel part of the crowd. In fact, there’s a strong case to be made that the headphone industry wouldn’t be as massive as it is right now without that simple decision to invert the colour.

Not all of Apple’s decisions regarding headphones have been quite so well received, but while its removal of the 3.5mm port from the iPhone 7 annoyed a lot of people at the time, it seems pretty prescient 10 years later.

Wired headphones are now largely reserved for serious home listening (and influencers), and Apple’s own AirPods wireless earbuds, which it launched at the same time as the iPhone 7, are everywhere.

Of course, for sonic purists many of these developments are not seen as improvements because they often come at the expense of sound quality, or are seen in some way to dilute the fundamentals of the hi-fi hobby.

Apple’s next move is unlikely to change that, particularly if it turns out to be a new screen-toting version of the HomePod, but there’s no denying that its influence has made hi-fi and audio products more accessible, more user-friendly, and more fashionable. Not bad for a computer company.

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Six years is more than a lifetime in the fast-paced, ruthless wireless headphones market. Ever since the original AirPods Max over-ear headphones opened the floodgates to a new realm of very premium wireless headphones, we’ve had similarly (and often more) pricey models from hi-fi brands Bowers & Wilkins, Dali, Focal and T+A, while Bose, Sony and Sennheiser have upped their prices and raised standards with every generation.

Six years on, and we finally have the AirPods Max 2. This second-generation model features Apple’s latest H2 chip, promising improvements to sound quality, ANC and plenty of new features. But many elements – the design, the case, the battery life, even the price – remain the same. Is it enough for Apple’s luxury wireless headphones to keep up with the competition?

Price

There’s some good news: the Apple AirPods Max 2 are yours for £499 / $549 / AU$999 – the very same price the originals have been for the past few years.

In the UK, the original Lightning connector-equipped model from 2020 cost £549, but that price dropped to £499 when the AirPods Max with USB-C connector was launched in 2024, along with a new suite of colours that are also repeated for the Max 2. Conversely, the price has gone up in Australia (originally it launched at AU$899) where there has been no change in price for US customers.

That’s quite a nice place for the AirPods Max 2 to be, although it’s still a fair bit pricier than the trio of ‘mainstream’ class leaders in this market. Sony’s excellent all-rounder WH-1000XM6 launched at £400 / $450 / AU$699, the superb-sounding Sennheiser HDB 630 are yours for £400 / $500 / AU$1000, while you can get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 for around £450 / $449 / AU$700.

There are pricier models than the Max 2 from the more niche hi-fi crowd that prioritise sound quality, including the Focal Bathys (£699 / $799 / AU$1199), the Dali iO-8 (£499 / $900 / AU$999), and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 (£629 / $799 / AU$1299). Apple isn’t short of competition in this field it helped create, essentially.

Build, design & comfort

If you’ll be shelling out £500 / $500 for these Apple headphones, you certainly won’t be disappointed in the slightest in terms of build quality.

The AirPods Max 2 look and feel as premium as they did in 2020. The anodised aluminium earcups, the stainless steel headband and memory foam earcups all exude a high level of luxury. The hinges, telescopic arms and buttons are all beautifully made and finished to precision.

The knitted mesh “canopy” for the headband helps to distribute weight evenly across the head. The clamping pressure is nicely judged, too, with the earcups pivoting just enough to fit snugly around our ears. Although, we wish we could adjust the headband to go even smaller to accommodate a greater variety of head shapes.

That ‘digital crown’ dial on the right earcup for controlling music playback and volume remains a delight to use, with volume adjustments made with subtlety. Another button handles the noise-cancelling modes, while a USB-C port takes care of charging and wired lossless playback.

The memory foam ear cushions are roomy and comfortable, with a mesh textile cover that keeps things breathable and prevents overheating over long listening sessions. You can snap off the ear cushions and replace them (for £75 / $69 / AU$99) if they get worn or dirty over time.

Those large earcups do lend the AirPods Max 2 their recognisable silhouette, and we can understand why Apple didn’t want to change the design formula. Yes, it’s the exact same design as before, with the exact same dimensions and weight. And at 386g, these headphones are quite heavy.

The weight of those large metal earcups can press on your ears before long, and while they’re never uncomfortable on the head, taking them off feels like a relief to your ears. Those with smaller heads on our review team also kept having to nudge the headphones up so the earcups were centred on their ears, too.

The use of metal in the construction adds to their luxurious, premium feel, but it also means they can be a little cumbersome and less portable. While Sony and Sennheiser rivals may look less impressive due to their use of lighter plastic material, they are demonstrably more comfortable to wear over time, and are more portable too. The Sony and Bose headphones fold up like a ball, which is useful when carrying them around in your bag.

The Max 2 don’t fold at all, and yes, that silly case is back. Considering it received near-unanimous derision for its design and doesn’t even cover the headphones fully (which don’t have an official IP rating, so be careful of exposing them to dust, sweat and water), it’s surprising that Apple hasn’t tried to address this design in any way.

You can get third-party cases that cover the headphones fully, but note that those don’t have the one useful feature of the official Apple case: placing the Max 2 in the case puts them in an ultra-low standby mode that preserves the battery.

This is required as you can’t actually turn the AirPods Max 2 off anywhere on the headphones themselves (yes, another silly oversight), so you can’t chuck the case into a cupboard and ignore it forever.

Features

The big news with the AirPods Max 2 is that they are upgraded with Apple’s H2 chip, which brings with it a whole bunch of features and improvements. This H2 chip was first introduced in the AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds in 2022, and has evolved since to provide many advanced, useful features we’ve encountered in the Pro 2 and latest five-star Pro 3 buds.

New features include Conversation Awareness (which automatically detects when you’re speaking to lower the volume of your music for a brief chat), Adaptive Audio (which adjusts noise-cancelling levels depending on your surroundings), next-gen Adaptive EQ (which optimises the sound to your head/ear shape and fit), personalised volume, and new Siri gesture controls (shake or nod your head to reject or accept a call). You also get the new live translation feature, which requires an iPhone 16 or newer with Apple Intelligence running on the latest iOS software.

All these features are iOS-only – no surprises there. Pairing the Max 2 with our iPhone and MacBook is smooth and seamless, as is using all the controls, features and switching between devices. Your feature set is limited to the basics when using an Android smartphone, but the pairing and responsiveness are still swift and easy.

Spatial audio with dynamic headtracking support returns and the effect, provided you’re listening to tracks that are mixed with care for spatial audio, is pretty convincing. As before, it also delivers an immersive sound when listening to 5.1/7.1 Dolby Atmos soundtracks via the Apple TV 4K streamer.

There is one major disappointment: battery life. At 20 hours, it’s not terrible, but it is lagging behind the competition now. Sony and Bose offer 30 hours with their current flagships, while Sennheiser HDB 630 doubles that at 60 hours (with ANC on). Just 20 hours in today’s demanding headphones landscape feels paltry, especially if you forget to shove the AirPods Max 2 into the case to stop it from depleting, as we often do.

Granted, all the new features do draw on more power, although Apple says the H2 chip is very efficient to make the most of the existing battery capacity. However, we wish that Apple had found a way to add a larger capacity battery in the sequel. A fast charge of five minutes does give you 1.5 hours of playtime, though, which is useful.

Bluetooth 5.3 is on board here, and as with all AirPods and iPhones, there is no hi-res codec support, with Apple opting to stick with the standard AAC and SBC codecs. It’s a bit of a shame as rivals now offer LDAC (Sony) or include a USB dongle (Sennheiser) to grant 24-bit aptX streams, even from an iPhone.

To get higher quality sound on AirPods Max 2, you’ll have to go wired. A USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box, which you can plug into your MacBook or iPhone (or other compatible device) to play media in lossless quality up to 24-bit/48kHz. The sonic character remains the same when using USB-C, but you get a much cleaner, less noisy background, giving music more depth and stability compared with listening via Bluetooth.

Also, you’ll have to make sure the headphones have enough juice and are powered up, as wired mode won’t work if the battery is dead. For plugging in other audio devices, you’ll have to buy a 3.5mm to USB-C audio cable separately (Apple sells one officially for £39 / $39 / AU$65).

ANC & call quality

The original AirPods Max’s active noise cancelling abilities were pretty stellar, so have they improved any further with the sequel? Apple says the Max 2’s ANC is 1.5 times more effective than their predecessors, thanks to a combination of new computational audio algorithms and the more powerful H2 chip, while the eight-mic arrangement remains the same.

They’re certainly better than the first-gen Max at reducing noise across the frequency range, with noises such as the kitchen exhaust fan, running water and people talking around you reduced to a soft murmur.

We took a trip on the noisy London Underground and the AirPods Max 2, on full ANC mode, does a fine job of damping down the loud rumbles and screeches so they don’t intrude upon the music. The noise-cancelling effect is also quite natural and airy, and you’re never much aware of the processing going on each second.

They do occasionally let some midrange sounds through, such as the rush of air and the top end of screeching rails in the tunnels. Rivals such as Sony XM6 deliver an even more powerful effect throughout the frequency range, smoothing down those lower rumbles and midrange noises in particular until they are silky silent.

Overall, the Max 2 do a decent job at keeping environmental noise dimmed down, although if greater silence is a priority, we’d still point you towards the Bose or Sony flagships.

The Adaptive Audio and Transparency modes work well, too, offering a natural effect in both cases. We like that loud noise reduction is employed in these modes to keep sudden noisy spikes in check, while the subtle and dynamic way Adaptive Audio adapts to our surroundings, so we can remain aware of traffic while still fully enjoying the music, is excellent.

Sound

The AirPods Max 2 feature the same custom 40mm drivers in each cup as before, but are powered by a new high dynamic range amplifier – the very same one used in the AirPods Pro 3, in fact. Apple has also revised the DSP and updated the Adaptive EQ thanks to the greater bandwidth of the H2 chip.

Altogether, the new pair delivers that same, familiar sonic signature of the original Max headphones, while pushing things forward in terms of detail, precision, dynamics and weight – although in small increments. The Max 2 headphones have an admirably smooth balance, one that is very easy to listen to. There’s a dash more punch to the sound and the edges of notes are etched out with a little more precision, and they sound a bit more open compared with the first-gen models.

Voices are a strong point, with Laura Marling’s lilting vocals on Hope In The Air sounding immediate and nuanced, and there is a good amount of brooding menace to Ice T’s Addicted To Danger. Voices shine through when listening to podcasts as well, with ample detail to flesh out different personalities.

Apple does a fine job of balancing agile rhythms, sweeping dynamics and refined detail in a way that no element sticks out unduly. We do find that the top end is rolled off a touch here.

On the positive side, this lends itself well to the AirPods Max 2’s full-bodied and easy-to-listen-to presentation; on the other hand, it means that some of the crispness and bite to songs are softened, and lose a bit of impact overall. The brash, exciting dynamic upheavals in Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster sound a little restrained when we’d have liked to hear more attitude and attack.

That full-bodied tone does have its advantages when listening to the muscular, heavy riffs of Slipknot’s Duality, while that slam of deep, sudden bass that hits in The Dark Knight soundtrack’s Why So Serious after a tense build sounds very satisfying.

The sound isn’t a million miles away from the original Max’s character; we find that the gains in sound quality aren’t night and day. We wish Apple had pushed the boat out even further to make the differences between the two generations more substantial. We would also advise that the Max 2 need a fair few hours of running in to loosen up the dynamics, as they sound just a little constricted when fresh out of the box.

In comparison, the latest efforts from Sony and Sennheiser have made far greater strides in delivering more accurate, precise and more engaging sound quality in the intervening years. Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are able to knit music together in a more rhythmically cohesive way, with clearer, crisper detail and greater subtlety to dynamics.

The five-star Sennheiser HDB 630 may sound a little more analytical, but they are more adept at unveiling greater textures to instruments, with voices and rhythms sounding that bit more natural and authentic.

Considering these rivals are less costly than the AirPods Max 2 as well, we wish Apple had made a bigger step forward in the second-generation model’s sound improvements.

Verdict

The AirPods Max 2 are as luxuriously designed as they were the first time around, and we imagine that smooth, balanced sound and intuitive experience will appeal to many, especially Apple die-hards with deep pockets.

The addition of those H2-enabled features is undoubtedly useful, but we wish Apple had addressed some of the more practical design concerns to make the headphones more portable and comfortable, as well as given the class leaders something to really worry about in terms of sound quality.

Let’s hope the next generation is a more revolutionary update – and that we won’t have to wait as long for it.

Review published: 31st March 2026

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 5
• Features 4

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“The chip by itself is not really the story. The H2 from a few years ago is not the H2 that we’re introducing into the AirPods Max 2 today, because it’s been enhanced with so much embedded firmware that has really enabled this growth of features across the years.”

Tim Millet, Vice President of Platform Architecture at Apple, is explaining how the brand's most powerful H2 silicon chip has been "purpose-built for audio application", and has evolved over the years, along with the challenges of implementing it into an over-ear design.

First introduced in 2022 with the AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds, the H2 chip is now available for the first time in the new AirPods Max 2 over-ears. It's been the main focus of the second-generation model, as with that new chip comes plenty of advanced features such as Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and updated Adaptive EQ, as well as improvements to ANC and, of course, sound quality.

I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 since their respective launches, and am familiar with many of these features – it seems almost strange that Apple's premium over-ears haven't had half of them until now. That they're finally available on the Max 2 is welcome news, especially to iOS fans.

But is it a simple matter of adding the same chip to the new headphones and calling it a day, or is there more going on beneath the surface to tailor the experience to the over-ear AirPods?

H2 chip: a constant evolution

The H2 also powers so many of the AirPods Max 2's features and performance; but these new additions and sound/ANC improvements aren't done in isolation.

As I speak to Tim Millet and Eric Treski, Apple's director of Audio Product Marketing, they both confirm that the various teams involved – the acoustic team, the hardware engineering, product engineering, software engineering, firmware teams – all work together, continually communicating to create and develop what they want to achieve in every headphone product.

That's possible thanks to the silicon base, which Millet says has "evolved and grown" from the first time we encountered it four years ago in the Pro 2.

"When we were imagining H2 many years ago," says Millet, "we appreciated that the team was going to be focused on this range of products, not just one product." And so the aim was to offer the acoustic team a rich platform that was extensible – one where new capabilities and functions could be added over the years.

"We really go down to the fundamentals," says Millet. "We go and sit down with the acoustic engineers and with our firmware engineers – the folks who live and breathe audio – and we try to figure out what are the essential tools [they] need to be able to deliver not only the short term version of what maybe your initial feature set might be, but how do we build an extensible platform on which you can build over time?"

Apple doesn't use off-the-shelf components or chips. The H2 chip is unique to Apple and custom-built for its products, with energy efficiency and the lowest possible latency being a big part of its architecture to offer a seamless experience.

On top of that, Treski says that in the AirPods, "the amplifiers, the drivers, the whole architecture system – all of that is custom-made. They're not taken off the shelf and pieced together – everything is purpose-built".

That's a very privileged position to be in compared with most of its rivals, meaning that Apple has full control and visibility over every element of its audio products, without having to rely on third-party suppliers.

Adapting H2 features from in-ears to over-ears design

In the AirPods Max 2, the H2 chip has allowed the brand's engineers the opportunity to tweak its existing features, and bring new ones in too. The 40mm custom drivers return, but powering them is a new high dynamic amplifier – the very same amplifier, Treski tells me, as the one used in the AirPods Pro 3.

Alongside that, the additional bandwidth of the H2 chip allowed Apple to deliver "next-generation" Adaptive EQ.

Adaptive EQ might be the secret, silent ingredient of AirPods. This always-on feature uses the inward-facing microphone to constantly adjust the frequency in real time (48,000 times a second, in fact) to optimise the sound to the wearer's ear shape and fit of the headphones/earbuds at all times.

We've experienced Adaptive EQ in the in-ear designs of the Pro 2 and Pro 3 buds before, so surely it's a matter of simply sticking the same feature onto the over-ears? Not quite.

Treski explains that in an in-ear product, that inward mic crucial for Adaptive ANC is much more directed into your ear canal and towards your eardrum, whereas on the over-ear Max 2, that mic sits much further out of your ear. The mic is situated in the centre of the earcups (in the Max 2), so even though it is pointed right at your ear, it's much further away.

“So there are advantages to having bigger headphones and bigger drivers and such, but at the same time, it’s really tricky for the algorithms to get Adaptive EQ to work very, very well with a mic that’s sitting so much further away," he says. “So that took a lot of effort and work in a different way than it would with an in-ear product.”

It's one of the many examples of where the advanced features made possible thanks to the H2 chip – but so far only experienced on in-ear models – have been tailored to the over-ear performance.

“Getting these many familiar features to function in this new form factor requires a level of specialisation across all the algorithms and firmware," says Millet. "So yes, it is the same piece of silicon, but really, by itself, it's nothing without adding on all the layering of audio expertise that was put into the algorithms."

ANC improvements had a surprise inspiration

Active noise cancellation and Adaptive Audio were other areas that had their challenges.

The AirPods Max 2 claim to offer 1.5 times more ANC than their predecessor (a number measured "across an average of all frequencies," says Treski) and that was made possible by the additional computational algorithms made available inside the H2 chip.

What's more, Treski says a lot of the learnings for improving ANC in the Max 2 came from a surprising place: the AirPods 4 with ANC.

"That product was insanely challenging to do, to get ANC that good in a product that doesn't have ear tips. And that was a massive undertaking and challenge for our acoustic engineering team... So all those learnings essentially contributed to AirPods Pro 3, and then applying that into AirPods Max as well."

One of my favourite AirPods Pro features in recent years has been Adaptive Audio, which adjusts the level of ANC according to your surroundings without compromising the sound quality of what you're listening to.

I've found the effect to be so natural that it's almost invisible in use – the shifts in noise modes are so subtly done that you can't hear or feel the seams, and it works a treat in daily use. That experience is repeated with the Max 2, where you're able to stay aware of your surroundings – on your commute, for instance – while still being able to enjoy the music being played.

“Being able to do that from a technical capability is more or less pretty straightforward," says Treski. "What's challenging to do, is to do that in a way that's enjoyable. What’s interesting about that is, even though the tuning and how you do it between the in-ear product and over-ear product is the same, what's so difficult about that is making sure that it's actually a good experience. Because we need to ensure that we're doing it in a way that's not annoying, and in a way that you would like."

There are rivals from Sony, Bose, Technics, Sennheiser and more that feature various different noise modes, especially Transparency or adaptive modes, but in my experience, none of them sounds quite as natural in their implementation as AirPods do.

While rivals might outdo the 'Pods in some areas, such as outright sound and ANC, the way Apple balances its sonic signature and deploys its noise modes so naturally is quite remarkable.

To me, it never sounds artificial or like it's working too hard – which is an accomplishment in its own right. It's gratifying to hear that, alongside the technical aspects, 'enjoyment' is high on Apple's list of priorities for headphones.

"A very balanced sound signature"

And what about sound quality? Apple has a stellar record in recent years of maintaining a similar sonic balance across its products, from the AirPods 4 with ANC to the AirPods Pro 3 buds, and even the AirPods Max over-ears.

“Ultimately, the goal is to find a very balanced sound signature that has very clear separation of frequencies, that’s enjoyable to listen to for all different types of media and (by) all different types of people,” says Treski.

Millet reinforces this statement by saying that his team's job is to create a flexible, programmable and adaptable platform that allows the acoustic and product teams to maintain that familial audio quality across the AirPods product range, and meet the big challenges across different form factors.

"I think Apple's silicon story is a really great secret weapon for us," says Millet.

"But there's no cheating on sound quality. You can’t stick a DSP in and go short on some other thing. It really does require careful engineering across the entire platform.”

Do the long-awaited second-generation Apple over-ear headphones live up to the hype? Read our AirPods Max 2 review to find out.

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Check out our five-star AirPods Pro 3 review

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: what are the differences?

Best wireless headphones 2026: reviewed and rated by our in-house experts

Well, the day finally came. After months of speculation, rumours and mutterings on the grapevine, the Apple AirPods Max 2 wireless over-ears have officially landed, and they've got quite the shoes to fill.

The AirPods Max 2 headphones are one of the most anticipated sequels of recent memory – with the original launching in 2020, six years is more than a lifetime in this fast-moving market.

They've promised a whole raft of improvements to sound and ANC performance, plus fresh features, thanks to the inclusion of Apple's latest H2 chip.

Excitement abounds, but for all that excitement, it's hard not to also be a little disappointed at the hoped for changes that haven't materialised.

Apple describes the AirPods Max 2 as delivering "the ultimate over-ear listening experience" – those teased improvements will likely move things forward, but has the tech giant left a few blind spots which could hinder the success of its flagship wireless cans?

Excited: potentially better sound

This is, of course, the most important question to ask of the AirPods Max 2: how will they sound?

Not only do the Max 2 have to sound superior to their five-star predecessors, they also need to head off competition from the premium over-ears which have raised the sonic bar in the years since the original AirPods Max launched in 2020.

At this premium level, that includes the slightly cheaper Sony WH-1000XM6 (currently £329 / $400 / AU$699), the Dali IO-8 (currently £499 / $500 / AU$1000), and the benchmark-setting Sennheiser HDB 630 (£400 / $500 / AU$1000).

This means that the AirPods Max 2 seriously have their work cut out for them, and while the advanced H2 chip, the custom 40mm drivers and new high dynamic amplifier are promising a step-up in sound quality, it may not be enough.

Much as we like the clear, pristine and natural sound of the original over-ears, Apple must raise its game significantly if it's going to keep up with the competition that has moved on a lot in the last six years.

Don't believe us? Just take the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as a case in point. The second-gen over-ears are better than their predecessors in every sonic sense, yet they missed out on a fifth star for sound for failing to keep up with flagship rivals from the likes of Sony, Dali and Sennheiser.

Apple has the resources and know-how to keep up, but it can't let complacency win the day. The much-anticipated Max 2 now house a new high dynamic range amplifier in pursuit of clearer, cleaner audio, while updated DSP and Adaptive EQ aims to improve sound quality even further.

We're testing the Max 2 very soon, so let's hope we hear significant improvement here.

Disappointed: same battery life as before

This feels like a bit of a shame. Apple's second-gen over-ears promise up to 20 hours of listening time from a single charge with noise cancelling on, which is identical to the figures boasted by the older model.

That's not a terrible number, but the original AirPods Max's battery life was never truly outstanding, and it's certainly an area we'd love to have seen improved – especially when rivals such as the Sony WH-1000XM6 (30 hours) and Sennheiser HDB 630 (60 hours) offer more hours.

While the more advanced H2 chip is more power-hungry, it still feels like a wasted opportunity that Apple decided to forego any bump in battery life.

Excited: improved noise cancelling

This could be a real ace up the Max 2's sleeve.

Active noise-cancellation has reportedly been given a significant boost thanks to the implementation of the H2 chip and revised audio algorithms, with Apple teasing ANC performance that’s "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation".

Transparency mode, too, is claimed to sound more natural thanks to a newly optimised digital signal processing algorithm. Considering how good the transparency mode of the original Max was, it will be interesting to see how Apple plans to top that benchmark this time around.

There are also new Apple features on the menu to make noise cancelling the best it's ever been. Adaptive Audio, for instance, automatically adjusts levels of noise cancelling in response to environmental noise, something we've seen used to great effect on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds.

The ANC of the outgoing AirPods Max was excellent, offering a natural yet highly effective experience in shutting out the outside world. Refining this performance and taking it to new heights could see the Max 2 take the fight to their noise-cancelling rivals from Sony and Bose.

Disappointed: that ridiculous case is back

Oh, that darned case. They just couldn't help themselves, could they?

We might be wrong, but we can't imagine that there was a huge clamour among even the most dedicated of Apple acolytes to see the return of the headphones' frankly ridiculous 'holster-style' carry case.

To quote from our original review: "Not only does it look daft, it doesn’t perform even the most basic function of a typical case, which is protecting the product contained within from knocks, scratches and dirt. The case doesn’t cover the headband or the tops or bottoms of the cups, so is only vaguely more protective than simply shoving them naked into your bag." That just about sums up our misgivings.

Apple has not heeded those warnings, and so the holster returns for the sequel, so we'd advise getting a third-party case if you want to keep your new headphones safe and sound. Just be aware that the official carry case does put your AirPods Max into a handy ultra-low-power mode that will preserve that battery life, something which you won't get from third-party providers.

It's also sad to note that the AirPods Max 2 don't fold away, either. Even Sony bowed to this customer demand and made its WH-1000XM6 foldable, which makes them more convenient for portable use, commutes and simply carrying them in your bag. Considering the AirPods Max 2 are fairly heavy premium designs, this would've been a nice update. But alas, no dice.

Excited: new and improved H2 features

The implementation of the H2 chip (an update from the original model's dated H1 chip) unlocks Apple's most up-to-date raft of features, many of which we've already experienced in the brand's recent AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC and Pro 3 earbuds.

These include Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts levels of noise cancelling in response to surrounding noise, and Apple's 'Live Translation' feature, which will transcribe conversations in real time for iOS users. We've already seen these features in the five-star AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, and are big fans of how adaptive audio adjusts our ANC experience effectively on the fly.

Other useful features have also transferred across from the newer generations of AirPods, including 'Conversation Mode', which automatically pauses your music when you start speaking or take your headphones off.

Voice calls should be better, too, as the new voice isolation tech promises to emphasise human speech while more effectively blocking out ambient noise during phone or video calls.

Apple also promises that Spatial Audio content will sound better than ever, with "improved localisation of instruments, more accurate bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs".

We found the spatial audio capacities of the outgoing AirPods Max cans to be superb in creating a virtual surround experience from 5.1, 7.1 and even Dolby Atmos content, so the idea of this already-excellent feature getting a boost has us desperate to give it a go. Movie night, anyone?

While we have a few misgivings, it's hard not to be excited about the arrival of the AirPods Max 2.

In the last few years, Apple has done a fine job in meeting expectations as overall standards of performance continue to rise, especially across its wireless earbuds.

Can the brand repeat that success in the over-ear category? The performance of premium rivals has improved significantly since the original AirPods Max were released, so the AirPods Max 2 certainly have their work cut out.

Still, the integration of that H2 chip, the updated acoustics and a premium design all point to a potentially impressive upgrade for the AirPods Max 2. Stay tuned for our full review next week to find out how they fare.

MORE:

Read our original Apple AirPods Max review

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: what are the differences?

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: which of Apple's noise-cancelling earbuds will suit you best?

How do active noise-cancelling headphones work? Are they worth it?

Out of nowhere, Apple has announced a new pair of AirPods Max headphones. The original pair launched at the end of 2020, followed by a minor refresh in 2024. And then in March 2026, with no warning whatsoever, Apple announced a new flagship.

While the 2024 refresh switched the connector port from Lightning to USB-C, very little else changed. The AirPods Max 2, however, promise new features, more effective ANC and enhanced sound quality.

Let's see what's actually new.

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: price

The original AirPods Max launched at £549 / $549 / AU$899, which at the time was an unprecedented price for a pair of wireless consumer headphones (though similarly-priced rivals soon emerged). The 2024 refresh dropped the UK price to £499, while the US and Australian price tags remained unchanged.

The AirPods Max 2 cost the same in the UK and US, though the price has risen by AU$100 in Australia. You'll pay £499 / $549 / AU$999 for the sequel.

Coupled with the higher chance of a discount now that they're being replaced, this round just goes to the original AirPods Max.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Max **

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: build & comfort

The original AirPods Max set new standards in terms of luxurious materials and comfort levels, but Apple is curiously quiet on the build of the second-gen model. Apart from bigging up the product's environmental credentials (they're made with "100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets," for example), it doesn't say anything about the comfort or fit. So it's safe to assume it's stuck with the same design as the original Max.

That's no bad thing, as the originals excel in this area, making rival pairs feel cheap in comparison. They boast single-piece anodised aluminium ear cups connected by a stainless-steel headband with a breathable mesh canopy. The memory foam ear cushions prove comfortable while also sealing you off from outside sounds.

The AirPods Max 2 weigh the same 386.2g as the first-gen pair. That's pretty heavy, but thanks to some very clever weight distribution, the headphones never weigh you down.

They offer the same winning digital crown control method as the original pair, but they also have the same much-derided Smart Case – on the plus side, it keeps them in an ultra-low-power mode to preserve battery, but on the other hand, it looks like a bra. And it won't protect vast areas of them if dropped.

In summary, very little has changed in terms of design, and that's both good and bad news. The AirPods Max 2 even come in the same five finishes as the 2024 refresh: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange.

** Winner: Draw **

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: features

So far, very little has changed. But it's in the features department that Apple has supposedly made some real strides. The AirPods Max 2 have an H2 chip, compared to the original pair's H1. This enables features previously seen in Apple's AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.

Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts levels of noise cancelling to account for environmental noise, while Live Translation translates conversations in real time.

Voice Isolation brings voices to the fore while minimising ambient noise, so you can hear the person you're calling more clearly. And you can press the Digital Crown to activate your iPhone's camera shutter.

And you can respond to Siri announcements by nodding or shaking your head.

These join the original AirPods Max's feature set, which includes Bluetooth (version 5.0 on the original, 5.3 on the AirPods Max 2), active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode, as well as wired listening over USB-C.

Sadly, the battery life remains at 20 hours. That's borderline pitiful, considering the Sennheiser HDB 630 manage three times that.

** Winner: AirPods Max 2 **

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: noise cancellation

Until we've reviewed the AirPods Max 2, we can't comment on the noise cancellation. But it has supposedly improved since the original pair.

Apple says that thanks to the H2 chip and revised audio algorithms, the AirPods Max 2 offer active noise cancellation that's up to 1.5x more effective than their predecessors. Transparency mode – which allows in outside sounds to keep you more aware of your surroundings – should also sound more natural thanks to the optimised algorithm for processing digital signals.

The AirPods Max 2 have the same total of nine microphones, eight of which are employed for ANC duties.

In our Apple AirPods Max review, we described the original's noise cancellation as "excellent". They let very little noise through, and are very good at combatting chit-chat. It's a subtle, natural effect which many people will prefer over the vacuum-like feeling of some more effective pairs.

** Winner: TBC **

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: sound

The original AirPods Max earned five stars and a What Hi-Fi? Award, so they obviously sound pretty amazing. And the AirPods Max 2 should sound even better, according to Apple.

While they maintain the same sonic signature as the originals, there's a new high dynamic range amplifier that should make the audio cleaner. Spatial Audio should sound better with improved instrument placement, "more accurate and consistent bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs."

You get the same 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio over the USB-C cable as their predecessors, while we're also promised reduced audio latency over wireless.

In our review we praised the original AirPods Max's "super-crisp and spacious" delivery. "Light on their feet, rhythmically nimble and exciting, they feel like a significant step up in terms of sonic sophistication, as well as build quality, from most headphones that came before them," we noted.

It's worth noting that this was in 2020, before the premium class of wireless headphones really existed. But they still stand up six years down the line – in fact, Apple didn't see fit to adjust the audio for the 2024 refresh.

"Trials Of The Past positively crackles with energy and the Apples add an extra layer of sizzle and attack that’s impossible to ignore," we wrote.

They bring a sense of texture and solidity to any track they convey. But be warned: they will show up flaws in lower-quality recordings.

We're very much looking forward to testing the AirPods Max 2 and will update this section once we have.

** Winner: TBC**

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: early verdict

The AirPods Max 2 look better than the originals in several ways. They have a handful of new features and promise advances in both the crucial areas of sound quality and active noise cancellation. Add the same premium design, and we could have quite a proposition on our hands.

It's just a shame about the battery life. And the case.

We'll have a full review of the AirPods Max 2 as soon as possible, and will update this article once we do.

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Read our original Apple AirPods Max review

Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Max 2024: what are the differences?

The best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy

Stop what you're doing, Apple fans, because the day has finally come: the AirPods Max 2 are here!

After months, even years, of speculation, the fully-fledged sequel to the original five-star AirPods Max over-ear headphones have officially landed, teasing more effective ANC, better sound and new features powered by Apple's forward-looking H2 chip.

The much-anticipated headphones house a new high dynamic range amplifier in pursuit of clearer, cleaner audio.

Apple also promises that Spatial Audio content will sound better than ever, with "improved localisation of instruments, more accurate bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs".

If you want to go for the highest fidelity possible, the AirPods Max 2 support 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio when connected to the included USB-C cable.

Noise-cancelling has been given a boost, too. Thanks to the H2 chip and revised audio algorithms, the second-gen AirPods Max promise ANC that’s "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation", while Transparency mode claims to sound more natural thanks to a newly optimised digital signal processing algorithm.

There are also new Apple features on the menu. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts levels of noise cancelling in response to environmental noise, while active 'Live Translation' translates conversations in real time – two features we've already seen implemented in the five-star AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.

For voice calls, the Max 2 make use of Apple's voice isolation tech powered by the H2 chip, with the aim of emphasising human speech while effectively blocking out ambient noise from intruding on your conversations.

The second-gen cans promise up to 20 hours of listening time from one charge with noise cancelling on, matching the figures of the outgoing model.

Hands-free features also aim to make the new wireless headphones more accessible on the go. A camera remote lets users take pictures or record videos by pressing the 'Digital Crown' while using the Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps on iPhone or iPad.

'Siri Interactions', conversely, allow users to respond to Siri announcements by nodding or shaking their head.

According to Apple's director of Audio Product Marketing, Eric Teski: "With the incredible performance of H2, AirPods Max are upgraded with up to 1.5x more effective ANC for the ultimate all-day listening experience. The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed, and when combined with capabilities like Personalised Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience". But then he would say that...

The Apple AirPods Max 2 will be available to order on 25th March, priced at £499 / $549, in a choice of Starlight (the gold/silver finish seen on other Apple devices), Orange, Purple or Blue colourways.

We've been anticipating the second-gen headphones for quite some time now, so to see the Max 2 arrive – at the same price as their predecessors, no less – is something of a big deal.

Will they live up to our expectations? We'll let you know once we get hold of a pair for testing.

MORE:

Read our original Apple AirPods Max review

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AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: which of Apple's noise-cancelling earbuds will suit you best?

How do active noise-cancelling headphones work? Are they worth it?

Apple has gone from strength to strength with its wireless earbuds. Its recent flagship, the AirPods Pro 3, takes the performance of the five-star AirPods Pro 2 even further, indicating that the tech giant isn't happy merely selling the most wireless earbuds – it wants to produce the best, too.

Samsung, it seems, is on a similar trajectory. The brand's wireless earbuds have been steadily improving over the past five or so years, with Samsung looking to position itself as a major player in the audio world as well as that of smartphones, tablets and TVs.

That all makes for a really interesting comparison. What we have here are two pairs of flagship wireless buds – the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 – flying the flag for their respective tech giants. Both are on serious upward trajectories, but which brand has made the greatest strides in performance? Let's find out.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: price

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 launched at £219 / $249 / AU$429, although given that they've been out for a few months, discounts will occasionally chip away at those figures. At the time of writing, for instance, you can find a pair for £204 in the UK at some retailers.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are operating in very similar territory as the AirPods Pro 3. At £219 / $249 / AU$399, we're still at a premium level, but just below the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6 (£250 / $330 / AU$500) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (currently £249 / $299 / AU$450).

Being the newer pair, discounts are less likely for Buds 4 Pro, so for now at least, Apple might be able to shade a victory.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: design and comfort

We might have mentioned that the outgoing Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro looked a little like a pair of Apple imitators when we reviewed them in 2024, but that's not a criticism we could lay at the door of the fourth-gen follow ups.

The new Buds 4 Pro look far more distinctive, and dare we say classy, than their predecessors, sporting a classic stem and bud design with a removable silicone eartip and a sleek metallic stem covering.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sports a solid IP57 certification, offering protection against dust ingress and immersion in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes, the same rating as you'll find from their Apple rivals.

In terms of fit, we don't find there to be too many issues with the Samsung buds, although there are some caveats.

The removable ear-tips are angled in slightly to allow for a more secure seal, with the stems helping to add a counterweight and keep everything locked into place. While Samsung offers an ear-fit test via the companion Wearable app, we're still left frustrated that only three choices of tips are included in small, medium and large sizes.

We'd also mention that some of our testers struggled to keep the Samsung buds firmly in place during more strenuous activities such as gym workouts or running sessions, so they may be less suited to sports and strenuous workout sessions.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pros' touch controls come via a predominantly pinch-and-hold system, whereby you give the stems a squeeze to control operations such as playing and pausing tracks or switching noise cancelling modes, or else swipe up or down on the exterior of the stem to increase or decrease your music’s volume.

That's essentially the same system as you'll find with the AirPods Pro 3. There's not much to choose between the two pairs, here, with the AirPods’ touch controls on the stems remaining intuitive and responsive for managing tasks such as music playback, changing noise modes and controlling volume.

Away from touch controls, we're rather keen on the AirPods Pro 3's design. Yes, there are always subjective differences from person to person, but during our testing time, we found them to offer a secure fit which locks into position easily. Plus, you get two extra ear-tip options (XXS and XS) for a total of five, easily beating the meagre three offered by Samsung.

The buds are lightweight and easy to wear in daily use, and we feel the redesign actually is a bit more forgiving of the eartips you choose. If you can get the best fit for your ears, the AirPods Pro 3 are light, unobtrusive and easy to get along with in daily use.

It's a reasonably close-run thing, but for their well-honed design and provision of extra eartips, we're giving the win to Apple here.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: features

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are both premium buds (the Pro is the clue there), so in both cases you're furnished with all of the tricks and treats that you'd expect to find from each brand's respective wireless flagbearers.

The Samsung buds certainly aren't light in this regard, housing a healthy array of features to complement their sonic and noise cancelling capabilities.

You'll need Samsung's Wearable app to get the most out of your Samsung buds, although as you'll find with the AirPods when connected to an iPhone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are integrated within your Samsung device’s native operating system to grant access to many of their features without having to delve into the app at all. As you may have guessed, Apple users get no app support at all for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

For AirPods users, there's no standalone app for iOS or Android users, as is par for the course, with all settings integrated into your device's iOS operating system menus instead.

Both sets provide support for spatial audio in some form or another. The Samsung's offer '360 spatial audio' with head tracking, both of which require a Samsung device in order to work and can be toggled on or off via the accompanying app.

As we said in our review: "The tech works admirably, and unquestionably provides a more spacious and open experience than when listening in standard mode. Head tracking is also effective, even if it does suffer from the usual gripe of having a very slight delay whenever the sound moves from one earbud to the other."

The AirPods Pro 3 integrate spatial audio with dynamic headtracking with similarly capable results, working slickly and smoothly when paired with an iOS device. You won't be surprised to learn that if you want the best spatial experience, you'll want to have access to Apple Music and its catalogue of spatial audio tracks.

What about battery life? Samsung’s wireless flagbearers provide seven hours of charge time from the buds and a total of 30 with the case when ANC is turned off. Switch noise cancelling on, and those numbers drop to around six hours from the buds and a total of 26 hours with the case.

By comparison, the AirPods Pro 3 will manage eight hours in a single charge from the buds with ANC switched on, stretching to a total of 24 hours of overall battery life with the charging case in play. That's slightly better in-bud battery for the AirPods, but a total of 24 hours does seem a little light in comparison.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pros' key feature is the use of Samsung’s proprietary SSC UHQ hi-res codec, which grants transmission of up to 24-bit/96kHz file quality via Bluetooth with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices.

Conversely, there's still no higher-quality codec support from the likes of aptX or LDAC for the AirPods Pro 3, so you'll have to settle for the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs – the general line we tend hear from Apple is that its AirPods simply don't require hi-res codec support to sound their best. No iPhone, iPad or MacBook support any other codecs either, so this is likely of no issue to iOS users.

Apple does have its own tricks up its sleeve, though. The AirPods Pro 3 come fitted with a new heart rate sensor to track health and workout stats, and they have hearing tests and hearing health-related features, too.

Live translation features are available on both models, but note you'll need to be on specific (usually the latest) software and compatible devices to make the feature work.

Strong showings from both sides, then, with Samsung's hi-res codec support countered by Apple's impressive health-based features. Both have features that work solely with its own devices in their own ecosystems. A draw seems like a fair result.

** Winner: Draw **

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: noise cancelling and voice calls

With the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, calls are delivered clearly thanks to the buds' trio of microphones and a voice pick-up unit, while background intrusions are capably softened to stop them from interrupting your conversations.

Noise-cancelling is well implemented on the Samsung buds, capable of subduing busy traffic sounds and the general hubbub of the office so we can concentrate mostly on the music.

Samsung’s Adaptive sound feature, which automatically switches to ambient mode when it detects human speech, works well during testing, too. We're impressed by how effectively the setting clicks into gear whenever we engage in a conversation to test whether our buds are paying attention.

The similar "Conversation Mode" feature on AirPods Pro 3 also intelligently detects when you're speaking, which lowers the volume of the music so you can have a quick conversation.

Samsung's buds won't let you down then, but they're not quite good enough to overcome the best that Apple has to offer. Call quality is clear, detailed and sounds natural on the AirPods Pro 3, with no harshness or any of that over-processed quality to our voices that we often experience with many lesser earbuds.

Where the Apple buds really distinguish themselves is through their excellent ANC. We take our AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to the gym to test their noise cancelling talents, and while the latter take the edge off the various intrusions we experience – background music, general chatter, the whir of an exercise bike – the AirPods Pro 3 simply suppress the general clamour more powerfully and more effectively.

They're also much better at dealing with sharp, loud noises than their Samsung rivals. The clank of weights dropping can threaten to intrude in on your best workout playlist, but with the Pro 3, those spikes of sound are impressively diminished to the point that we barely notice them when they occur.

Apple's noise cancelling capabilities really are mightily impressive, and earn them the win here.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: sound quality

We're convinced that the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best wireless earbuds Samsung has made. They sound resplendently clear, clean, well-organised and peppy, offering an enthusiastic, precise and lively tone that is rarely a chore to listen to.

That tone feels similar in general flavour to their third-gen predecessors, but this is still a clear sonic step up from that which came before. As we said in our review, the Buds 4 Pros’ "outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb".

Listening to genres and tracks that really play to their strengths, the Samsung buds deliver a lovely balance between analysis and pure fun. We find that rock, hip-hop and dance numbers tend to fare particularly well, as evidenced by a powerful rendition of Slipknot’s pulsating Before I Forget and a sparky reproduction of Justice’s Phantom Pt. II.

If you want to get the best out of your Galaxy buds, it's definitely worth getting hold of an up-to-date Samsung device to take advantage of that fancy hi-res SSC UHQ codec.

We use a Samsung S25 smartphone to test out how the earbuds sound with hi-res SSC UHQ codec, and there's no question that the Buds 4 Pro move to the next level sonically when using this higher-quality codec. They retain their general flavour, but overall clarity and detail levels increase considerably when compared to playing via an iPhone or the standard Bluetooth codec on a Sony Xperia 1 VI smartphone.

How do the AirPods Pro 3 sound by comparison? This isn't the walkover for Apple that some might have been expecting, and if anything, we find that their Samsung rivals arguably offer greater clarity and textural detail than their rivals can muster. That's no mean feat, especially as we described the third-gen AirPods Pro as being clearer and more detailed than their antecedents.

Still, the AirPods are superbly clear, balanced and spacious-sounding, with a keen ear for midrange vocal authenticity. They're immensely easy to get along with, giving music ample room to breathe and allowing musical textures and vocal strands plenty of space to flourish.

Where Apple's flagships really excel, however, is in their superior feeling of musical engagement. As we said in our review: "Dynamically, they do a wonderful job of conveying the ebbs and flow of a track, and are adept at slowing things down where needed, as well as keeping more energetic compositions in check – all without losing any of the verve or emotional intent of a track."

They're also seriously impressive in how they dispatch rhythms, offering a snappy, propulsive sense of timing that keeps our attention from the outset. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro aren't poor in this regard, but they don't quite have that innate rhythmic understanding, especially with more nuanced fare, as their Apple rivals.

This is a close affair, and certainly an impressive effort from Samsung's pristine, detailed flagships. We find that the AirPods Pro 3's more dynamic and rhythmically engaging sound takes the cake here, as it just makes us feel more involved and invested in the music we play.

Samsung is closing the gap, but there's still some daylight between their latest flagships and their Apple rivals.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the best wireless earbuds the company has made thus far. They're packed with features and sound better than their predecessors, demonstrating a clear indication that Samsung has what it takes to close the gap on the market's biggest names.

That said, it isn't quite enough to beat the best that Apple has to offer. The Pro 3 are the finest performing AirPods yet, and while it's a close run thing, their impressive ANC talents and more engaging, dynamic sound quality sees them pip their Samsung rivals to the post.

Each pair is designed for a different audience – AirPods for iOS users, Galaxy buds for Samsung users – but all other things being equal, we'd still take the AirPods Pro 3 over their plucky rivals.

** Overall winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

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See our pick of the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

The ultimate music tracks to test your hi-fi system

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro represented something of a watershed moment. For perhaps the first time, these were Samsung buds which we could confidently recommend,and while they had their blind spots, the Buds 3 Pro were the clearest indication we’d seen, and indeed heard, that Samsung could chase down the major players in the wireless earbuds space.

The challenge now, then, is for the Korean giant to go one step further with its new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Their third generation predecessors earned an eminently respectable four star review when we put them through their paces in the summer of 2024, yet that won’t be enough to keep their makers happy.

Only the best of the best will cut it in this ruthless arena, especially when you’re competing against the might of Sony, Technics and Apple – can Samsung finally make that step up to the big leagues?

Price

We’re pleased to report that the Buds 4 Pro haven’t seen a price hike over their predecessors. Like the third-gen flagships, the newer model is once again priced at £219 / $249 / AU$399.

This puts them a little below the likes of the new Sony WF-1000XM6 (tested at £250 / $330 / AU$500) and the Technics EAH-AZ100 (tested at £259 / $299 / AU$499), while roughly matching the cost of the rival Apple AirPods Pro 3 (£219 / $249 / AU$429).

Build & comfort

We’d like to think that Samsung took heed of our gentle ribbing that its outgoing flagship buds reminded us, and many others, of a pair of rival AirPods, because this new iteration confidently sports an aesthetic which feels more unique and distinctive than that which came before.

No, they’re not particularly revolutionary in terms of their configuration – the classic stem and bud design with a removable silicone ear tip is well-worn territory – but it’s tougher to accuse the Buds 4 Pro of looking like Apple rip-offs this time around.

They’ve also had their IP rating boosted from IP53 to IP57, granting protection against dust ingress and immersion in water up to a metre deep for around 30 minutes – a quick dip in the sink confirms the Galaxy buds are up to code.

Buds aside, the case also looks more distinctive, sporting a clam shell design with a transparent lid so that you can admire your buds as they take a well-earned snooze, plus wireless charging if you have a compatible charger.

The vertically placed ‘blade lights’ of the outgoing model – which indicated key vitals such as battery life and connectivity status – have gone, replaced by a sleek metallic stem covering which just gives the fourth-gen buds a more premium aesthetic. Given we didn’t find much use of those blade lights when testing out the outgoing Samsung buds, it likely won’t be a huge miss.

Fit-wise, the Buds 4 Pro are generally easy to get along with. The removable eartips are angled in slightly to allow for a neat, secure seal, with the stems just helping to add a bit of counterweight to keep everything lodged in place, although we did occasionally feel that grip loosen when performing more strenuous gym workouts. Samsung has kindly offered an ear-fit test which you can access via the provided app, confirming whether you’ve obtained an adequate seal with a quick scan of your ears.

Sadly, we’re still left grumbling that you only get three sizes of tip from which to choose. The provision of small, medium and large options feels miserly for a pair of flagship wireless earbuds, especially when the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM6, Technics EAH-AZ100 and AirPods Pro 3 all furnish you with at least four, sometimes five, options to get the perfect fit.

Touch controls are employed by what is predominantly a pinch and hold system, whereby you give the stems a firm squeeze to control operations such as playing and pausing tracks or switching noise-cancelling modes, while swiping up or down on the exterior of the stem with your finger will increase or decrease your music’s volume.

It’s a reasonably intuitive system, albeit one that takes a little getting used to. We start out being far too gentle when giving the buds a feather-light pinch, realising that you need to go with a rather forceful squeeze to get them to respond to your wishes. That volume control is responsive and efficient, though, even if you might have to turn your head a little to get the buds in an adequate position for you to give them a swipe.

Features

You’ll need to download the Samsung Wearable app if you want to get the most out of your flagship Samsung buds. It’s a clean, clear and well-ordered platform that’s available on newer Samsung and Android devices. It won’t surprise you to learn, incidentally, that Apple users get no app support at all.

As you’d find with a pair of AirPods or Beats headphones hooked up to an iPhone, the Buds 4 Pro controls are integrated within your Samsung device’s native operating system, meaning you can access many of their features – including ANC adjustment and immediate pairing – without having to go fire up the app in the first place.

As before, the new buds offer support for Samsung’s take on spatial audio with head tracking, both of which require a Samsung device in order to work and can be toggled on or off via the companion app.

Spatial audio works well enough, and unquestionably provides a markedly more spacious and open experience than when listening in standard mode. Head tracking is also reasonably effective, even if it does suffer from the usual affliction of having a very slight delay whenever we move our head from one side to the other.

Do the Buds 4 Pro pack enough portable power to go the distance? Samsung’s wireless flagbearers boast seven hours from the buds and a total of 30 with the case when ANC is turned off. Switch noise cancelling on, and those numbers will drop to roughly six hours from the buds and a total of 26 hours with the case.

Those are solid numbers, and generally capable of keeping up with most of Samsung’s key rivals. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) tend to clock in at around 6 hours from the buds and 24 hours altogether, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 will give you 8 hours from the buds and 24 hours from the case. The AirPods Pro 3 will offer more in-bud battery life (8 hours), but their total of 24 hours is just beaten by Samsung’s flagship candidates.

If you’re seeking a reason to upgrade to Samsung’s more recent raft of Galaxy mobile devices, the Buds 4 Pro could be it. One of the unique powers of the outgoing Buds 3 Pro was their compatibility with Samsung’s exclusive proprietary SSC UHQ hi-res codec, providing transmission of up to 24-bit/96kHz music files over Bluetooth via newer devices. Those hi-res capabilities return for the fourth-gen flagship iteration, so we enlist the services of a Galaxy S25 smartphone to get the most out of our test sample’s sonic capabilities.

Noise cancelling & voice calls

Voice calls via the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are ably handled. Speech comes across as reasonably clear thanks to the buds’ trio of microphones and voice pick-up unit. During calls, background noises, such as the bluster of wind and the swoosh of a nearby motorway, are impressively diminished. The costlier Sony WF-1000XM6 sound clearer and more natural, but Samsung’s flagbearers get the job done just fine.

Noise cancelling, meanwhile, comes in a healthy variety of flavours, including a more transparent passthrough setting alongside full active noise cancelling. This full ANC mode is effective enough in daily use, and while the Sony WF-1000XM6 are more effective at blocking out higher highs and deeper lows, we certainly notice an appreciable softening of road traffic noise and the general hubbub of a busy street when we take our Samsung test pair out for a stroll.

You also get access to Samsung’s Adaptive mode, which monitors your environment and automatically switches to the more transparent ambient setting when it detects sounds such as human speech or the screech of nearby sirens.

That automatic mode switching works well, and it doesn’t take long for the Buds 4 Pro to move seamlessly into ambient mode after we’ve started an impromptu conversation in the office. Clever.

Sound

While the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will appeal predominantly to Samsung users, Samsung envisions its flagship buds as being compatible with a range of source devices. As such, we use a Samsung Galaxy S25 phone for much of our test time, as well as the five-star Sony Xperia 1 VI to assess the Buds 4 Pros’ general Android performance, and an iPhone 15 to see if they can play ball with Samsung’s arch rivals Apple.

The Buds 4 Pro feature a dual driver arrangement, with a larger 11mm woofer combined with a tweeter that aims to cover a wider range of frequencies (deeper bass, higher highs) and deliver greater dynamics than before.

However we listen, it doesn’t take long for us to develop something of a soft spot for the fourth-gen flagships. These are clear, well-organised and snappy performers, keenly and enthusiastically firing your music into your ears with the same tenacity as an eager labrador puppy desperately trying to retrieve a tennis ball from underneath the family sofa.

That crisp, nimble approach is hard to resist, and with the right genres, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are capable of putting on quite a show. Rock, hip-hop and dance numbers played via Tidal tend to fare particularly well, as evidenced by a powerful, crunchy rendition of Slipknot’s headbanging Before I Forget and a similarly eager, lively reproduction of Justice’s funky Phantom Pt. II.

These might well be the best-sounding buds that Samsung has yet made, and certainly a clear step up in detail and clarity over their third-generation predecessors. The Buds 4 Pros’ outstanding levels of textural insight and clarity make a recording of Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca sound appropriately regal, before bringing out the lean, retro feeling of Elvis Costello’s Veronica with aplomb.

If you really want to hear your earbuds firing on all cylinders, it pays to have an up-to-date Samsung device to hand in order to take advantage of the brand’s hi-res SSC UHQ codec. When paired with the Samsung S25 smartphone and with that high-quality codec switched on, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro take on their final and most fearsome form, like a chunky Charmeleon evolving into a mighty, fire-breathing Charizard.

Overall clarity and detail levels are increased considerably, giving Johnny Cash’s seminal cover of Hurt a welcome boost. Cash’s voice is rich and full of a gravelly, smoke-filled melancholy, while his guitar player sounds both meatier and more resonant yet simultaneously nimbler and more clearly defined than when using an iPhone or the standard Bluetooth codec on the Sony.

Everything, in fact, sounds tauter and more precise when playing through a compatible Samsung device. The bass is grippier and more responsive, while midrange textures, such as delicate guitar strums and human vocals, are more densely packed with detail than when playing on another Android or Apple device.

That hi-res codec doesn’t quite save the Buds 4 Pro from their relative limitations, though, especially when put up against the best in the business in the shape of the new Sony WF-1000XM6. Dig out Radiohead’s strange, entrancing Decks Dark, and you’ll notice the clear step up the five-star Sony buds provide as they tease out each instrumental strand with a near-obsessive attention to detail.

Dynamically, the XM6 are a cut above, granting a real sense of shape and expression to the track’s descending piano passages, all while giving the quiet drums beneath a more perceptible feeling of weight and intent. The Buds 4 Pro excel at making Decks Dark sound clear, spacious and nicely balanced, but the XM6s’ more musically involving rendition once again highlights why the Sony heavyweights are quite possibly the finest wireless earbuds we’ve heard at this level.

The AirPods Pro 3 are also just a shade more dynamically and rhythmically expressive than their Samsung counterparts, as evidenced by their engrossing delivery of Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting, but the Buds 4 Pro win back points by outshining the AirPods Pro 3 for clarity, spaciousness and overall levels of detail.

Verdict

Samsung is taking sound seriously, and it shows. The brand’s flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are its best-sounding wireless earbuds yet, offering a clear, agile performance that’s backed by a whole host of slick features.

You’ll need a recent flagship Samsung smartphone to get them firing on all cylinders, but if you’ve got the kit to get them sounding their best, the Buds 4 Pro are a really solid pick, especially for devoted Samsung users.

Review published: 25th February 2026

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Features 5
• Comfort 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Sony WF-1000XM6

Also consider the Apple AirPods Pro 3

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: which flagship earbuds are better?

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM6: has Samsung closed the gap on the class leaders?

Best wireless earbuds: top pairs tested by our reviewers

For all the excited chatter of Apple Intelligence, heart rate sensors and futuristic live translation, ultimately what the AirPods Pro 3 get right is sticking with (and improving) the core basics of a pair of wireless earbuds: enjoyable sound quality, effective noise-cancelling and comfortable wear.

Of course it’s tempting to speculate about innovative and outlandish features from a tech company that, for so long, always gave us one more thing we didn’t expect from a new product. But when it comes down to it, none of those extra features matter a jot if a pair of premium wireless earbuds doesn’t do its job well. And this pair does it very well indeed.

Do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 break new ground and trouble the likes of Sony, Technics and Bowers & Wilkins? Not quite. But they are delightfully dependable performers – especially for iOS users – that offer a step above in performance from the five-star, highly recommendable AirPods Pro 2.

Price

Apple’s new flagship wireless earbuds cost £219 / $249 / AU$429, occupying the same premium arena as its rivals Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Sony and Technics.

While the US price has remained the same as the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C (£249 / $249 / AU$399) that launched two years ago, the new models are more expensive in Australia, and, conversely, cheaper in the UK than before. We’re not sure what economic factors have led those of us in Blighty to get such a good deal, but we aren’t complaining.

In comparison, you can get the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) for £299 / $299 / AU$450, while our Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100 cost £259 / $299 / AU$499. Sony’s long-in-the-tooth WF-1000XM5 can be found for £219 these days, too.

Build & comfort

The biggest, most obvious change in the new Pro 3 is its design. It’s not a huge overhaul – it has the same all-white earbud-with-stem design that looks pretty identical to its predecessors at first glance. But put them in your ears, and they feel rather different from the Pro 2.

The Pro 3’s main body is smaller, with the eartip’s nozzle angled more towards the ear canal, and the area where the stem joins the head is contoured differently. Apple says it has reshaped the AirPods Pro’s design (along with the re-positioning of the mics and vents) in a bid to better fit more ear shapes.

The Pro 3 weigh a little heavier (5.55g vs 5.3g) than the Pro 2, although you wouldn’t notice this when wearing them.

This redesign delivers an interesting conundrum, as some of us on the review team who found the Pro 2’s shallower profile offered a snug fit in their ears feel that the Pro 3 stick out a little more; while those who didn’t get along with the Pro 2’s fit now find the Pro 3 fit more securely and lock into position more clearly. We’d encourage you to try the Pro 3 out for yourself before upgrading from a Pro 2.

We have no real complaints when it comes to the actual security and comfort of the buds when wearing them, despite our initial nitpicking.

The buds are lightweight and easy to wear in daily use, and we found the redesign actually is a bit more forgiving of the eartips you choose. We found that both the M and L tips offered a good seal and secure fit, and we didn’t experience much of a difference in sound or active noise cancelling (ANC) quality with either, whereas previously we had a clear preference for the ear tip size.

Additionally, the material of the included eartips (now in five different sizes) is thicker and firmer thanks to a new layer of 'foam-infused microspheres'. Apple says this aims to improve noise isolation and, consequently, aid ANC and sound quality. As always, we would recommend trying the different tip sizes to see which works best for you.

Using the AirPods’ touch controls on the stems remains intuitive and responsive for music playback, changing noise modes and volume control. Additional presses on the stems (customisable in the settings) let you deal with calls, summon Siri, take a picture on your iPhone, and more.

The USB-C charging case is lighter but ever-so-slightly bigger than the Pro 2’s case, and remains compact enough to slip into your pocket or bag and hold in your palm. You get an updated Ultra Wideband (U2) chip in here that offers better, longer-range precision finding if you misplace your buds, and it still emits chimes and has an LED to indicate charging.

There is no physical button on the case for pairing with your phone now – this does cause a little bit of confusion at first, but a few taps get us paired with our iPhone with little fuss.

Features

All the same features that the AirPods Pro 2 possess – from spatial audio to hearing health features – have been carried over to the Pro 3, and they work just as slickly and smoothly as we’ve come to expect, especially when paired with an iOS device.

Features such as conversation mode (which automatically pauses music when the buds detect you’re speaking), the various noise-cancelling modes (including transparency and adaptive audio), and head gesture controls to reject (or answer) calls are second nature in use. Even with advancements in rival wireless earbuds, that instinctive, snappy Apple user experience is second to none.

In true stubborn Apple fashion, there are still no higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC on board here – you just get the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs.

Considering most rival earbuds (even cheaper ones) now offer at least some kind of hi-res codec these days, this might feel like a miss to some. It’s worth noting that the latest iPhones don’t support any hi-res codec either, so this may not matter to most AirPods users.

A new heart rate sensor is included in the AirPods Pro 3 to track health and workout stats, while the much-hyped live translation feature is here but isn’t exclusive to Pro 3 only; AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC users also get this feature, as long as you’re using an Apple Intelligence-equipped iPhone (16 and later) running on iOS 26.

Battery life is the one area where we feel disappointed. The earbuds themselves get a boost with eight hours in a single charge (up from six), but the overall battery life with the charging case is now 24 hours – down from 30. We think this is a bit of a backwards step with today’s multi-tasking, power-hungry use, and while the on-bud charge is never in doubt, we do find ourselves charging the case more regularly than the Pro 2 during our testing period.

Apple’s stated 8 / 24 battery life hours are at least better than the Bose 2nd Gen’s 6 / 24, and are identical to older Sony WF-1000XM5, but they lag behind the class-leading Technics AZ100’s 10 / 28 hours capacity.

One small but significant improvement is that the AirPods Pro 3 now have IP57 water resistance (up from IP54), which means greater protection from rain, sweat, splashes, and even surviving a short, full dunk in water.

ANC & call quality

Apple has made a lot of noise about the Pro 3’s improved active noise-cancelling abilities, despite sticking with the same H2 chip as before. Instead of a brand new processor, Apple’s engineers have employed new ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and the new foam-infused eartips to offer twice the noise-cancelling capability than the Pro 2.

We’re not sure of the maths, but we can confirm that the AirPods Pro 3 have noticeably moved their ANC skills up a notch. We took the Pro 3 with us on a trip to France, and found that they shave off a greater amount of mid and low frequency noise during the flight. The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode.

During our daily commutes, we found environmental noises – the passing of cars, sudden bursts of roadworks, and the general hubbub of excited Christmas shoppers – were quietened down further, leaving us to focus clearly on the music being played. Sudden loud spikes in noise are handled well, too, without ever distracting us.

As we found with the Pro 2, we really like the natural, airy way that the Pro 3 employs its noise-cancelling. We are a little more aware of the more powerful ANC effect being employed in the Pro 3, but it never feels overbearing. Rivals such as Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) do leave you in greater silence overall, but the Pro 3’s noise-cancelling abilities are satisfyingly effective in everyday situations.

We also find the way Apple handles its transparency and adaptive ANC modes to be particularly naturalistic, offering just the right blend of music playback and environmental awareness, without ever sounding artificially amplified or mechanical – a tricky balance to meet.

Similarly, call quality is clear, detailed and sounds natural, with no harshness or any of that over-processed quality to our voices that we tend to experience with many earbuds.

Sound

While Apple doesn’t go into specific details, it says the AirPods Pro 3 feature a completely revamped ‘multiport acoustic architecture’, which, along with a custom driver and amplifier working with the H2 chip, promises more precise airflow control to deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. The brand’s Adaptive EQ is also updated, which uses an inward-facing mic pointing right into your ear canal to optimise the sound to your ear.

Pop the AirPods Pro 3 in, and we’re met with that very familiar Apple sonic character. Some of us on the review team have been using the AirPods Pro 2 for about three years regularly, and we are greeted with a continuation of that well-balanced presentation that knits music together cohesively and delivers voices with clarity and sweetness.

It only takes a few minutes of comparisons to discover that the AirPods Pro 3 take a sonic step forward in every way, too. The Pro 3 sound clearer and more detailed; they are more spacious-sounding and more dynamic, too.

Tonally, the AirPods Pro 3 have a well-judged balance that ensures no frequency sticks out unduly, nor does it sound too smoothed-over at the expense of subtlety. There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forget About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue.

Waxahatchee’s vocals on 365 sound pure, intimate and clean, and when listening to podcasts we find that voices overall sound more solid, textured and fleshed out. The Pro 2 don’t lag far behind, but they now sound more lightweight and slightly sibilant at the top in comparison.

No matter what track or genre we play through them, the AirPods Pro 3 handle it all with panache and care, with a snappy, propulsive sense of rhythm that keeps our attention rapt. Dynamically, they do a wonderful job of conveying the ebbs and flow of a track, and are adept at slowing things down where needed, as well as keeping more energetic compositions in check – all without losing any of the verve or emotional intent of a track.

The muscular slam of the drums, guitars and bass in A Perfect Circle’s Judith sound hugely satisfying through the Pro 3, while the sparse and more sombre tones of Eyepennies by Sparklehorse are delicate and communicate the shift in energy.

The greater sense of space and power results in a more exciting and confident performance, and allows songs to breathe in an airy soundscape. The Pro 3’s sonic balance is such that, while not the most transparent or purely neutral, it bends its will to the tune of the music, rather than imposing its own sonic character overtly onto the music.

The earbuds are expressive enough to convey the difference in recording eras – a Motown track and a Sabrina Carpenter tune have completely different vibes, after all – which means we never get bored of listening to track after track and have no problem getting in the mood required for each song. Put simply, the AirPods Pro 3 just sound fun.

Could they have pushed their performance sliders further? Yes, we think so. Our favourite premium pair, the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound more refined and even more spacious, while the older Sony XM5 are still a dab hand at dynamic subtleties and conveying slightly more authentic textures.

But Apple is able to juggle all the different sonic elements in such a musically cohesive way that we never feel like we are missing out on one particular sonic trait; the AirPods sound impressively natural and engaging.

Verdict

Those who already own a pair of AirPods Pro 2 and are happy with them may not find much reason to update to the new Pro 3, especially considering they share so many new features.

But while this is more evolution than revolution, there is no doubt that the AirPods Pro 3 are a step forward in nearly every way that counts – the sound quality is more powerful, dynamic and spacious, while noise-cancelling is further improved.

We only wish that the battery life could be greatly improved in the next generation. But Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds remain an impressively put together set of wireless earbuds that are seamless and enjoyable in use, and remain a firm recommendation for iOS users.

Review published: 13th January 2026

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Comfort 5
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Technics EAH-AZ100

Also consider the Sony WF-1000XM5

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Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: which flagship earbuds are better?

Best wireless earbuds: top pairs tested by our reviewers

Boy howdy, what a year 2025 was for wireless headphones. Sony looked to have the whole thing space sewn up as its Award-winning WH-1000XM6 earned serious acclaim after their summer release, all before Sennheiser came out of nowhere with the quite remarkably talented HDB 630 flagship cans. Who saw that coming? A twist worthy of the Royal Rumble.

The land of wireless earbuds was no less fertile. Bose reminded everyone of its credentials with the excellent QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra (2nd Gen), Apple sent its disciples into a frenzy by releasing the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3, while Sony dominated the cheaper side of the market with its outstanding WF-C510 (released in late 2024) and WF-C710N budget buds.

What can 2026 do to top that? I'm expecting next year to be a big one, mainly because wireless headphones are only growing in popularity, and practically every audio manufacturer you can think of is desperate for a piece of the action.

We can't guarantee that all of the prospective models below are set to materialise, but I have good reason to think that 2026 could be the biggest year yet for wire-free listeners everywhere.

Wireless headphones

Apple AirPods Max 2

Apple sure does like to take its time. It can often feel like an eternity between any iteration of the Californian company’s iconic white earbuds or range of attractive HomePod smart speakers (we’re still waiting for the HomePod 3), and the brand’s premium over-ears are no exception.

We first reviewed the original AirPods Max in 2020(!), and while we’ve had a semi-sequel in the shape of a USB-C-ready edition which landed in late 2024, a full-fat evolution is yet to materialise after more than five years of waiting.

The possibilities are endless for what a sequel could look like. Updated sound could see the Max 2 building on a five-star sonic legacy, while current rumours suggest that Adaptive Audio, improved ANC and even a new internal processor could all be on the cards.

We don’t know if and when the new AirPods Max 2nd Gen are set to launch, but we do know we can’t wait to try them out once they do.

Sony WH-CH720N (2nd Gen)

The Sony WH-CH720N have proved a big hit thanks to their provision of excellent ANC and generally outstanding value, making a sequel almost inevitable. Considering they launched back in September 2023, a second-gen update would follow Sony's general release schedule of unveiling new series additions once every two to three years.

Sony already demonstrated that it’s more than capable of improving upon class-leading excellence when it made the leap from the WH-1000XM5 to this year’s WH-1000XM6 Award-winners, so doing the same for its entry-level noise cancellers shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

There’s so much scope to make the second-gen WH-CH720N (we don’t have an official idea on the name yet) even better than the first, including a more dialled-in bass signature, more premium features and a few design tweaks. Did someone say a foldable sequel?

Sonos Ace (2nd Gen)

Just because we weren’t particularly effusive in our praise of the current Sonos Ace over-ears, that doesn’t mean we’re not keen to see a potential sequel land as early as 2026.

Sonos’ first foray into the world of wireless headphones wasn’t a resounding success to our ears, but with a few sonic and usability adjustments, it’s not hard to envisage a world in which the hypothetical Sonos Ace 2 cause considerable discomfort to the current class leaders.

Yes, the sound will need something of an overhaul – the current cans' sound is simply too bland and lacklustre to merit notable praise – but there’s clearly a market for a pair of Sonos headphones which slot effortlessly into the brand’s wider ecosystem.

Sonos is a big name with plenty of resources at its disposal, and you can bet your bottom dollar it will go all out to make sure that the second-gen pair of Ace avoid the pitfalls of the originals.

Wireless earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM6

We’d feel confident putting a reasonable sum of cash on Sony releasing a sequel to its Award-winning WF-1000XM5 flagship wireless earbuds. Yearly release cycles tend to alternate between over-ears and in-ears, so given that 2025 was the year of the WH-1000XM6’s launch, it’s only logical that 2026 will see the debut of their earbud-shaped counterparts.

This is a big one for Sony. The Technics EAH-AZ100 knocked the WF-1000XM5 off their perch as our pick as the best premium wireless earbuds in town, and that won’t be something which Sony takes lying down.

There’s scope for improvement for the five-star buds, from honing their sonic talents to providing a better intuitive fit and updating the sequel's feature set. Technics has set a high bar, but if anyone can reach it, it’s Sony.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

There are pretty concrete rumours circling that the latest additions to Samsung’s roster of earbuds could be on the way next year, and while such news might once have elicited little more than a shrug of the shoulders from the more cynical minded among us, we’re far more optimistic about seeing what Samsung can do with its flagship Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Why? Mainly because the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro were such a pleasant surprise. They weren’t perfect, sure, but when paired with a suitably premium Galaxy source device to get the most out of the Samsung’s SSC UHQ hi-res codec for transmission of file rates up to 24-bit/96kHz, the third-gen buds started to make a whole lot of sense.

Sounding clean, spacious and impressively detailed when using that SSC UHQ codec, the Buds 3 Pro were our clearest indication yet that Samsung could mix it with the biggest boys on the block. If the 4 Pro can take up that mantle and run with it, a final fifth star could well be in the offing.

New Technics AZ40/AZ80 earbuds

Do you know part of the reason why we admired the flagship Technics EAH-AZ100 so much? They demonstrated progression. Technics learned from the lessons of its previous efforts to make a five-star pair of earbuds and implemented them in the flagship AZ100, resulting in an outstanding effort which melded clarity and insight with class-leading musicality.

We'd love to hear more of these sonic advancements trickle through to the brand's more affordable models. We haven't had a pair of mid-range Technics buds for a while, so 2026 could be the perfect time to see the four-star EAH-AZ40M2 get the same treatment as the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award-winning EAH-AZ100.

The step-up Technics EAH-AZ80 could also receive a sequel, and given the potential those sparklingly clear, detailed buds exhibited, a follow-up effort could cause serious problems to the likes of Sony, Bose and Sennheiser.

MORE:

Read our five-star Sennheiser HDB 630 review

Check out our guide to the best wireless headphones we've tested and rated

Best wireless earbuds 2025: top pairs tested by our reviewers

Huawei's new FreeClip 2 aim to refine the unique open earbud design it unleashed upon the world two years ago, while hoping to fix a few problems we had on the all-important sound quality front.

Open earbuds have exploded into the market, with the ear tip-less design allowing you to hear everything around you while also pumping out tunes. The focus here is more about environmental awareness than pure sound quality (the lack of a proper seal means that sound quality will inherently suffer), but it is a category that has blossomed since we first tested Huawei's first-gen FreeClip in 2023.

The FreeClip 2 sport an unusual design, even in the open earbud world, with an 'acoustic ball' (where the driver is housed) connected to the 'comfort bean' (which supports the ear placement and has touch controls) by way of a 'C-bridge' – the bendy connecting wire between the two sections.

Compared to the previous generation, the new earbuds are 11% smaller and lighter (5.1g to the first gen's 5.6g) and claim 25% reduced ear pressure for a more comfortable fit. The charging case is now more compact, too.

The 'comfort bean' has been refined to be more compatible with different ear shapes, and offers updated playback touch controls that should be more responsive. New is the ability to adjust volume on the go with a sliding motion on the surface, while head gestures (like those on the AirPods Pro) allow you to answer or reject a phone call.

Our big criticism of the original FreeClip was about sound quality, with the buds offering a poor, tinny sound that lacked warmth, dynamism or solidity. Huawei hopes to rectify that by re-engineering the FreeClip 2's acoustics to "optimise" the open-ear performance.

Inside the acoustic ball is a 10.8mm "turbo" driver unit, which has a dual diaphragm that promises twice the amount of bass compared with the older model.

The way the space is used inside the acoustic ball has also adjusted, with a double-vented design that aims to push 53% more air volume than before.

There's no noise-cancelling here of any kind of course, but the FreeClip 2 does incorporate an AI-powered volume adaptation technology, which aims to dynamically enhance the sound according to the noise levels around you.

Due to the open, leaky nature of the earbuds, Huawei employs a reverse sound field technology that promises to eliminate sound waves to reduce sonic leakage.

Voice calls have also been improved for clarity, with 85dBA call noise reduction and voice enhancement technology used alongside two mics and a new voice pick up unit so you can "hear and be heard clearly".

The FreeClip had a pretty long battery life and this has been improved further in the second-generation model, which now offers nine hours on a single charge and 38 hours in total with the charging case. A 10-minute charge via USB-C offers three hours of juice.

The earbuds have an IP57 water-resistance rating (the charging case is rated at IP54) and support the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs.

The Huawei FreeClip 2 will cost £179 when they are available to buy in UK/Europe from 21st January 2026. Considering the original model launched at £180 two years ago, zero change in price is a strong stance from Huawei.

There are four new finishes: blue, white, black and rose gold. Other territory prices and availability are TBC.

We have a sample of the new FreeClip 2 and are taking them for a spin, so stay tuned for a full review in due course.

MORE:

Read our original Huawei FreeClip review

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Our guide to the best wireless earbuds you can buy

Black Friday hasn't officially arrived yet, but that hasn't stopped huge retailers from getting ahead of the game and offering massive discounts on some of our favorite products.

And for just $139 at Walmart, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a Black Friday steal compared to their usual $249 price tag.

They're easily the best wireless earbuds if you're an Apple fan, even with the Apple AirPods Pro 3 hitting the market, and at this price, a bit of a no-brainer.

The AirPods Pro 2 are amongst the best wireless earbuds on the market right now, earning the first five-star review we've been able to give a pair of Apple buds.

Why? Well, because the noise-canceling is better than they've ever achieved before, battery life is longer at around 30 hours with the charging case and six hours on a single charge, there's new features to previous buds, and much improved sound quality.

Suffice it to say, the Pro 2's impress in pretty much every area of wireless performance, especially when pitted against the brand's alternative buds, the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC and successor, the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

And it's worth taking a moment to shine a light on the improved active noise-canceling. In our full review, we said: “Background noise disappears to a mere murmur, whether that’s office chatter or the roar of train engines on our daily commute.

“It’s a comfortable, airy effect, too, and does a great job of letting you enjoy your music without much distraction from the world around you.”

Sonically, we praised the AirPods Pro 2 for sounding “really, really good” adding weight, great detail and even greater dynamic subtlety to the audio offering.

Thankfully, they also have a very nice fit, with Apple's tweaked design providing a less intrusive feel for the in-ears as well as added on-bud volume controls.

It's a huge leap in performance for Apple, with a relatively affordable price tag that just got a heck of a lot more appealing with a $110 discount at Walmart, thanks to Black Friday.

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Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review

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Black Friday quick links

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I'll cut straight to it. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 have dropped to a record-low price of £169 at Amazon. That's an impressive £60 off their £229 launch price.

Despite being superseded by the AirPods Pro 3, the second-generation buds still boast clear, detailed and powerful sound, excellent noise-cancelling and a long battery life.

At this discounted price we'd absolutely recommend going with the AirPods Pro 2.

This Early Black Friday deal ends on the 1st December or while stocks last, whichever comes first. Tempted? We suggest you don't hang around.

Best Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds deal

The AirPods Pro 2 represent Apple's triumphant entry into five-star territory after years of solid – but not quite exceptional – wireless earbuds.

These second-generation flagships finally deliver the complete package that places them alongside class-leading competitors from Sony and Bose.

At the heart of the Pro 2's success lies Apple's advanced H2 chip, which powers significant improvements across active noise-cancelling, sound quality, and battery performance.

The ANC capabilities have been dramatically enhanced, with Apple claiming twice the background noise reduction compared to the original Pro model.

In practice, this translates to impressively effective isolation that makes background chatter and transport noise fade to a comfortable murmur.

The earbuds themselves remain visually identical to their predecessors, but Apple has refined the experience with useful additions.

Touch-capacitive volume controls finally grace the stems – a long-overdue feature that responds reliably to up and down swipes.

The inclusion of an extra-small ear tip size broadens the fit options, too, while the USB-C charging case gains a built-in speaker for location tracking.

Sound quality represents the most significant leap forward, though. They deliver a richer, more powerful presentation that maintains Apple's signature clarity, while adding welcome weight and dynamic authority.

These earbuds demonstrate impressive versatility across genres, even if rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer even greater insight and rhythmic ability.

Overall, the performance feels more engaging and entertaining than previous AirPods generations as well, with improved rhythmic drive that keeps listeners hooked.

Voices remain a particular strength – from gravelly vocals to podcast dialogue, they deliver natural, focused reproduction that draws you into whatever content you're consuming.

Some iOS updates have also added valuable features, including Adaptive Audio, which intelligently adjusts noise-cancelling levels based on your surroundings. Conversation Awareness also smoothly reduces music volume when you start speaking.

Battery life is six hours from the earbuds with ANC active, with a total of 30 hours including the charging case – competitive, but not class-leading.

The seamless integration with iOS devices remains unmatched, with near-instant pairing and intuitive operation that simply works without requiring too much thought.

In short, at this reduced price of £169 at Amazon, the AirPods Pro 2 make a compelling case to take the plunge and experience five-star audio at a nicely discounted price.

MORE:

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Black Friday quick links

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With any new pair of wireless earbuds that I take for a spin, my default setting is to go for the biggest size of eartips available, so that there’s a better chance of me getting the best fit possible.

It’s a tactic that’s served me very well over the past decade or so while testing wireless earbuds. After all, you do want the best seal possible, not just for keeping out external noise but also to preserve the quality of your audio.

An incorrect fit can lead to bass leakage, which in turn can lead to a sound lacking in low-frequency heft. (If your in-ears fit into this category, might I suggest you take another size of tips for a spin, and maybe even try mixing and matching different sizes.)

However, spending a bit of time with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 has me wondering if it’s time for a change to my approach.

The second-generation model has been a regular travel companion of mine for a couple of years now, ever since I had an epiphany in the wake of our five-star AirPods Pro 2 review.

Which is why I was more than excited when Apple unveiled their successors, the AirPods Pro 3, at their recent September event. Could the Cupertino giant make some of the best wireless earbuds even better?

Our review sample of the AirPods Pro 3 is in the building, and I couldn’t resist pestering our Hi-Fi and Audio Editor Kashfia Kabir to see if I could take them for a spin.

Now, Apple made quite a big thing about the design of the new AirPods at its September reveal, which also saw the unveiling of the iPhone 17. Apple claims the new design makes the AirPods Pro 3 “the most secure and best-fitting AirPods ever.”

They also have new “foam-infused eartips” with “a new layer of foam-infused microspheres”. In hand, they feel more cushioned and a little more substantial than the Pro 2 tips, which makes me think they will create a more solid seal with your inner ear.

Unboxing the AirPods Pro 3, I reached for the bigger tips as per usual. My first impression of wearing them was that I thought they felt more secure, more locked-in around my ear. Apple has rotated the tips more inward, compared to AirPods Pro 2, which, in my brief experience with them, gives them greater stability.

After a few hours, though, I could feel a bit of pressure on a part of my ear, *checks Google*, the tragus, where I hadn’t felt pressure before with the Pro 2.

Part of this could be down to the new rotated eartip design. They definitely feel different in place compared to the 2nd Gen model. This, combined with the new big tips, might be the cause of my discomfort.

So, in the name of testing and to satisfy my own curiosity, I went down a size of eartip. I still ran Apple’s ear fit test to make sure my seal was up to scratch, and would you believe it, I think it made a difference and released a little bit of that pressure.

And, thanks to the combination of new earbud shape and new tip material, using the smaller (medium size) tips still feels super secure, and I’m confident the seal will remain intact, even though I’ve gone down a size.

I’ll need to use them a little while longer to be sure, but it’s a timely reminder of how design changes can impact comfort and also goes to show why it’s so important to experiment with all the tip options you get with wireless earbuds.

I’ll be waiting for the full verdict from our review team before I consider taking the plunge, but my gut feeling is I’ll be sticking with the Pro 2 until they need sending to that big electricals recycling bin in the sky. Alternatively, I’ll be praying for an AirPods Pro 3 Black Friday deal to take advantage of.

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When Apple launched the AirPods Pro 3, it made some bold claims. Not only is sound quality boosted, but the noise cancellation is supposedly twice as good as it was on their predecessors. You can see how they compare to the previous-gen model in our dedicated AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 comparison article.

As you'll see from our five-star AirPods Pro 3 review, Apple's latest offering are an excellent set of wireless earbuds. But no product exists in a vacuum. And as buyers ourselves, we want to know how Apple's latest compares to the best wireless earbuds around.

This is where we see how those bold claims really hold up.

Taking on the AirPods Pro 3 are the Sony WF-1000XM5, which we've long recommended as the best option for most people. They are two-time What Hi-Fi? Award winners, and a true benchmark for sound quality and features.

So if Apple really wants to claim that its new AirPods Pro offer "the world's best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones," it will have to go through Sony first. Let's see how they get on.

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: price

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 arrived at £219 / $249 / AU$429 in September 2025, representing a welcome £30 price drop for UK buyers compared to their predecessors. Outside of the UK, they have the same launch price as the Pro 2 in the USA and a AU$30 price bump in Australia.

The Sony WF-1000XM5, originally priced at £259 / $299 / AU$419 when launched two years ago, have dropped significantly since and can now be found regularly at £219 or even lower if a store's got a good deal running. At the time of writing, you can pick them up for as low as £179 in the UK, for example.

With the XM6 rumoured to be coming soon, expect the XM5's price to drop further.

**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5**

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: design and comfort

Apple has refined the familiar AirPods Pro design for the third generation, analysing over 10,000 3D ear scans to optimise the fit.

Each earbud is slightly smaller than its predecessor, with Apple claiming the geometry is specifically shaped to better match ear contours. The package includes five eartip sizes, including a new XXS option, and with updated eartip material.

The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable to wear, although our reviews team was divided when it came to the fit. Those of us who found the AirPods Pro 2 provided a secure fit in our ears found the Pro 3's new shape protruded a bit far, while those who didn't get on with the Pro 2 found the Pro 3 a snug fit. The only real solution is to try them for yourself before buying.

The new eartips are a bit more forgiving than the Pro 2's – we achieved a good fit from both the M and L sizes, for example, with no noticeable loss in sound quality or their noise cancellation properties.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 take a dramatically different approach, shrinking approximately 25 per cent compared to their predecessors while becoming 20 per cent lighter.

The result is a sleek, glossy design with smooth lines and subtle curves that look distinctly premium, although they are heavier than the AirPods.

The Sony earbuds feature a mostly glossy plastic exterior with a textured matte finish on the touch control surfaces, though this smooth design can make extraction from the charging case somewhat tricky.

In our testing, the Sony WF-1000XM5 proved comfortable, though the fit isn't quite as secure as some rivals due to the heavier body. The polyurethane tips create a good seal when positioned correctly, but lack the 'grippiness' that would prevent them moving. Some on the review team also found the material of the eartips to be quite hard and fatiguing on the ears over long listening sessions.

Sony's IPX4 rating provides sweat resistance, while Apple has upgraded to IP57 for enhanced dust, water and sweat protection. The touch controls on both earbuds work responsively, although we find the swiping action on the AirPods Pro 3's stems more intuitive than tapping multiple times on the Sony bud to adjust volume.

We have to call this round a draw, as fit is such a personal thing. Both are well made and should be comfortable, but we wish the Sony's eartips were a bit softer and Apple's redesign suited all ear shapes.

**Winner: Draw**

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: noise cancelling

Apple has made bold claims about the AirPods Pro 3's noise cancelling, promising "the world's best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones".

The company claims up to twice as effective ANC compared to the AirPods Pro 2, achieved through ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and new foam-infused eartips for greater passive isolation.

On a flight to France, the Pro 3 successfully muted mid- and low-frequency noise. "The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode," we wrote in our AirPods Pro 3 review.

In the Sony camp, the WF-1000XM5 proved their noise-cancelling credentials in our testing, with Sony claiming approximately 20 per cent noise reduction improvement over the Sony WF-1000XM4.

The implementation uses three microphones per earbud (versus two on the previous model), including dual feedback mics for better low-frequency cancellation. The integrated processor V2 and HD Noise Cancelling processor QN2e also work together effectively.

In our Sony WF-1000XM5 review, we noted that the buds "remove an extra layer of midrange noise in comparison [with the XM4] which makes for an extremely pleasant listen with minimal background noise to contend with." The effect is also more subtle and less intrusive than some more effective noise-cancelling buds, like those made by Bose.

And in comparison? The Sonys are good, but the AirPods are better. Pitting the side by side, we found the AirPods to be superior to the Sonys at quieting mid and low frequencies. The Sonys let in a bit more background noise than the AirPods Pro 3, especially higher-frequency voices and instruments.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: features and battery life

The Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver eight hours of battery life with Bluetooth and ANC activated, plus another 16 hours from the wireless charging case.

Adaptive Sound Control also automatically adjusts ambient sound filtering based on location and activity, and the enhanced touch controls now allow simultaneous operation of playback, sound modes, and volume.

DSEE Extreme processing attempts to enhance lower-quality music files, while Multipoint Bluetooth allows simultaneous connection to two devices.

Sony's established ecosystem includes the Sound Connect app with six sound presets and seven-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio support with dynamic head tracking, and the useful Speak-to-Chat feature.

As for Apple, it has significantly expanded the AirPods Pro 3's feature set. Battery life increases to eight hours with ANC enabled and 24 in total with the charge case – matching the Sonys and improving on the AirPods Pro 2's six hours.

It offers seamless connection with iOS devices, and features Spatial Audio with dynamic head-tracking, Conversation Mode and a clever Adaptive ANC mode. There are also ample hearing health and hearing aid features on the AirPods Pro 3.

The new Live Translation provides real-time speech translation, lowering speaker volume while boosting translation. Heart rate tracking also uses special sensors pulsing 256 times per second, with 50 workout types supported through iPhone integration.

The degree to which this matters will depend on your use case, but if you're after a pair of buds for exercise, this is a rather big bonus.

In terms of Bluetooth streaming, Apple continues to support the standard AAC and SBC codecs, while Sony goes on further by supporting the LDAC codec, which lets you stream music in higher quality from compatible phones.

On paper, Apple’s extra health and hearing aid features put some distance between it and the two-year-old Sony set, though it's worth remembering that most of the best AirPods features are iOS-only (and not everyone will need these features). They are neck-and-neck when it comes to user-friendly features, such as wear detection, and we had no issues with connectivity or daily use.

**Winner: Draw**

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: sound quality

This is where the Sony WF-1000XM5 have truly excelled, earning praise for their exceptional clarity and detail retrieval.

Our Sony WF-1000XM5 review highlighted a significant character change from previous Sony models – less rich and full in the bass department, but with remarkable clarity and precision that sets new standards for wireless earbuds.

The 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, larger than the predecessor's 6.4mm unit, uses dual materials for different frequency ranges and helps reduce mechanical noise.

Testing revealed the Sony earbuds' ability to maintain timing and organisation even with complex tracks like Radiohead's 15 Step, keeping percussion well-defined where lesser earbuds would create a jumbled mess.

The midrange investigation is thorough, exposing every element of recordings with authentic harmonics and proper texture. There's an openness and definition that we found quite exceptional.

Meanwhile, Apple promises significant sound improvements for the AirPods Pro 3 through a new multiport acoustic architecture that controls airflow, resulting in improved sound throughout.

Apple’s next-generation Adaptive EQ also aims to transform bass response while widening the soundstage and providing vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies.

We found they are "clearer and more detailed... more spacious-sounding and more dynamic" than their five-star predecessors, we noted in our AirPods Pro 3 review.

The neutral sonic profile works well across a range of genres: "There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue."

Sonically, they're excellent, albeit not quite as superb as their Sony rivals. They have a sweet, fluid balance and plenty of spaciousness, which makes them easy to listen to. But the Sonys are simply more revealing in the finer textures of instruments and voices, offering more depth to piano notes and a more taut bass. The Sony deliver excellent timing and musicality despite their more analytical approach.

You won't feel shortchanged with either performance, but for our money, the Sonys sound better.

**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5**

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: verdict

The Sony WF-1000XM5 have proven themselves to be exceptional wireless earbuds, earning our five-star rating, and two previous What Hi-Fi? Awards, for their outstanding clarity, detail and analytical prowess.

They represent a significant evolution in Sony's approach, prioritising precision over warmth while maintaining excellent timing and musicality.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 arrive with impressive specs and plenty of improvements over their already accomplished predecessors. The seamless iOS experience, innovative health features, and improved ANC quality will certainly impress would-be buyers.

While the AirPods Pro 3 are excellent in their own right – with a five-star review, no less – and offer enjoyable, improved sound quality, the older Sonys remain the better buy overall. That's thanks to their lower price, greater versatility with Android and iOS, and superior sound quality.

** Overall winner: Sony WF-1000XM5 **

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Read our Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: which Apple earbuds are better?

The Apple rumour mill rarely has a day off. Case in point – according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (who has a reliable track record), Apple has begun work on an H3 chip and next-generation AirPods models.

Not only that, but the US tech giant is also apparently exploring the possibility of embedding cameras into future earbuds as part of a broader push towards AI-powered wearables.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple's silicon team is developing the H3 chip with a focus on reducing latency and improving audio quality.

The processor would represent the first major update to the H-series chips since the H2 arrived in 2022's AirPods Pro 2 – the same chip that powers the recently launched AirPods Pro 3.

The camera development appears aimed at the AirPods Pro line rather than more affordable models.

As for why you might want cameras in your earbuds? Well, respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first reported on camera-equipped AirPods back in 2024, suggesting infrared sensors could deliver more accurate spatial audio for Vision Pro users.

Kuo later indicated the cameras might recognise gestures for controlling apps and system features, whilst Gurman has linked the camera exploration to Apple's ambitions of transforming AirPods into AI devices.

An AirPods Pro 3 variant with IR cameras has been rumoured for next year, though the timeline for camera-equipped models remains uncertain.

If Apple follows its established three-year cycle between AirPods Pro generations, a 2027 or 2028 launch for AirPods Pro 4 would seem more likely.

Alongside the H3 development, Apple is also apparently working on AirPods 5, which will update both tiers of its standard earbuds.

The heart-rate monitoring introduced with AirPods Pro 3 appears unlikely to feature in these more affordable models, according to Gurman, though Apple is reportedly exploring additional health capabilities, including a temperature sensor for future AirPods releases.

The camera functionality seems unlikely for the AirPods 5 line, as Apple typically reserves premium features for its Pro models.

No release timeline has been confirmed for either the H3 chip or AirPods 5, and we have to stress once again that none of this is official.

We’re expecting plenty more next-gen AirPods rumours – more leaks and whispers are inevitably on the horizon – so watch this space for more info, as we get it.

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Have you been patiently waiting for a discount on the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC? Well, you're in luck.

For Amazon Big Deal Days, the retailer has slashed the price of the impressive wireless buds, as long as you're signed up to Prime.

• Browse all the Amazon Prime Day deals

For just £149 at Amazon, it may only be a £30 saving, but when it comes to a price drop from Apple, we'll take whatever we can get.

And, if you're working on a tighter budget and don't mind sacrificing the ANC, you can pick up the Apple AirPods 4 without ANC for just £105. Either way, you've got yourself a pretty nice deal.

The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC are the newest ‘standard’ AirPods on the market right now, and while they struggle to compete sonically with the five-star AirPods Pro 2, they're still capable of clean, detailed, agile and powerful sound.

And, despite Apple sticking with the 'open' design with no eartips, the AirPods 4 offer surprisingly effective noise cancelling, which is a relief considering you pay extra for the privilege. In fact, we said: "Combining effective noise-cancelling with an open design is no mean feat, and we have to applaud Apple for pulling it off successfully."

While most noise-cancelling earbuds will use eartips for the initial seal for your ear canal, the AirPods 4 target low-level frequencies specifically to cancel outside noise, making for a pretty decent ANC offering.

The 4th-gen AirPods are also equipped with personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, as well as clear voice call capabilities and hands-free gesture controls.

We felt a little disappointed that while Apple quotes a 30-hour battery life you will only get around 20 hours if you use ANC. Still, plenty of time to enjoy your tunes.

All things considered, our expert testers reached this verdict in the full review: "The design won’t be for everyone and the battery life lags behind the competition, but the combination of crowd-pleasing features and performance means these AirPods 4 have plenty to entice and recommend. If you’re an Apple user, you should try these earbuds out."

And you should definitely try them out by taking advantage of the £149 price tag at Amazon right now, but you'll have to be quick.

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Read our full Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review

Amazon Big Deal Days hi-fi deals: all the top headphone, vinyl and speaker savings picked by our experts

And check out Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: the best deals on headphones, TVs, speakers, home cinema and more

Streaming services have become needlessly complex over the past couple of years. First, there's the sheer volume of options on the market.

Then there's the fact that most have a new confusing tier system that locks features behind pay walls with little to no warning; I'm looking at you, Amazon Prime Video.

With the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video and Paramount Plus all vying for your monthly direct debit, it can be hard to know which service is the best one to go for.

Even the big UK broadcasters are throwing their hats in the ring, as I found out when a Channel 4+ advert kindly spoiled the episode of The Great British Bake Off that I was watching – rude.

With crucial AV features including 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos now being locked behind the "premium" subscription tiers, I'm starting to get rather frustrated with the whole streaming business, and I'm willing to bet that it's not just me either.

That's why I've been evaluating which services to keep and which ones I'm better off without, and it's reminded me of one overlooked service that hasn't fallen victim to the modern streaming woes.

Ironically, this service is backed by one of the largest and most influential technology firms in the world.

Yes, I'm talking about Apple TV+, a service that many consider to be closed off and not worth their money compared to the likes of Netflix, which features enough content to spark a 45-minute debate about what to watch every single time the app is opened without fail.

Now, I can't dispute that Apple's content library seems like a bit of a letdown on paper, but Apple TV+ is the epitome of "quality over quantity" in my books. It's also improved hugely over the years since its launch, meaning there are plenty of shows and films to choose from.

Its content library includes the likes of Severance, which I've been told to watch more times than I can bear to count (It's on my list), as well as Slow Horses, Silo, The Morning Show, Shrinking and The Studio.

The final one is one of the smartest, best-produced, and funniest shows I've seen in a very long time – hence why it just won a record-breaking 13 Emmy Awards in its first season.

And because it's Apple, which happens to make quite a lot of money selling iPhones, Macs and AirPods, if you weren't aware, the production values of these shows are second to none.

I've watched these shows on everything from my Sony A80L OLED TV to my iPhone 16, and they look glorious on practically every screen thanks to their slick production.

Best of all, Apple hasn't succumbed to this subscription tier system nonsense. It's £9.99 / $12.99 / AU$15.99 per month, with ad-free viewing in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio – simple.

Now, that has risen in price since it launched in 2019, when it was £4.99 / $4.99 / AU$7.99. However, compared to Netflix's egregious price hikes, which means a plan with those same features is now £18.99 / $24.99 / AU$28.99 per month, I'm willing to cut Apple some slack.

If you're tired of Netflix and Disney Plus, and have been resisting the temptation to check out some of the shows I've mentioned above, I'd highly recommend ditching those services for a month and seeing what you think of Apple TV+.

Best-case scenario, you'll find a great new series to get invested in. Worst case, you'll save yourself some cash this month and can resubscribe to those services at any time.

MORE:

Read our full Apple TV+ review

And check out our Apple TV 4K (2022) review

As well as our picks for the best streaming devices

The flagship AirPods Pro 3 passed through our test rooms with flying colours earlier this year, improving upon their five-star predecessors across the crucial elements of sound and noise-cancelling, while still retaining that seamless Apple iOS experience and coming packed with solid features.

But how do Apple’s new wireless earbuds compare with the standard AirPods 4 with ANC? While not getting full marks like its Pro siblings, the fourth-gen standard AirPods with active noise cancellation are an appealing option, especially if you aren't keen on designs with eartips and don't need all the fancy extra features.

For those trying to choose between the two sets of AirPods, what are the differences, and which is the better option for your needs? We've compared the two earbuds extensively to find out.

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: price

The AirPods 4 with ANC launched at £179 / $179 / AU$299 – but you can currently find them at a discount, even outside of big sales periods. In the UK, you can snap them up for £149 at the time of writing, while those in the USA can buy them for as low as $129-$150.

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's new flagships, of course, so you can expect to pay a higher price than for the AirPods 4 with ANC. The Pro 3 officially cost £219 / $249 / AU$429 – for the US, that's the same price as the outgoing AirPods Pro 2, but it's slightly more expensive for those in Australia.

It's much better news for those in the UK, as the launch price is £30 cheaper than their predecessors, and you can even nab the Pro 3 for £199 now at some retailers.

**Winner: AirPods 4 with ANC**

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: design & comfort

The AirPods 4 stick with the long-running standard AirPods design of having no eartips. While they still have that iconic white ‘toothbrush head’ look, they opt for a more 'open' design wherein the ear pieces sit outside the ear canal rather than fitting snugly inside.

It's a design that works rather well for most people, although there are still some on our review team who struggle to get a secure fit with these 'open' buds. Those of us who find a comfortable fit praise the updated shape and form of the fourth-gen AirPods, finding that they nestle into our ears securely and unobtrusively despite their lack of ear tips. They are also impressively light at just 4.3g each, meaning we almost forget we are wearing them during our tests.

The AirPods Pro 3 are set to be a different kettle of carp. The flagship buds still feature a bud-and-stem design, but these have eartips that burrow into the ear canal to offer a better seal – both for sound and noise-cancelling.

You get five eartip sizes in the box, coming in XXS (new), XS, S, M and L options. There's no XL tip size, something we feel is a bit of an omission for those of us with larger ear canals, but that's a small grumble.

Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 been reshaped to be better-fitting, analysing 10,000 3D ear scans to offer a more optimised fit. In reality, this means the eartips' nozzle now rotates inwards, and the contour of the area where the stem meets the buds protrudes a little. This again delivered varying levels of fit for our reviews team: it worked great for some, but felt a little less snug for others. We would always recommend checking they fit securely in your ears before buying.

Once they do, however, there are no problems, with the new foam-infused eartips offering a better fit overall and greater passive noise-cancellation. The Pro 3 are smaller than before, and the 5.55g weight is still comfortably light, even if the buds are more obviously present than with the AirPods 4.

Both pairs feature on-bud controls that work intuitively and instantly. Pinching the stems on both AirPods lets you control music playback, accept or reject/end a call and summon Siri. You can also long-press the stems to change the noise-cancelling modes.

With the AirPods Pro 3, the buds feature an additional touch-capacitive layer whereby you can swipe up or down to change volume – something you can't do with the AirPods 4 with ANC.

If you like to take your AirPods with you on your travels or accompany your workouts, it's worth noting that the Pro 3's IP57 dust- and water-resistance beats the IP54 certification of the AirPods 4 with ANC.

That ‘7’ means protection against full immersion for 30 minutes in water up to 3ft (1m) deep, which should give you peace of mind if your buds ever drop into the swimming pool or, heaven forbid, the toilet.

Both earbuds' charging cases feature a USB-C port, a small LED indicator and can emit sounds to warn you of low battery or when trying to find them. The AirPods 4's case is considerably smaller than the Pro 3's, though both are slim enough to be pocketable. The Pro 3's case features a new Ultra Wideband (U2) chip that offers better, longer-range precision in finding them if you misplace your AirPods.

For many, whether you prefer no eartips or very much require the eartips will be the deciding factor here: both AirPods are easy to use, comfortable and do their job well, just make sure you're happy with the fit for your ears.

**Winner: Draw**

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: noise-cancelling quality

As you might have twigged, both earbyds offer active noise cancelling, but in slightly different formats. It's unusual to find noise-cancelling with open earbuds without eartips, but we found that the AirPods 4 with ANC do an impressive job of blocking out enough noise so your music is heard clearly, while still allowing you to be aware of your surroundings.

The AirPods 4 with ANC actually use the same microphones as the Pro 2 model, and do a great job at reducing low-level frequency noises – engine rumbles, exhaust fans, some traffic noise.

We said in our review: "It’s a nice halfway point between being able to hear your surroundings while not being overwhelmed by those environmental noises that stop you from hearing voices on podcasts or lyrics clearly.”

Some noises, such as people talking or high-pitched sounds you might get from roadworks, will still come through, as these are open designs – but it works just enough to reduce those frequencies that tend to drown out the music, while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

The AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, talk a seriously big game, claiming to offer twice as effective noise-cancelling over the outgoing Pro 2, despite still using the same H2 chip. This is thanks to upgraded eartips, new ultra-low-noise microphones and advanced computational audio.

The Pro 3 offer a step-up in ANC performance across the frequency range, and they are the ones to pick if you really want to block out external noise entirely. They're able to quieten down all kinds of noise, from airplane engine noise to general chatter in the office.

We said in our review: "During our daily commutes, we found environmental noises – the passing of cars, sudden bursts of roadworks, and the general hubbub of excited Christmas shoppers – were quietened down further, leaving us to focus clearly on the music being played. Sudden loud spikes in noise are handled well, too, without ever distracting us."

It's undoubtedly a more powerful effect than the Pro 2 and even more so than the AirPods 4 with ANC – but it still manages to deliver it in a natural, airy way that we like for daily use.

In terms of ANC modes, both offer Adaptive Audio that adjusts the noise-cancelling levels in real-time depending on external noise, as well as a Transparency mode for hearing more of your surroundings. Both are easy to use and feel naturally deployed. But if it's the best ANC effect you're after, there's only one choice.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 3**

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: features

Both pairs of AirPods share many features, especially when it comes to iOS-only elements, but the AirPods Pro 3 offer a step up as the flagship pair.

For starters, both the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 with ANC pack Apple's latest H2 chip that offers a smooth experience in daily use and seamless connection to your iOS device. Both sets pair easily enough with Android devices too, but you won't get any of the extra features beyond basic Bluetooth, ANC and controls.

They both offer the standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, with Apple in no hurry to adopt any higher-res codecs such as aptX or LDAC.

Both sets offer Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking with compatible Apple devices, and have the handy Conversation Awareness mode, which drops playback volume automatically when it detects you are speaking.

Additionally, the new real-time Live Translation feature is available for both AirPods 4 and Pro 3 models, which is handy as it requires two compatible AirPods to fully work. You'll need to ensure you're using an Apple Intelligence-powered iPhone (16 and onwards) and be running on the latest iOS 26 software for the feature to work.

Another new feature that lets you take a photo from a distance by just pressing the stems is also available on both 'Pods.

What are the other differences, then? Well, battery life is one area of deviation, with the Pro 3 offering eight hours on a single charge with ANC on, which is considerably better than the measly four hours you get on the fourth-gen AirPods.

Combined with the charging case, the AirPods Pro 3 boast up to 24 hours total listening time, beating the 20 hours in total of the AirPods 4 with ANC.

For health and fitness fanatics, the Pro 3 have some further tricks up their sleeve, offering new heart-rate sensors in the buds that can be used with Apple's Fitness tracker app. You also get Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features in the flagship model, which are useful.

The Pro 3 go bigger on features than the AirPods 4 with ANC, and the better battery life and extra health features will likely be enough to convince people to spend more on the Pro model. However, if those features aren't that important to you, we remain impressed that Apple continues to update its standard earbuds to keep them in line with its latest innovations.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: sound quality

Apple has promised rather a lot from its latest flagship earbuds in the sound department. The Pro 3 feature a completely new “multiport acoustic architecture”, boasting more precise airflow control, deeper bass, a wider soundstage and even clearer, more vivid vocals than the five-star Pro 2.

Its Adaptive EQ feature, which uses an inward-facing mic to optimise the sound to your ear, has also been updated.

Put altogether, it results in a sound that is clearer, more detailed, more spacious and more dynamic than the Pro 2. The sonic signature remains consistent – a balanced, cohesive presentation that delivers detail and voices in a natural, sweet way.

That well-judged balance combines with more power and punch to deliver heavy metal tracks with satisfying slam and attack, while sparser songs are given the space and openness to deliver their more contemplative tone in a nuanced manner.

Voices on songs and on podcasts are fleshed out and sound natural, with personality and emotion coming through with clarity and immediacy.

We said in our review: "No matter what track or genre we play through them, the AirPods Pro 3 handle it all with panache and care, with a snappy, propulsive sense of rhythm that keeps our attention rapt." They're brilliant at dynamics as well, and keep us hooked to the music.

The Pro 3 are a fun listen, and while not the most transparent or neutral model in its premium market space, they deliver a performance that knits together music well so that its core message is enjoyed fully.

The Pro 3's sealed design will naturally deliver a better overall sound – especially when it comes to punch, dynamics and bass performance – than the open AirPods 4 design. Despite this, however, we hear much of that same Apple sonic character: clear, detailed, nimble and a noticeable talent for bringing vocals to the fore.

The AirPods 4 deliver a bigger, more substantial and more open presentation than their flat-sounding third-gen antecedents, serving up more space between voices and instruments while digging out more detail and textural depth.

There is considerably more energy and warmth that comes through, and we noted that "their snappy, agile and clean performance is easy to enjoy" for their price and type.

While the highs are controlled, we feel they could do "with even greater punch, intensity and subtlety to the dynamic ebbs and flows". In comparison, the AirPods Pro 3 are far more authoritative, dig deeper in terms of textural insight, sound more powerful and punchy, and simply deliver a more complete, confident performance.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 3**

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: verdict

The AirPods Pro 3 flagships are the clear winner if you want the best, most complete Apple wireless earbuds experience. They sound better, their active noise-cancellation is more effective, the battery life is longer, and they have extra features that befit their flagship status and higher price tag.

At times, the difference in price between the two comes much lower than £/$50, so it might make long-term sense to part with the extra cash for the Pro 3 and get the full experience.

However, for those that don't need 'the best' at everything and much prefer an open earbud design, then the AirPods 4 with ANC are a solid choice for iOS users. They are updated with latest features and blend their sound and ANC talents with situational awareness in a comfortable, satisfying manner.

**Overall winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

MORE:

Read our full AirPods Pro 3 review

And our Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 were a long time coming – three years, in fact – but they were worth the wait.

Our AirPods Pro 3 review praised their advances in sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC), tweaked design and upgraded roster of features.

But the world of wireless earbuds is a tough place to be. Bose's flagship QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) stand tall as some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds we've heard, and they too offer plenty for the discerning music listener thanks to their detailed, entertaining sound and excellent fit.

So how do these two pairs square up against each other? And which should you buy? Let's find out.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): price

Both of these are flagship pairs, so neither comes cheap.

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) cost £299 / $299 / AU$450. That's a lot of coin, but the same price as their predecessors cost when they launched two years prior, so it's not too unreasonable. We have seen some discounts of around £30 too, though only occasionally.

The AirPods Pro 3 are cheaper, with a launch price of £219 / $249 / AU$429. That's actually £30 cheaper than their predecessors, and still £10 cheaper than when Apple cut the price and switched from a Lightning port to USB-C in 2023. Reason to celebrate if you're in the UK, then.

We have also recently seen a discount on the AirPods Pro 3, dropping £30 to £199. Even more reason to celebrate.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): build & comfort

Bose's earbuds tend to be some of the most comfortable around, and that's certainly the case with the brand's cannily designed QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Their unconventional design fits perfectly in the ear, aided by the stability bands and flatter eartip designs that offer a nice, secure experience. They stay put whether you're crunching out a 5K or head banging to Motörhead, an impressive feat considering these aren't specifically conceived as workout buds. The Bose buds fit everyone on our review team comfortably and with no issue.

Their touch controls are responsive and intuitive, and you can customise them to your liking. You do only get three sizes of ear tips though, which seems a bit stingy – the AirPods Pro 3 come with five, including a new XXS size – but the second-gen QC Ultra Earbuds' stability bands keep them from tumbling out of your ears.

The Bose are much more colourful than the AirPods, coming in four finishes, including the rather fetching Deep Plum. As you'll know with Apple, any AirPods that aren't the over-ear Max only come in one colour: pristine, iconic white.

The Pro 3 are every inch a pair of AirPods, but Apple says their fit has been optimised using more than 10,000 3D ear scans, boasting a slightly smaller size than their predecessors and a design shaped to match the geometry of the ear.

Apple claims these are the "most stable and best fitting AirPods ever", but our testing was not without issues. Only certain members of our reviews team achieved a snug, secure fit – and that was those who couldn't get the same from the AirPods Pro 2. Those who did get on well with the Pro 2 found that the Pro 3's new shape protruded a little too far out.

We did, however, find more leeway with the ear tips. We got on just fine with both M and L sizes, with no noticeable variation in sound quality or ANC from either. The AirPods Pro 3's touch controls are a breeze to use, and we particularly like the touch-capacitative control on the stems that let us change volume on the fly.

Fit is such a personal thing that we would recommend you try any pair of wireless earbuds for yourself before buying. But for the more universal fit (despite being heavier), the Bose take this round.

** Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) **

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): features

The Bose buds give you six hours of use, or 24 hours total when using the charging case. That's less from the buds than the AirPods Pro 3, which last for eight hours, but the same total battery life, so the AirPods edge this one.

The Bose support aptX Adaptive for streaming in 24-bit hi-res lossless with low latency via compatible sources, along with the standard AAC and SBC codecs, while the AirPods lack aptX or any kind of hi-res support. As was the case with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple is sticking with the AAC codec and considers the buds' intrinsic qualities to be sufficient to negate the need for any particularly fancy codecs.

Both support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking – Bose Immersive Audio and Apple Spatial Audio respectively – though we're less keen on Bose's take on this format than Apple's. Apple also includes a more personalised spatial audio feature for iPhone users.

The Bose buds support Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity for easier switching between two connected devices. Apple has its own take on this tech, but it only works with iOS devices – but it is very seamless in use.

The new AirPods now support Live Translation, which can translate live speech in real time. They lower the volume of the speaker and boost the audio translation so you can focus on what's being said without distraction, and can provide on-screen transcripts directly to your iPhone. Increíble!

This feature has also come to the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2, but note that you'll need to pair them with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iOS device running iOS 26 to get it to work.

Apple has added health and fitness skills to the AirPods Pro 3. Heart rate tracking is now possible thanks to a small photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that measures light absorption in blood flow within your ear.

Using your iPhone, you can set the AirPods Pro 3 to track 50 different types of workout, and there's a new Workout Buddy to give you personalised insights while you're huffing and puffing. There are also hearing tests and hearing health-related features in the AirPods Pro 3 that are useful.

The AirPods Pro 3 are more weather-resistant than the Bose, offering an IP57 rating to the QC Earbuds' IPX4. That means they're more dust- and water-resistant – ideal for exercising in the great outdoors.

Overall, the AirPods have more features and the better battery life, not to mention the superior spatial audio feature. But the Bose buds work just as well with Android devices as iOS, and support the higher-quality aptX Adaptive codec.

The AirPods edge this one, but if you use an Android device you'll be better served by the feature set of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): noise cancelling

ANC is the feather in Bose's cap. The firm invented the tech, and it continues to excel in its implementation for both its in-ear and over-ear headphones.

Bose's latest flagship earbuds offer smoother changes in levels of noise cancellation to deal with sudden spikes like sirens or car horns than their predecessors. They're quick to adapt to whatever we throw at them during our review, proving effective at softening harsher sounds while also dispatching lower-level rumbles.

You can choose from three levels of ANC: Quiet, Aware and Immersion (which involves Bose's spatial audio tech), plus you can add your own custom presets with the amount of noise cancelling dialled in to your liking.

In their Quiet mode, the buds suck all of the sound away, cocooning you in an eerie vacuum of silence. It might be a bit unnatural for some people, but if it's pure silence you crave, there's none better out there at this level.

"Noises across the sonic spectrum, be they clacking keyboards, chattering colleagues or cars beeping their horns on the street, simply dissolve into near-insignificance, with harsher and more intrusive sounds shut out even more effectively than before," we wrote in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review.

So Apple has its work cut out, but it's coming out swinging, claiming that the AirPods Pro 3 offer the “world's best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones". Fighting talk.

Apple claims that the Pro 3's ANC is up to twice as effective as the Pro 2's, and four times as effective as the original AirPods Pro. This is thanks to ultra-low noise mics and advanced computational audio, plus new foam-infused ear tips for greater passive noise isolation (i.e. better blocking of your ear canal).

In our review, we found the ANC a step up from the AirPods Pro 2's, and that was true across the frequency range, and it deals with sudden loud 'spikes' of noise just as well too. The Adaptive and Transparency modes blend the outside world and your music in a natural, non-mechanical manner, too.

The effect was also pleasingly consistent with that of their predecessors. "As we found with the Pro 2, we really like the natural, airy way that the Pro 3 employs its noise-cancelling. We are a little more aware of the more powerful ANC effect being employed in the Pro 3, but it never feels overbearing."

It's certainly a more natural effect than the Bose, but not quite as effective. Bose Ultra 2 are simply able to cut out even more noise across the frequencies compared with the AirPods Pro 3, which are good enough for daily use.

If it's complete silence you crave, however, you can't top the Bose. But if you find the 'vacuum' effect a bit much, the Pro 3's airier feel will suit you better.

**Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): sound

Sound quality makes or breaks a pair of earbuds, so we were a little surprised that the latest Bose buds don't have a new driver. Rather, Bose fine-tuned the audio to improve the bass response and smooth out higher frequencies, something that sounded like it might not be enough to keep up with more 'ambitious' rivals.

However, it worked out well, offering a noticeable boost in sound quality over the first-gen models.

The 2nd Gen Ultra Earbuds reach "impressive new depths while retaining the requisite tautness and agility of their lower-end reproduction," we wrote in our review.

"Mournful strings plunge deeper than before, but across all frequencies there's satisfying body and texture to notes that goes beyond what the original QC Ultra Earbuds could muster.

"It’s a clearer performance, too, and improved levels of crispness help to delineate where each note starts and finishes with a sharper, keener focus."

The newer buds sound richer and whatever we throw at them, we're impressed with how composed, full-bodied and punchy the second-gen buds sound.

Given that the original QC Ultra Earbuds were five-star performers, it seems a little tweaking was all that was needed.

For the AirPods Pro 3, Apple is sticking with the same H2 chip as their predecessors, but has looked at other ways of tweaking the sound quality.

Apple is touting a new multiport acoustic architecture that controls the airflow that carries sound into the ear. Along with next-gen Adaptive EQ, we are promised deeper bass and a widening of the soundstage so you can hear every instrument in a track. Apple also claims to bring "vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies".

In our AirPods Pro 3 review, we found them to be "clearer and more detailed... more spacious-sounding and more dynamic" than their predecessors. They're well-judged tonally, and their neutral sonic balance works well across a range of genres, as our eclectic listening proved:

"There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue," we noted.

In comparison, we rank the AirPods Pro 3 above the Bose in terms of sound quality. They're more balanced across the frequencies, more rhythmically cohesive, and even more precise and detailed. Voices especially sound far more detailed, natural and focussed than with the Bose.

The Bose are punchy and entertaining, with a rich and full-bodied bass, but the AirPods are clearer, more precise and more agile. You'll certainly get a lot of entertainment value from the Bose, but the AirPods take this round.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 **

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): verdict

Two five-star pairs of earbuds, but which is best? It really depends on your priorities.

The Bose have the better fit for most people, and the more effective noise cancellation (though note that not everyone likes the extreme feeling of having the sound sucked out of their ears). The AirPods are cheaper, have a longer battery life and have the more natural-feeling ANC. Though of course, if you have an Android device, a lot of the AirPods features won't work and you would be better off with the Bose.

Neither pair is light-years ahead of their predecessor, but Apple has made the bigger step up in the most important area: sound quality.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

MORE:

Read our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

And our Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which are better?

If you are fully immersed in Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 have been a no-brainer since they launched in 2022.

For both the original Lightning connector and USB-C (from 2023) models, we thought they were Apple’s best wireless earbuds to date and worth every penny because of their user-friendly design, excellent active noise-cancelling and brilliant sound quality. However, that all changes now that their successors, the AirPods Pro 3 are on the scene.

The new flagship AirPods Pro promise big improvements all around. But now we've reviewed them, do the claims stack up, and should you upgrade? Let's compare them side by side and see which comes out on top.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: price

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to pricing.

The good news is that if you live in the UK, the new AirPods Pro 3 are actually cheaper than their predecessors were at launch. The AirPods Pro 2 launched at £249, but the 3rd Gen model is £219, which is a nice surprise and a very welcome saving.

In the US and Australia, however, the Pro 3 cost $249 / AU$429, which is identical to the previous version and AU$30 more expensive, respectively.

The outgoing Pro 2 can be found at a discounted £169 / $199 / AU$339 though, so are still cheaper. They're also likely to see further discounts given their age, although we would be quick, as they are discontinued at many retailers.

**Winner: Apple AirPod Pro 2**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: design & comfort

While you’d be hard-pressed to spot any design differences between the second-generation model and the AirPods Pro 3 at a distance, look a little closer, and you’ll see Apple has actually made some significant tweaks.

In fact, Apple has looked at more than 10,000 3D ear scans in an attempt to get the optimum fit for most ear shapes.

So, the general stem design returns for the new model, but the eartips are now angled more inwards, so they face the opening of your ear canal as opposed to the tips approaching from more of an angle as in the Pro 2. The curved area where the stems meet the earbud head is also differently shaped between the two models.

They are also slightly smaller than the older model, but only by a fraction. Conversely, the AirPods Pro 3 weigh a bit more than Pro 2 (5.55g versus 5.3g).

The new design is a double-edged sword. Those members of our review team who found the AirPods Pro 2 provided a snug fit found that the Pro 3 stick out further, while those who didn't get on with the Pro 2 found the Pro 3 fit much better. It's such a personal thing, we would suggest trying the Pro 3 for yourself before upgrading from the Pro 2.

Internally, each earbud also gets a new "multiport acoustic architecture", which Apple claims precisely controls the airflow which carries sound into your ear and helps "transform the bass response".

Another design change has happened to the eartips that the earbuds use. Apple has introduced what it describes as "a new layer of foam-infused microspheres" to improve isolation and, consequently, noise cancelling and sound quality.

You also get five sizes of eartips with the AirPods Pro 3, including an XXS size, compared with four sizes with the AirPods Pro 2 (XS, S, M, L). In our AirPods Pro 3 review, we found the new design to be a little more forgiving of which size of eartips you choose, with both the M and L sizes providing a secure fit and a solid ANC performance, for us at least. Good news if you lose a pair of one size.

The case has been slightly redesigned as well. It's lighter yet slightly bigger than the Pro 2's, and offers an updated Ultra Wideband (U2) chip with longer-range precision finding if you misplace your buds. The case no longer has a pairing button, but getting it to shake hands with your iOS device is still a cinch regardless – just follow the on-screen prompts.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: features

Like the AirPods Pro 2, the Pro 3 support Bluetooth 5.3 and use Apple’s H2 chip, which hasn’t been upgraded for the new model.

You get all the audio features present on the AirPods Pro 2, including Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalised Volume, Adaptive EQ and Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.

Touch controls on the stems mirror those of the AirPods Pro 2, and are just as easy to use for music playback, volume changing, selecting noise modes and more. Both earbuds are seamless in use when paired with your iOS device.

If you were hoping for a boost in battery life for the AirPods Pro 3, you’re in luck – with a caveat. The new model increases the figure to eight hours per charge, up from six hours in the old model.

However, total battery life, including the USB-C charging case, actually goes down from 30 hours with the Pro 2 to 24 hours for the Pro 3. For most people, it’s the figure per charge that is going to matter most, however we did find ourselves charging the case more often during our Pro 3 testing than we did with the AirPods Pro 2.

The water- and sweat-resistance has been upped to an IP57 rating (compared with IP54 in the old model). And in a first for AirPods, the Pro 3 also feature a heart-rate sensor (Apple’s smallest to date) so you can use the buds to track certain health and exercise stats.

Finally, the hotly anticipated live translation feature has been introduced in the Pro 3 – but this feature is also available on the Pro 2, as well as the AirPods 4 with ANC. In order to use this feature, you'll need an Apple Intelligence-running iOS device (like the iPhone 16 onwards) and to have updated to iOS 26.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: ANC & call quality

Apple claims the ANC in the AirPods Pro 3 is four times more efficient than that of the original AirPods Pro, and that they deliver twice the noise-cancelling performance of the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple says this is down to a combination of the buds' ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and the new foam-infused eartips, which promote greater passive noise-cancellation.

So how do these claims stack up?

Pitted against their predecessors, the AirPods Pro 3 do cancel more mid- and low-frequency noise, as we found when we took them on a flight to France. "The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode," we noted in our AirPods Pro 3 review.

This held true for our daily commute too, with sounds like passing cars and roadworks quietened down even further than the AirPods Pro 2. The transparency and adaptive ANC modes on both earbuds feel very natural too, with just the right blend of music and ambient sound. We particularly like how sudden loud and harsh noises are handled, too – they are smoothed over in a natural way that doesn't distract us from our music.

True to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 retain the natural, airy feel to their ANC implementation that we loved with the AirPods Pro 2. We are a little more aware of the more powerful full ANC effect being employed in the Pro 3, but it never feels overbearing, and theirs remains a discreet method of silencing the outside world.

Call quality on both AirPods Pro models is clear, detailed and natural-sounding – a world away from the over-processed voices of some rivals.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: sound quality

Of course, this is what we're really here for. Do the AirPods Pro 3 sound better than their predecessors?

In short, yes they do. Resoundingly so.

They might have the same H2 chip as the Pro 2, but this combines with the revamped ‘multiport acoustic architecture’ and custom driver and amplifier to result in a sound that is clearer, more spacious, and more powerful.

It's the same Apple sonic character we know and love (well balanced, airy, neutral and natural), but with greater solidity, more openness and space for more detail to flourish, and even greater dynamism.

The Pro 3 walk a fine line, with frequencies not sticking out nor overly smoothed out, allowing songs to sound enjoyably punchy yet still deliver ample subtlety. This balance serves them well with a range of source material: "There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue," we wrote in our AirPods Pro 3 review.

Voices are clean and have greater richness, making the AirPods Pro 2 sound a little sibilant and lightweight by comparison. Add to this their snappy, propulsive sense of rhythm, greater spaciousness and power, and you've got a more exciting and confident performer than the AirPods Pro 2.

That's not to do down their predecessors. The Pro 2 are "engaging and entertaining right from the second we start listening," we noted in our AirPods Pro 2 review. They're also "rhythmically agile and nimble" and still manage to sound plenty open and airy.

The Pro 2 are still perfectly enjoyable, it's just that when pitted against the newer version, they lose out – the Pro 3 manage to improve in every sonic area.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: verdict

So there you have it. The AirPods Pro 3 sound convincingly better than the AirPods Pro 2, have more effective noise cancellation and exciting new features (though some of these are available on the Pro 2 now as well). Some may find the fit of the Pro 2 preferable to the new model, but there's no denying the Pro 3 are a step forward in overall performance. For dedicated iOS users looking for the best Apple earbuds experience, the AirPods Pro 3 are the clear choice.

The AirPods Pro 2 remain a great pair of ANC earbuds: they're very good all-rounders for iOS users, with natural-feeling noise cancellation and Apple's neutral sonic balance. You may not feel the need to rush out and upgrade if you already own a pair, but for new users, it's worth searching for a pair on a discount if you're after flagship features for a cheaper price.

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Apple's long-awaited AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds are finally here and, despite all the contradicting rumours swirling about, the next-gen flagship buds actually come packed with a host of substantial improvements over the last model.

In fact, not only has Apple heaped on cool new features (like live translation), offered a new eartip size, tweaked the design and claimed improved sound quality and ANC on the new Pro 3, it has done all of this without hiking up the price. At all.

This is hugely exciting: I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 ever since they first launched in 2022 with the Lightning connector, and switched to the USB-C model in 2023 – they are my go-to buds for everyday listening.

Three years on, however, the Pro 2 have had stiff competition to face from newer, better-performing flagship rivals from Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Sony and Technics. I will be curious to find out just how much the AirPods Pro 3 have improved, especially in the crucial sound department for us at What Hi-Fi?.

But there are plenty of reasons why I am genuinely hyped about these new AirPods, starting with the surprising price tag...

1. Price

Apple has somewhat buried the lede in the AirPods Pro 3 announcement: the price of the new earbuds will be a whole lot cheaper in the UK.

The AirPods Pro 2 have remained at the same price in the US for the last three years at $249 and the Pro 3 will contine to stick to that price. Good news, right? In the UK, however, the original £249 price dropped to £229 for the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C last year.

And now it has dropped even further.

On the UK pre-order page, you can see the AirPods Pro 3 listed at just £219. That is wildly aggressive pricing for a flagship pair of wireless earbuds from one of the world's biggest tech brands, and also considering the competition. In comparison, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 will cost you £299, the Technics EAH-AZ100 is at £259, while the two-year-old Award-winning Sony WF-1000XM5 has dropped to £219.

It would have been perfectly acceptable for Apple to launch its brand-new flagship earbuds, with all of their new features and updates, at a higher £299/$299 price point – but to undercut the current class-leaders to such an extent is hugely surprising.

It's also very welcome. We all want meaningful updates and cool new features added to our tech, but considering the enduring difficult economic climate, the Pro 3's price remaining unchanged from before – and going even lower in the UK! – is genuinely good news.

2. Improved sound quality

On to the more interesting matter of what new updates we can expect from the AirPods Pro 3, let's start with the one most crucial to What Hi-Fi?: sound quality.

There's no sign of a new H3 chip here; the AirPods Pro 3 continue to use Apple's proprietary H2 chip as the Pro 2, but they have made changes elsewhere to help with sound improvements.

The AirPods Pro 3 have a completely new "multiport acoustic architecture" with more precise airflow control and an inward-facing microphone that points directly into the ear canal. This promises deeper bass, a wider soundstage and "vivid" and clear vocals that are brought "into stunning focus".

Apple's custom-built high-excursion driver and amplifier return and work with the H2 chip to offer three-dimensional sound, "breathtaking" spatial experience and low distortion. Bluetooth 5.3 returns, and as expected, Apple is sticking with the standard AAC codec.

You don't always need entirely new drivers or new codecs to overhaul the sound – just look at the improved tuning of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and countless examples from the world of hi-fi where small tweaks in the circuit can lead to a significant improvement in audio quality.

We are big fans of the Pro 2's spacious, dynamic, fluid and clear sound, but all current rivals have moved the needle forward with even greater clarity, insight and more expressive dynamics. Here's hoping the Pro 3's improved sound quality can catch up to the class leaders.

3. "World's best in-ear ANC"

Apple is clearly gunning for Bose's crown as the king of ANC. The Pro 3 boldly claims to offer the world's best "in-ear" noise-cancelling, as well as eliminating twice as much noise as the Pro 2.

How has Apple done this? There is an upgraded acoustic seal, new ultra-low-noise microphones and advanced computational audio that work together to remove more unwanted sound than before.

Additionally, the AirPods Pro 3 come with five new pairs of eartips, all of which feature a thin layer of soft foam fused to the silicone shell to offer better passive noise isolation. We're not sure what this looks like exactly, but it's a creative way of ensuring greater isolation from the outside world before you've even turned ANC on.

Whether the Pro 3 will be as or more effective than Bose at noise-cancelling in daily life remains to be seen, but it's certainly fighting talk. I like how natural the AirPods Pro 2 sound even in full ANC mode and they are quite good at dealing with sudden, harsh spikes in noise, but Bose is still better at shaving off even more frequencies, especially in the mid and low frequencies. Will the Pro 3 level up in these areas?

Voice calls should be clearer, too, while a more personalised Transparency mode means voices (your own and those speaking to you) should sound more natural than before in this mode.

4. Longer battery life – with a caveat

This one's pretty simple: the single-charge battery life on the earbuds has gone up from six to eight hours, with ANC turned on.

It's even better news for those using the AirPods Pro 3 hearing aid feature with Transparency mode on, as this will offer 10 hours of playback time on a single charge.

The total battery life with the USB-C charging case, however, is now 24 hours – it used to be 30 hours total on the Pro 2. It might be that the earbuds themselves go for longer so there's less need to draw on reserves from the charging case, but real-life use will tell if there is a genuine increase or drop in overall battery management.

Looking at the specifications, it looks like the charging case is a tiny bit bigger but lighter here, and features a new U2 chip that promises more precise location tracking.

5. Smaller, more ergonomic fit and new eartip sizes

Apple must have learnt some lessons when it redesigned the AirPods 4 to improve the fit for more people. It's hard to tell from photos alone, but the AirPods 4's shape did feel considerably changed in person – we are hoping that the Pro 3's more ergonomic fit will make sense when we hold them in person and compare with the Pro 2.

In any case, Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 are smaller and reshaped so that the eartips now rotate inwards – promising a more secure fit.

Coupled with that are a new set of XXS size eartips, making that five sizes of eartips in total – which is pretty generous as many rivals still only offer three sizes. Not to be picky, but a larger XL tip size would've been welcomed by some on our review team.

6. Live translation, heart-rate sensors and more

Here are a bunch of new features that, while not essential, are still very useful and simply cool additions in these next-gen AirPods Pro buds.

Heart rate monitoring sensors are added and, coupled with a new IP57 rating for sweat- and water-resistance (up from IP54 in previous generations), are sure to appeal to fitness fanatics and for those monitoring your health and workouts.

I've also spotted a new camera control button on the touch-capacitive stems, which should let you take photos and videos on your iPhone from afar.

And finally, live translation is the feature everyone has been waiting for all year. This feature isn't just available for the Pro 3 – it's also coming to the Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC, as long as you use it with an Apple Intelligence-powered iPhone running on iOS 26.

Supporting English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish languages at first, you can turn translation mode on by pinching both stems of the 'Pods – allowing real-time translation of languages it recognises to be spoken back to you, provided both parties are using compatible AirPods. For only one AirPods user, the translation will show up as live transcripts on your iPhone, but it should still allow you to speak in a natural conversation.

Put them all together, these are considerable updates that all add up to a next-generation experience – it's certainly an exciting update with plenty to explore, and all of this for no increase in price at all for the AirPods Pro 3 is still blowing my mind.

Of course, we'll need a review sample and thorough testing time to see how the new wireless earbuds fare in daily use and against their strong rivals – it should be interesting.

MORE:

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I've never owned a pair of AirPods – but the AirPods Pro 3 could be about to change all that

The iPhone 17 Pro looks great, but the standard iPhone 17's screen upgrades mean it’s probably all a cinephile needs

While it may seem as wilfully anti-establishment as claiming never to have seen Star Wars or eaten at McDonalds, I can proudly state that, with some major caveats, I've never owned a pair of Apple AirPods.

Yes, in fairness, I've had the pleasure of owning a set of the brand's wired in-ear headphones that were supplied gratis with every new iPod Touch or iPhone, but those days are long gone. In terms of the brand's wireless in-ears, I'm still yet to become a part of the white-budded cult (with a small 'c').

The just-unveiled AirPods Pro 3, though, could be about to change my mind. I've always been of the opinion that the best buds are to be found outside of Apple's stable, be it the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Technics EAH-AZ100 or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra (Gen 2).

They're just sonically superior, with the Technics and Sony in particular offering the finest sound and the Bose leading the way for ANC.

That all said, the AirPods Pro 2 were the closest evidence we've seen that Apple can mix it up with the big boys, while the claims of these latest third-gen buds have me questioning whether it might be time to join Tim Cook's extremely extended family.

Class leading sound?

We called the AirPods Pro 2 the best wireless earbuds Apple had ever made, and while the AirPods 4 with ANC weren't quite up to par with their rivals, the flagship Pro line appears to be where the Californian tech titan does its best work.

The AirPods Pro 2 sound great, and having heard them after a kind colleague gave me a short-term loan (that doesn't count as ownership), I could certainly hear the appeal.

The third-gen buds promise "breakthrough audio performance" thanks to their improved sound quality, while better spatial listening only sweetens the deal.

Better battery life, rising from six hours to eight hours with ANC, is an appealing prospect, as is ANC that could see the Pro 3 tackle the might of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).

The perfect fit?

For me, the upcoming buds offer two further trump cards. First, their tweaked design and streamlined ergonomics promise a better fit, and that could be great for what Apple bills as the world's "most popular workout buds".

With an IP57 rating and a sensor for sensing your heart rate during workouts, the Pro 3 could be the replacement for my Beats Fit Pro I've been waiting for.

Plus, they're designed to work within the Apple ecosystem, something that my current Beats buds do so well. That new live translation feature also looks awesome, though it does make me question why I spent five years trying to learn Spanish. Dios Mio!

Integration within Apple's own fitness 'Health' suite is hugely appealing (I love a tracking metric), and having those sporty features from a pair of buds that sound great (we hope) and don't require a third-party app gives them the edge over key rivals.

The price is right

And the most tempting factor? The price. The outgoing AirPods Pro 2 cost £229 / £249 / AU£399 at launch, and while we feared a price hike, the Pro 3 will arrive with those figures remaining the same at $249 in the US (other territories TBC).

We'll need to get the Pro 3 in for review to know their actual sonic credentials, but flagship performance that undercuts the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (£300 / $299 / AU$450) and Technics EAH-AZ100 (£259 / $299 / AU$499)? I could be about to jump to the good ship Apple...

MORE: Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review

iPhone 17: price predictions, spec rumours and all the features we expect to see

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It's official: the AirPods Pro 3 are finally here.

Apple has unveiled the next generation of its flagship wireless earbuds at its 'Awe dropping' event today, 9th September. The new AirPods Pro 3 succeed the five-star AirPods Pro 2, after three long years since they first launched.

We are promised "breakthrough audio performance", a refined design that promises better fit than before, longer battery life, and improved ANC that promises to be twice as effective as that on the Pro 2.

Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 promise a considerable step up in sound quality, including "breathtaking spatial listening". We are promised a sound that "brings vocals into stunning focus", along with transformed bass response, and a widened soundstage.

The Pro 3 feature a "custom multi-port acoustic architecture, which precisely controls the airflow that carries sound into the ear.”

In terms of active noise-cancelling, Apple is taking aim at Bose in wanting to offer the world's best ANC performance, with ultra-low noise mics and advanced computational audio claiming double the ANC quality as on the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple says the Pro 3 are four times as effective at eliminating noise compared with the original AirPods Pro.

We also get new foam-infused eartips to improve passive noise isolation.

Battery life has been extended, too. A single charge with ANC turned on gives you eight hours of battery life, up from six hours on the previous generation. This expands to 10 hours on a single charge when in transparency mode, which is especially useful for those using the AirPods as hearing aids.

The wireless earbuds themselves have been redesigned and reshaped to be better-fitting. Over 10,000 3D ear cans were analysed to optimise the fit, making them smaller than before.

The Pro are set to be the "most stable and best-fitting" AirPods ever, claims Apple, and they now come with five different sizes of eartips to help, including a new XXS size.

Water- and sweat-resistance has been updated to an IP57 rating, and there is a small sensor in the earbuds that senses your heart rate during workouts. The hotly anticipated live translation feature powered by Apple Intelligence has been introduced in the Pro 3, too.

The AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order now, with global shipping from 19th September. Most importantly, the price has remained the same at $249. Even better for those in the UK, the AirPods Pro 3 are going to cost lower than before, at £219.

The outgoing AirPods Pro 2 cost £229 / £249 / AU£399 at launch, so the new Pro 3's price being so competitive while its rivals are closer to £300/$300 is quite impressive.

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I'm hyped about the AirPods Pro 3 for 6 key reasons – starting with their price

The hour is finally upon us, after months of pre-launch rumours and an entire day summarising them in this very live blog, Apple’s fabled “Awe Dropping” event has finally started.

And on hand as promised, What Hi-Fi?'s team audio-visual experts are feverishly covering all the announcements to come out of it relevant to our hi-fi and home cinema aficionado readership live.

Keep track of all the news in the feed below and make sure to get involved with the conversation, dropping any questions you have for the team in the comments section. We’ll do our absolute best to get them answered ASAP.

Quick links

• Everything we expect from the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro
• All the latest AirPods Pro 3 rumours
• What we hope to see from the Apple HomePod Mini 2
• These are the current industry rumblings about the Apple AirPods Max 2
• Will there be a new Apple TV 4K 2025? Here’s a summary of the current rumours

What to expect from the iPhone 17

Apple events always come with some chaos factor. This has been part of the firm’s DNA since the Steve Jobs era, with the deceased co-founder and former CEO famously always having “one more thing” to show off at the firm’s launch events.

So, even with the sea of pre-event rumours and our knowledge of the firm’s previous release strategies to go off, we’re not ruling out at least one or two surprises coming out of the event. However, there are a few products we’re particularly convinced will appear.

The biggest is the firm’s newest iPhone 17 line of smartphones. Outside of rare exceptions, Apple has launched its new handsets in the same September window for as long as we’ve been covering them and we can’t see that changing this year, especially given current industry rumblings.

Why is that a big deal? Because if you jump to our best phones for music and movie fans you’ll see a lot of Apple handsets in the list.

Why? Because they tend to offer the best audio and picture quality year-on-year. That was certainly the case with the iPhone 16 Pro when we reviewed it, with its audio in particular making it the most musically minded options for serious fans who don’t fancy investing in a portable player.

However, the two biggest rumours we’ve heard relevant to our audience, don’t actually discuss the new handsets’ expected audio upgrades.

Instead they forecast potential price increases across the range. There are also growing rumours about a potential new foldable iPhone, sometimes referred to as the iPhone 17 Air to take on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and for movie fans’ attention.

The AirPods Pro 3

The second product most Apple-watchers are predicting is a new set of AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds.

This move would make sense with Apple having launched the AirPods 4 with ANC alongside the iPhone 16 last September and its current AirPods Pro 2 are getting a little long in the tooth.

However, while many rumour mills are suggesting its a done deal with the AirPods Pro 3, be warned there are some naysayers with a strong track record predicting Apple release strategies saying they won’t appear at the event.

Analyst Jeff Pu suggests they may not come in 2025 at all, suggesting the firm may do a dedicated launch in 2026 for them.

Regardless of if they appear at the event, one thing the experts at What Hi-Fi? are confident of is that they will be an evolution, rather than rethinking, of the firm’s Pro earbuds line.

As our deputy editor Andy Madden, said earlier this year, we’re expecting a similar design with reworked internals, including a modernised wireless chipset, USB C charging and improved “digital ANC” – not a completely rethought product.

Will that be enough to compete in the increasingly accomplished market which has seen amazing new sets, including the five-star Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) launch in the past year?

We won’t know until the AirPods Pro 3 are actually unveiled and we get a chance to hear them. But considering Apple’s strong track-record in the market we can’t help but get a little excited to see new premium AirPods try.

What about the Apple HomePod Mini 2?

Cards on the table, many of the audio team at What Hi-Fi? want to see a new HomePod Mini as much as the rest of you – the original is a cute unit that fits the bill when it comes to feeding the need for more small, great sound audio hardware to help get people into hi-fi.

But, from what we’ve seen in the pre-release rumours and based on our conversations with our sources, it’s not clear cut if a HomePod Mini 2 will launch later today.

This leaves us slightly nervous as analysts have already made numerous predictions about the units prediction, only to subsequently be proven wrong. The biggest was when, usually on the money, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrongly predicted the unit would launch in the second half of 2024. Fool us once etc…

If it does appear, which some optimists still hope it will, there are numerous rumours about what upgrades it will have doing the rounds.

The only consistent ones are generally common sense, promising upgrades to a newer chipset (the same seen in the current generation Apple Watch), better WiFi 6E connectivity and the smattering of Apple Intelligence AI upgrades pretty much every new tech from the firm gets.

While we’d personally like to see some audio upgrades, given Apple’s tendency to keep information on things like the drivers used and nitty gritty of its designs under wraps we’re going to reserve judgment on any changes here until we actually see and hear one.

Meet the team covering the Apple launch

What about the AirPods Max 2?

The AirPods Max 2 have been rumoured for quite a while now, with Apple clearly happy to take its time releasing a truly second generation pair of premium, wireless, over-ear headphones.

The closest it has come was last year when it gave the original generation a minor spruce, adding USB C charging. Though often referred to as Max 2, these are technically just the originals modified, with Apple still referring to them as AirPods Max on its store.

For the actual, true second generation information is thin on the ground. Even the most optimistic reports we’ve seen suggest next year, or even 2027, as the most likely launch date for a true successor to the AirPods Max. We’re not expecting to see them at today’s event, as a result.

Will there be a new Apple TV?

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) has long been the streaming box the What Hi-Fi? team recommends for buyers looking for the best movie and audio quality possible.

The reason why is simple, it offers superior performance that’s a cut above any of the, admittedly usually cheaper, Amazon, Roku or Google rivals we’ve tested it against.

But, it is getting a little old, which is why, despite rumours suggesting a new Apple TV won’t appear at the event, some of the team remain hopeful an upgrade will appear soon.

Sadly, concrete rumours about what specific upgrades a new box would bring remain vague at best, with the only semi-regular one being it will have an integrated camera and upgraded chipset.

We’d also expect some upgrades to its WiFi connectivity and potentially support for the newly announced Dolby Vision 2 / Max HDR standard, given Apple track record in the space.

But, like a lot of the pre-event rumours we’ll only know the precise details when and if Apple unveils a new Apple TV 4K 2025.

2 things we want, but 100 per cent won’t see tonight

We all have things we want in life that may never happen and right now there are two bits of Apple tech that fall into that category for the What Hi-Fi? Team.

The first comes from our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons. Specifically, he’s been calling for Apple to make a proper Dolby Atmos soundbar for many moons now. And to be fair to him, while there are no rumours whatsoever indicating this is in the works, it makes sense.

Apple’s current HomePod 2 speakers have a stereo home cinema mode that lets two of them work in tandem with the Apple TV 4K to great effect. We even penned a feature detailing how well the setup works when we first reviewed the HomePod 2 at launch.

But, a proper dedicated soundbar focussed on delivering a home cinema experience first and foremost would be awesome – especially if it targeted the same top of the line, industry leading space currently ruled by the KEF XIO we tested earlier this year.

The second is one myself and senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, have long discussed: an actual Apple TV.

Apple has a strong track record with display tech, especially OLED, with its tandem OLED tech winning a What Hi-Fi? Award and being a key reason the current Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) is the best tablet available for movie fans. So it would be great to see it take the same know how and use it to make a proper TV.

Sadly, like the Apple soundbar Tom wants, there are no rumours, even the vague kind, suggesting this is planned or even on the firm’s radar. At this rate we’re more likely to see a car or pair of glasses with Apple’s branding first.

Will we see the hotly rumoured HomePod with a screen?

Words by What Hi-Fi? contributor Esat Dedezade

If you’ve been anxiously refreshing this page all day to see if any new snippets may have leaked ahead of the Apple event, you will have noticed our previous speculation on the potential reveal of a new HomePod Mini 2.

Well, there’s plenty more hopium where that came from. What about an ultra-surprising, One More Thing reveal of the – wait for it – Apple HomePod with a screen?!

That’s right, the Apple rumour mill has long teased us with secretive whispers of a screen-toting HomePod smart speaker to rival the likes of the Amazon Echo Show 10 and co.

The possibilities are endless. You could see the weather at a glance! Your photos could be displayed for all the world to see.

Visible prices on your ill-advised crypto meme coins could be but a voice command away. But before you praise the Cupertino engineers for the graciousness, bear in mind that when we last covered this rumour, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (who has a very reliable track record when it comes to Apple news and rumours), stated that the HomePod with screen could “... finally hit the market by the end of this year at the earliest…”

And if that doesn’t fill you with much confidence, he also stated that it remains “up in the air.”Now, are we going to sit here and categorically state that we definitely won’t see a HomePod with a screen make a surprise appearance tonight?

No. There’d be no fun in that.But as with most Apple rumours, it’s best to tentatively manage expectations and be happy with whatever ‘magical’ items do grace the stage. Not long to go now, at least…

The AirPods Pro 3 could be a damp squib if this rumour comes true

Words by What Hi-Fi? contributor, Joe Svetlik

Ever since the AirPods Pro 2 became the first Apple earbuds to earn five stars from us, our expectations have been high. All of a sudden, Apple could compete with the best wireless earbuds around!

Watch out, Sony and Bose! But earlier today I had my expectations dashed from a great height courtesy of Apple analyst Mark Gurman.

Why? He posted that the AirPods Pro 3 won’t feature any major upgrades to either noise cancellation nor sound quality.

Instead, we’ll get heart rate tracking courtesy of LED optical sensors. It’s thought to work just like the feature already found on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (which are also made by Apple).

Talk about disappointing.

The AirPods Pro 2 have very good sound quality and noise cancellation, even compared to more recent rival pairs. But they’re three years old now. The fiercely competitive world of wireless earbuds has moved on, and will only keep advancing.

If Apple keeps these buds on the shelves for three years – as it did with both previous models of AirPods Pro – they will be sorely lacking quite soon.

All hope is not lost. Previous rumours said the AirPods Pro 3 would have “much better” ANC than their predecessors.

And Gurman himself has said he expects a new H3 chip to feature, which could bring some modest upgrades to both sound and ANC.

But considering that Bose overhauled the ANC for its recent QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and that Sony’s much anticipated WF-1000XM6 are said to be launching soon (probably with some serious improvements to core areas), I can’t see this move as anything other than a step backwards by Apple.

It could prove to be wrong, of course. But Gurman has a solid track record of Apple predictions. And it’s unlikely he would go on record just 24 hours before the launch with a statement he wasn’t 100 per cent sure about.We can but hope…

Our senior staff writer's hot take on our chances of seeing a new Apple TV 4K

Words by What Hi-Fi? senior staff writer, Lewis Empson

Will we see the Apple TV 4K (2025) today? I’m setting myself up for disappointment with today’s Apple Event.

My fingers are still crossed for a new 4K streamer, after Apple has left its previous model to gather dust for the last three years.The current version, that being the Apple TV 4K (2022), is still an exceptional streamer, and one that I’ve endorsed countless times.

I’ve even called it “comfortably the best streamer on the market”, which is a sentiment I stand by, and the Google TV Streamer did little to challenge its title.

That being said, a new model is at the top of my wishlist, and there have been plenty of rumours hinting towards a new model for many months now.

Reports of a new model with an updated processor sound logical to me, as the current model uses the same A15 Bionic processor that launched on the iPhone 13 series – for reference, we’re about to see the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series.

A speedier processor that’s compatible with Apple Intelligence would be a nice start, and that will likely carry some under-the-hood picture and sound improvements too.

The big question surrounds the recent announcement of Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby Vision 2 Max. Will Apple be the first to adopt the new HDR standard with the new version of its streamer? It’s certainly championed Dolby Vision on its iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, so it would make sense for the company to introduce the latest version to its streamers.

I’ve already gotten ahead of myself here, as the likelihood that Apple will disrupt its iPhone and AirPods showcase to give the Apple TV 4K any airtime is, realistically, very low.

There are mutterings of another Apple Event slated for later in the year involving iPads and Macs, which could be a better fit for the Apple TV 4K. As for now, I’m beginning to come to terms with the fact that a new Apple TV 4K being revealed in the next few hours is very unlikely (but not impossible).

Apple's event livestream is up and running with the firm playing a pre-made video showing off all its current hardware, including the HomePod and AirPods. We're hoping to get a look at the fabled AirPods Pro 3 nice and early in the keynote, so keep watching this space!

And the big man, Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken charge, doing an opening speech focussed on selling Apple's "design" focussed philosophy. He's also already confirmed there will be new AirPods related news as well iPhones as expected. Here's hoping we don't have to wait much longer for more details.

"AirPods are the best and most popular headphones in the world."

"The deliver a magical musical experience."

"Today we're building on our innovations in audio technology with the next generation of AirPods Pro"

Three quotes direct from Tim Cook.

Tim Cook has handed over to Apple VP hardware an engineering Kate Bergeron to tell us more.

Custom new acoustic architecture, designed for wider sound stage and better bass response.

New improved ANC with foam infused eartips for better isolation -- 2x better than the Pro 2 and 4x better than the original Pro earbuds according to her.

Apple claims they have "the best ANC of any in-ear headphones".

There's also Live Translation, powered by Apple intelligence. It can apparently be turned on with a simple hand gesture using their capacitive controls.

Improved fit is also a focus for the new earbuds -- they did 100k hours of "research" on ear shapes to improve their shape and new tip sizes (five to be precise). IP57 water resistance has also been confirmed for gym goers.

Apple Senior Director Julz Arney, has taken the keynote over to talk about the AirPods Pro 3's fitness features. These included in ear heartbeat tracking.

With just the AirPods Pro 3 you can track over 50 workouts as well as things like calories burned -- cool, but we'd like more about audio improvements...

And we have Kate back... Longer battery life, from six up to eight hours listening with ANC on. 10 hours with transparency.

So in summary:

New tip options.

8 hours listening with ANC (two hours more than the Pro 2).

$249 price tag available from September 19.

"World's best ANC" and improved "exceptional sound" -- sadly no details other than minor bits about better bass response and a wider sound stage.

IP57 water resistance certification and onboard fitness and heartrate tracking.

And if you're wondering what the "new" design, that took over 100,000 hours of research to make looks like, this is it...

We've now moved on to learn more about the Apple Watch, though once again the focus appears to be on fitness and health tracking.

Apple VP Stan Ng has taken stage to talk about Apple Watch Series 11, its "thinnest to date". Apparently atomic bonding techniques with the glass and metal make it 2x more scratch resistant. 5G connectivity has also been added. Watch OS26 is also included, which seems to have a new UI design and AI focus like its iOS counterpart. And as expected, loads and loads and loads of health tracking features.

We've now moved on to a new Apple Watch SE 3. There are still no updates on any audio improvements for it.

We all love health stuff, but here's some more pictures of the AirPods Pro 3. Do you think that looks like the result of 100,000 hours of research to improve the design?

Other than that we're back to a new Apple Watch Ultra. Swish, but still very fitness focussed.

All the new models set to launch on September 19. We are back to CEO Tim Cook, which hints we're about to get the big reveal...

Apparently iPhone set a new standard for the whole industry and "today we're raising the bar once again."

Four new models of the iPhone 17 have been confirmed. At first glance, they all look very iPhone-like.

More details incoming from Apple VP, Kaiann Drannce. Five colours; lavender, mist blue, black and sage.

All models, inculding the base iPhone 17 will have Promotion (120Hz / VRR).

3000 nits peak maximum brightness on the base model as well.

Ceramic Shield 2, which is 3x more scratch resistant is also included.

Seven layer anti-reflective coating is on board too -- nice for movie fans.

Also, A19 chipset with an upgraded Promotion engine and improved 16-core neural engine and more memory bandwidth for AI workloads. Also 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores and a five core GPU for graphics intensive tasks. Cool, but mostly for gamers. We're not getting any information on audio or home cinema improvements outside of the anti-reflective tone.

There's a promise of "all day battery" and much longer video playback, even with Promotion. 10 mins of charging also apparently gives you 10 hours of video playback. Useful for long train rides and plane rides!

Two lens main camera -- 48MP Fusion Ultrawide main and 12MP secondary macro on the base iPhone 17.

Apparently Apple fans took 500bn selfies last year. So they've made the front camera better, with a wider field of view and square sensor that's "twice the size" of the iPhone 16's front camera. This is cool, but again we're keen to learn more about audio upgrades and if the screen has been upgraded to feature things like better HDR support -- though the biggie, Dolby Vision 2/Max almost certainly won't appear on phones until next year at the earliest.

Seeing as it was only unveiled at IFA last week and we still don't know the names of which TVs will have it.

Apparently the front camera is called "Centre Stage".

The 6.3-inch, display with Promotion and a 3000nit peak brightness are the big news for home cinema fans. Hopefully we'll get to put it through its paces soon -- the iPhone 16 remains one of the best for mobile movie viewing at its level, based on our testing.

So, the iPhone Air is here, but it doesn't look like it's a foldable. Just really thin at 5.6mm...

Same Promotion screen tech and 3000nit peak brightness as the iPhone 17. But it's thinner and lighter.

Cool, but not as nice as the iPhone/iPad Mini hybrid pre-event rumours suggested for movie fans.

Even with the new A19 Pro chipset. 6-cores and "the fastest CPU in any smartphone", at least according to Apple.

The 5-core GPU also has a more AI, because that's what we need in our lives right now (3x the compute power, letting the Air offer Macbook level computing in a phone according to Apple).

There's also a new Apple wireless modem and chipset with WiFi 7 connectivity called the C1X.

No word on battery level, but Apple's calling it its most energy efficient iPhone to date.

Now onto camera tech...

48MP Fusion camera system onboard that "looks like a single sensor" setup -- even by Apple's admission.

Oh it's eSIM only! Apparently to improve battery... specifically helping it apparently offer "all day battery life".

There are also new add ons for the Air, including a magsafe battery pack which lets it offer over 40 hours of video playback.

There's also a magsafe rear case and bumper case for it.

Tim Cook is back and here to talk about the iPhone 17 Pro -- the follow up to the premium iPhone 16 Pro we've tested and recommend to premium buyers looking for a great handset for movies and music.

There's a new design and same A19 Pro seen on the Air. Here's a couple of pics!

Apple's describing it as the most powerful iPhone ever, helped by a new more thermally efficient design. The Thermal Management system has a vapour chamber designed to move heat away from the core components.

20x more efficient metal alloy for better thermals too. So all-in-all hopefully it doesn't overhear, even when binging Slow Horses.

40 per cent better performance than the 16 Pro is being quoted, which is great for gamers. But still no word on the AV bits we care about. Fingers crossed they come soon...

Nope, they're talking about a more rugged Ceramic Shield back and Ceramic Shield 2 front.

But the anti-reflective coating mentioned earlier for the iPhone 17 is confirmed.

It's also eSIM only.

Battery life is quoted as 39 hours of video playback. So enough for a trip to Australia

And we're back to camera specifications. On the front there;s an 18MP Centre Stage with a wider field of view and same atypical square design.

Three 48MP sensors on the back, all Fusion.

So if you want to MAKE movies, that's a bonus as we've also spotted Dolby Vision 4K recording, like past iPhones on the promotional material.

We've started getting our full news stories out for the AirPods Pro 3. But as an added bonus our senior staff writer has also penned a hot take detailing why these may be the Apple earbuds that tempt him away from his much loved Sony and B&W sets...

Here's our full news story on the Apple AirPods 3 Pro, detailing all the changes and new features!

Read the full story: AirPods Pro 3 launch with "breakthrough audio performance", improved ANC and longer battery life

So in summary, here are all of the iPhone 17 Pro's confirmed specifications...

And here's pricing for the new iPhones.

And that's a wrap! We've had the AirPods Pro 3 and iPhone 17 line of handsets (including the confusingly named new iPhone 17 Air). But no new HomePods or Apple TV hardware as expected. Stay tuned as we're typing up our full news stories and opening impressions and will drop them here ASAP!

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Starting off our summary of the event are the AirPods Pro 3. These were expected to appear at the event thanks to a steady stream of rumours in the run up to the show. And as expected by our team, including Apple soothsayer / deputy editor, Andy Madden, they are an evolution rather than revolution for the firm's Pro series of earbuds.

Key upgrades include new tip options (five to be precise), improved ANC, a tweak design based off "100,000 hours of research" designed to let them offer a better fit and seal and enhanced audio and ANC performance.

Read the full story: AirPods Pro 3 launch with "breakthrough audio performance", improved ANC and longer battery life

Despite not being a "huge" upgrade, the changes look very positive and have led to a positive opening reaction from many of our headphone and earbud reviewers. These include senior staff writer, Harry McKerrell, who penned a feature detailing why the AirPods Pro 3 are tempting him away from established rivals, where past Apple earbuds failed to.

Read the full story: I've never owned a pair of AirPods – but the AirPods Pro 3 could be about to change all that

All the details on the iPhone 17

As was expected and is the norm, Apple used its September event to unveil its latest smartphones. In this specific instance the new iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and Air.

That's four new handsets.

The biggest changes to the base iPhone 17 are the addition of Apple's ProMotion 120Hz/VRR screen technology as well as upgraded silicon and a new 3000 nits peak brightness.

Above it the 17's Pro siblings come with more advanced, four sensor camera setups, more premium designs, larger batteries and a more powerful A19 Pro chipset. Not much word on audio upgrades on any of them, but Apple often keeps quiet on any changes its made here during its events.

Based on our experience reviewing new iPhones, were we directly compare old and new models, trust us when we say, that doesn't mean Apple hasn't made improvements.

Read the full story: Apple officially announces the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro with brighter OLED displays and massive battery life upgrades

The iPhone 17 Air was one of the bigger surprises of the event. Though rumours suggested one with the new naming would appear, the general consensus was that it would be a foldable, similar in kind to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Instead it's a thinner, admittedly very sleek variant of the 17.

Read the full story: The Apple iPhone Air promises the firm's advanced screen and audio tech in a thinner body

What wasn't at the event?

Despite lifting the lid on quite a lot of new hardware there were a few notable no shows at Apple's latest event.

The first was the Apple HomePod Mini 2 many of the What Hi-Fi? team have been hoping to see for well over a year, with the five-star original beginning to look a little long in the tooth.

After yet another year of disappointment at its absence, our senior staff writer, Harry McKerrell penned an oped detailing why he wants to see the Mini 2 appear sooner rather than later.

This includes a wishlist of some much need connectivity and general quality of life upgrades alongside the always welcome sonic improvements we look for...

Read the full story: Apple's 2025 event gave us some massive reveals – but there's one still one launch I'm gutted wasn't there...

Our TV and AV expert's hot take

Yes, we admit, for AV fanatics Apple's iPhone 17 line didn't have quite as much "meat" on the bones as we'd like when it came to cool new stuff to make movies sing.

But, as noted by our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, who has reviewed iPhones since they first became a thing, that doesn't mean they won't still be excellent, or feature some surprise upgrades Apple didn't mention during the event.

As we know having compared multiple new iPhone models to their predecessors over the years, Apple loves to surprise us... On top of that, based on our experience with the 16 line, even if the base 17 isn't a huge upgrade, it would still be a fantastic handset for movie watching given the current state of the market and upgrades Apple has mentioned already.

Read the full story: The iPhone 17 Pro looks great, but the standard iPhone 17's screen upgrades mean it’s probably all a cinephile needs

Sometimes incremental improvements are all you need

Tom wasn't alone with his believe that despite not changing loads, the iPhone 17's screen upgrades COULD still be a big deal, if they work in the real world when we get one into our viewing rooms. So much so that regular contributor, Joe Svetlik, has already started considering a potential upgrade...

Read the full story: The iPhone 17's 120Hz screen could finally convince me it's time to upgrade

Another no show for the new Apple TV 4K

One other key no show at this year's iPhone event was the hotly anticipated new Apple TV 4K many home cinema fans, including our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, have been waiting for. And if you're like him, while the lack of a new model isn't surprising, it's still incredibly disappointing

Read the full story: Apple dodges upgrading its Apple TV 4K streamer yet again – I'm not surprised, but I am losing patience

Apple made some big claims about the new AirPods Pro 3's ANC

ANC is an area Apple has a good, but not the best track record at. In fact, if you talked to most pundits they'd probably rightly or wrongly think of Bose first when asked about the tech. But that didn't stop it making some big claims about the new AirPods Pro 3's ANC powers. Tim Cook went so far as to describe them as the "best ANC in-ear headphones" when it comes to ANC performance. Of course we'll check that claim when we review them. But should rivals be worried about Apple's bold claims? Here's what our deputy editor, Andy Madden, has to say on the topic as our resident wireless earbuds expert.

Read the full story: Apple is gunning for Bose with the AirPods Pro 3, and I’m here for that battle

Mark your calendar – Apple has officially announced its annual September launch event for Tuesday 9th September at 10AM Pacific Time (6PM BST / 3AM AEST the following day).

The event will stream live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, combining in-person attendance with global broadcast access.

The event's “Awe dropping” strap provides very little to go on (beyond Apple’s usual hype, at least), though there’s little doubt that the new iPhone 17 series will be the star of the show.

Apple's autumn events have consistently served as the main platform for iPhone reveals since 2011, and this year's smartphone lineup is expected to include the standard iPhone 17 alongside the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

Oh, and let’s not forget the rumoured iPhone 17 Air, described in various reports as Apple's thinnest iOS device to date, though nothing has been confirmed by the tech giant to date.

Beyond the shiny new handsets, we could potentially see the long-awaited next-generation flagship wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, make an appearance, alongside an updated HomePod Mini 2. Naturally, this is all hopeful speculation on our part, but there’s no harm in that – we look forward to finding out if any of these products are confirmed in two weeks.

The Apple Watch lineup also typically receives updates during September's launch event, with industry experts anticipating the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Various reports have suggested potential new health monitoring features and processing improvements, though nothing has been officially confirmed.

And, well, that’s all we know for now. We’ve circled the date, and will keep an ear to the door of the incessant Apple rumour mill to bring you any more news or rumours in the run-up to the big day. Stay tuned.

MORE:

iPhone 17: price predictions, spec rumours and all the features we expect to see

iPhone 17 Air preview: everything we know so far about Apple's impossibly thin phone

AirPods Pro 3: everything we know so far and 5 features we want from Apple's next flagship wireless earbuds

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the Apple TV 4K really is a great streamer. Sure, it's geared more towards those already within the Apple ecosystem, but we can't deny its sensational picture and sound credentials.

On top of that, we think it has the best operating system out of all the streaming platforms. Advertisements are practically nonexistent, and the clean, simple home screen isn't bogged down with clutter such as 'suggested content' that, in reality, all too often has nothing to do with your interests or viewing habits.

The only issue I have is that it's been three years since we've seen a new model, despite countless rumours hinting that Apple is indeed working on one. I'm getting tired of waiting.

Thankfully, we're getting closer and closer to Apple's huge annual hardware (iPhone) event, which usually takes place in September. This is where we expect to see the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro break cover, and potentially even the heavily rumoured iPhone 17 Air.

Furthermore, Apple often takes this opportunity to launch iPhone-adjacent products, such as new Apple Watches and AirPods. That's why I have my hopes set high for a new Apple TV 4K announcement this year.

Reliable Apple-focused publication MacRumours seems to think I could be in luck, as it has just reported on some leaked Apple code that mentions a new Apple TV 4K with an A17 Pro processor.

This processor was first featured on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and has recently found a new home in the refreshed iPad Mini 7th Generation. Interestingly, that chipset supports Apple Intelligence, so we could see Apple introduce AI on the latest edition of the streamer.

Google recently took this approach by infusing the Google TV Streamer with the power of its Gemini AI platform, so we could see Apple take a similar approach. But that's about all we've heard about the rumoured streamer for now.

So, what would I like to see in a brand new Apple TV for 2025?

Here's what I want to see on the next-gen Apple TV 4K...

First and foremost, I'd like to see another step up in picture and sound quality.

The difference between the 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation Apple TV 4Ks wasn't night and day, but as is often the case, there were a handful of subtle changes that made the newer version of the streamer even better than before.

A big issue with the current generation model, and one I wasn't aware of until FlatpanelsHD brought it to my attention, is the lack of HDR10+ support on Netflix.

This is a recent change, as the streamer has only adopted the format in the last couple of months, but a hardware limitation prevents the current Apple TV 4K from decoding the dynamic HDR format on content from the popular streaming service.

This is due to Netflix attaching HDR10+ to its programming via the AV1 codec, which was created by the AOMedia alliance, of which Apple is a member.

Despite the Apple TV 4K being able to decode the AV1 codec at a software level, it doesn't have the capability to do it at a hardware level, preventing it from displaying Netflix content in HDR10+.

This, of course, only affects a small subset of Apple TV 4K users that have the streamer connected to a Samsung TV, as they don't support Dolby Vision. Got all that?

That being said, it feels like an easy upgrade for the next version of the streamer, and well worth doing, as I'm sure we'll see more upgrades come via the AV1 codec in the future.

My other wish would be for Apple to bundle an improved remote control in the box.

Now, I'm already a fan of the premium metal-clad handset with its clicky buttons and capacitive touch pad for touch controls, but it's not entirely perfect.

Backlit buttons would be a fantastic addition and while I do like the touch pad, I find that it can be a bit fiddly for media controls, which is why I'd appreciate some dedicated fast-forward and rewind buttons.

We still don't know if we're getting a new Apple TV 4K this year, but if we do, I hope it comes with these small but significant upgrades. I've got my fingers tightly crossed for a reveal next month.

MORE:

Read our full Apple TV 4K (2022) review

And check out our picks for the best streaming devices

As well as the best streaming services for movies and TV shows

It seems as though everybody makes wireless earbuds these days. It’s not just dedicated audio manufacturers that send their wire-free hopefuls out to bat, but an absolute swathe of brands which, whether best known for their swanky smartphones or even their stylish sportswear (we’re looking at you, Adidas), want a slice of that tasty wireless pie.

Apple remains the dominant force, but the likes of Samsung and Google are built to fit with their respective tech giants’ given range of branded smartphones, be it the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro 3 with Samsung’s flagship Galaxy range or Google’s series of in-house Pixel buds.

Then there’s Huawei. The Chinese juggernaut has been making dedicated earbuds since 2018, and while the results have been mixed, you could never accuse them of playing it safe – just look at the sonically flawed but innovative open design of the Huawei FreeClip for proof.

What we have here are some of Huawei’s costliest and most highly specified earbuds to date. If any pair is going to convince us that this is a company capable of producing great wireless earbuds, it’s going to be the FreeBuds Pro 4, but do they have the sonic talents to compete?

Price

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 sit in an interesting tranche within the wireless earbuds market.

Officially priced at £180 / $200 / AU$350 and now available for around £130 in the UK, they’re below the premium territory occupied by the Sony WF-1000XM5 (now around £219 / $299 / AU$350) and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (tested at £249 / $249 / AU$399).

However, they sit above the likes of the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 (currently £119 / $200) and the five-star affordable Sony WF-C710N (£100 / $120 / AU$189). So there’s a real opportunity to make an impact in this mid-range bracket.

Build & comfort

Style and build quality have rarely been areas in which we’ve considered Huawei needs to dramatically improve in order to rub shoulders with the best in the business.

We were impressed with the design and quality of the FreeClip open earbuds, and it’s a similar story with the more traditional FreeBuds Pro 4.

Care and attention have been taken to ensure they look and feel the part, from the pebble-like charging case (weird that it opens up back to front, though) to the stem-sporting buds themselves.

Our black and gold pair oozes class, and we particularly like those subtle vertical lines which mimic the musical stave of sheet music while bringing to mind the elegance of a classical stringed instrument. Classy.

What we like even more is that Huawei has supplied a decent number of ear tip options for its flagship buds, and we’re delighted that three pairs of memory foam tips are provided alongside three extra silicone options, with both sets featuring small, medium and large sizes.

Once you’ve selected your preferred material, the FreeBuds Pro 4 nestle in rather well, with their general structure, configuration and balance being conducive to achieving a stable fit.

They won’t irk you over longer listening sessions, and in our experience, won’t make a bid for freedom if you do a big yawn or move your head from side to side.

Features

While designed primarily to work with Huawei-branded smartphones, the FreeBuds Pro 4 can be used with other devices, albeit with some caveats. One of those major provisos comes with regard to 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio via Huawei’s own L2HC codec, a handy boon which only works with recent Huawei smartphones such as the flagship Mate X6.

For non-Huawei devices, you get the aptX HD and LDAC codecs if you have a compatible source player, as well as the standard SBC and AAC codecs for all.

The dedicated Huawei app is equally available for all Huawei smartphone owners, and is also easily downloadable via the Apple Store for iOS devices. However, it’s not available (due to political reasons) from the Google Play Store.

If you do want to access the app on an Android device, it’s a tricky process of downloading the Huawei AppGallery platform first, then downloading the required app from there.

Unfortunately, we tried many times but couldn’t get this to work during our tests with Sony’s flagship Xperia 1 VII smartphone, with the app not recognising the earbuds at all.

We stick to using our iPhone 15 for the majority of our testing, with Sony’s more premium Xperia 1 VII model coming in handy for its LDAC codec compatibility when testing sound.

Battery life numbers are strong, though. With active noise cancelling (ANC) on, the FreeBuds Pro 4 will grant you up to 33 hours of playback in total with the case included, while the buds themselves tend to last around seven hours if you don’t push the volume too far.

That’s not quite as impressive as the long-lasting Cambridge Audio Melomania M100’s 52 hours of total life, but it does roughly keep up with the 8.5 hours (buds) and 30 hours (total) of the five-star Sony WF-C710N.

The FreeBuds Pro 4 offer an admirably in-depth touch control configuration from which you can use your chosen combination of taps, pinches and swipes to achieve your desired control preference. We find no issues with the pinches and swiping motions, but the earbuds often don’t respond when we give our test pair a gentle tap on their outer stems.

Elsewhere, the increasingly popular audio sharing protocol Auracast isn’t available, but Bluetooth Multipoint – which Huawei has branded ‘Seamless Switch’ – lets you flip between two connected devices more easily.

Noise cancelling & call quality

Superficially, the FreeBuds Pro 4 appear to offer two main noise-cancelling modes – a passthrough awareness mode and a standard setting – but it’s a little more complicated than that.

Within standard noise cancelling, you’ll discover four sub-settings – dynamic, cosy, general and ultra – with the former adjusting to your surroundings on the fly and the rest dialling up the strength of your experience depending on how much environmental noise is about.

For a busy (and decidedly hot) ride on the London Underground, we whacked things all the way up to ultra. The FreeBuds Pro 4 aren’t able to block out completely the usual screeches and clanks of the rickety old Central Line train. We find the Sony WF-C710N are better in this regard, but the Huawei buds do soften the impact enough for us to at least notice a difference and enjoy a more pleasant experience during our sweltering commute.

The summer sunshine also gives us the chance to test how well voice calls fare when we’re outside. The results are solid, with the FreeBuds Pro 4 managing to exclude the outside world enough so that we can conduct our conversations without too much impediment.

The resultant quality of human speech isn’t stunning, however, as voices lack the warmth and authenticity of more competent rivals.

Sound

From the off, the FreeBuds 4 are the kind of buds that sound likeable, even impressive, upon first listen. They’re clean, spacious and refined, especially through the more costly Xperia, characteristics which immediately make a listener well-disposed to their apparent sonic charms.

There are ample levels of textural detail to be discovered, too. The FreeBuds Pro 4 are talented enough to pick out sufficient instrumental detail to keep us involved in our tunes, especially when it comes to midrange timbres from guitars, piano keystrokes and sung vocal passages.

Radiohead’s Fake Plastic Trees plays to the FreeBuds Pro 4’s strengths as they nimbly reveal the textures of each guitar strum and the particulars of Thom Yorke’s anxiety-ridden vocals. The buds’ strong clarity levels only add to our initial affections, and there’s very little in terms of colour or muddiness acting as an impediment to our catalogue of test tunes.

There are flaws, however, and the more we listen, the more they become apparent. Yes, these are clear, spacious and detailed performers, but sometimes these characteristics can leave us feeling as though our music is being clinically analysed rather than gleefully performed.

Gojira’s anthemic Our Time Is Now is clear and clean, but there’s not quite enough energy or raucous abandon for us to feel truly adrenalised by our favourite Frankish heavy metallers. This isn’t aided by their slightly soft and sometimes confused-sounding nature, especially with regard to a rather ill-defined bass reproduction, which stops the goosebumps from appearing in full force.

Much of the issue lies in the FreeBuds 4’s handling of dynamics. The Sony WF-C710N buds are excellent at revealing dynamic shifts, contrasting with the Huawei buds’ tendency to leave everything sounding slightly one-dimensional. The C710N make a fine fist of John Williams’ intense, operatic Duel Of The Fates, whereas the FreeBuds Pro 4’s rendition isn’t quite as dramatic as we would have hoped.

Rhythms could be better, too. The Sony rivals are so skilled at unveiling rhythmic motifs that the Huawei contenders, by comparison, struggle to keep up. Their soft nature and inability to tease out those patterns leave them floundering, and when you couple those limitations with their poor dynamic reproduction, the flagship buds struggle to keep us engaged by the music we feed them.

Verdict

Even if you can get the best out of them, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 don’t have the sonic chops to trouble the finest wireless earbuds on the block.

They’re comfortable and reasonably well-equipped for features, but when cheaper rivals offer greater musicality and emotional engagement, they’re something of a tough sell.

Review published: 14th August 2025

SCORES

• Sound 3
• Features 4
• Comfort 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Sony WF-C710N

Also consider the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100

Best wireless earbuds: top pairs tested by our reviewers

Looks like Apple's AirPods wireless headphones will soon be able to translate live speech. According to an image buried within the iOS 26 beta (found by 9to5Mac), you'll be able to activate the Live Translation feature by pressing both AirPods stems at once.

The image shows text in English, Portuguese, French, and German. The feature is thought to be coming to the AirPods 4 and five-star AirPods Pro 2.

This feature was previously rumoured to be in the pipeline, so this image just adds fuel to the fire.

Live Translation is currently embedded into iOS apps like FaceTime, Messages and Phone. So bringing it to AirPods seems like a natural extension.

It's not the only new feature coming to AirPods later this year. Also in iOS 26 is Camera Remote, which lets you use your wireless earbuds as a camera shutter control, studio-quality audio recording, better call quality, the ability to pause media when you fall asleep, and more.

The AirPods Pro 3 have also been rumoured to launch later this year, though some analysts say next year is more likely.

iOS 26 will launch alongside the iPhone 17 range in September.

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Check out the best AirPods you can buy

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Attention, Apple fans! We know you want the latest AirPods out at the moment, and we know that you don't want to pay full whack to get them. It's a good job we're out there hunting for deals all year round, then, isn't it?

The AirPods 4 with ANC are Apple's latest wireless earbuds, and they have just dropped from £179 to just £149 at the EE Store, a fall of £30. It's a limited-time deal, though, so warm up those hamstrings and prepare to sprint towards a discount that won't be around for ever.

Best AirPods 4 with ANC deal

The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC are the newest ‘standard’ AirPods on the market, and while they may not be quite as sonically capable as the five-star AirPods Pro 2, the fourth-gen buds are clever, comfy and built for iOS users.

Despite their open design, in which the buds avoid digging deep into your ear canal, the AirPods 4 offer surprisingly effective noise cancelling. We didn't think an open design would work that well with ANC, but the results are outstanding when tackling low-level noises.

The fourth-gen Pods are equipped with personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, as well as clear voice call capabilities and hands-free gesture controls. Battery life, meanwhile, clocks in at a solid 30 hours with the charging case, which should keep most users satisfied at this price.

Sonically, the AirPods 4 with ANC have a similar balance to the flagship Pro 2, serving up pleasing levels of clarity and detail while excelling with mid-range vocal passages. They are not quite as dynamic as the Pro 2, but we’re still impressed by the snappy, engaging performance the fourth-gen buds provide.

Grab a pair at EE if you're interested, Apple fans.

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Apple's AirPods Pro 2 have dropped to £189 at Laptops Direct, delivering a solid £40 off their £229 retail price.

While not quite matching their £179 Prime Day deal from a couple of weeks ago, this is still a great chance for those who missed out – most retailers put them back up to their regular price post-Prime Day.

Best Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds deal

The AirPods Pro 2 represent Apple's triumphant entry into five-star territory after years of solid – but not quite exceptional – wireless earbuds.

These second-generation flagships finally deliver the complete package that places them alongside class-leading competitors from Sony and Bose.

At the heart of the Pro 2's success lies Apple's advanced H2 chip, which powers significant improvements across active noise-cancelling, sound quality, and battery performance.

The ANC capabilities have been dramatically enhanced, with Apple claiming twice the background noise reduction compared to the original Pro model.

In practice, this translates to impressively effective isolation that makes background chatter and transport noise fade to a comfortable murmur.

The earbuds themselves remain visually identical to their predecessors, but Apple has refined the experience with useful additions.

Touch-capacitive volume controls finally grace the stems – a long-overdue feature that responds reliably to up and down swipes.

The inclusion of an extra-small ear tip size broadens the fit options, too, while the USB-C charging case gains a built-in speaker for location tracking.

Sound quality represents the most significant leap forward, though. They deliver a richer, more powerful presentation that maintains Apple's signature clarity, while adding welcome weight and dynamic authority.

These earbuds demonstrate impressive versatility across genres, even if rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer even greater insight and rhythmic ability.

Overall, the performance feels more engaging and entertaining than previous AirPods generations as well, with improved rhythmic drive that keeps listeners hooked.

Voices remain a particular strength – from gravelly vocals to podcast dialogue, they deliver natural, focused reproduction that draws you into whatever content you're consuming.

Some iOS updates have also added valuable features, including Adaptive Audio, which intelligently adjusts noise-cancelling levels based on your surroundings. Conversation Awareness also smoothly reduces music volume when you start speaking.

Battery life is six hours from the earbuds with ANC active, with a total of 30 hours including the charging case – competitive, but not class-leading.

The seamless integration with iOS devices remains unmatched, with near-instant pairing and intuitive operation that simply works without requiring too much thought.

In short, at this reduced price of £189 at Laptops Direct, the AirPods Pro 2 make a compelling case to take the plunge and experience five-star audio at a nicely discounted price.

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Our pick of the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now

Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?

The AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds that finally brought Apple into five-star territory after a swathe of four-star reviews from us. We think they're the best in-ear AirPods you can get right now—apart from the over-ear and far more expensive AirPods Max, which are also five-star winners.

And you can snap them up for only $149 at Amazon. That's a whopping $100 discount, and even though Amazon Prime Day is still live, this deal is actually available to anyone, whether a member of Prime or not.

We've never seen these impressive buds drop so low, which makes it the right time to make yourself an owner of a pair of the best wireless earbuds, especially for dedicated iOS users.

The AirPods Pro 2 excel in pretty much every key area of wireless performance. We're talking about a competitive total battery life of around 30 hours and intuitive use with iOS devices, as well as solid voice call quality and wireless charging capabilities.

Then there's the AirPods Pro 2's very capable noise-canceling, which, while not quite on the same level as Bose's best, dampens external noises in a way that feels natural and adapts smoothly according to your surroundings.

You also get full spatial audio, a user-friendly conversation mode, neat touch controls, and plenty of additional iOS-only features—including health-related features such as a handy hearing test.

Sonically, the AirPods Pro 2 are hugely entertaining, even if newer rivals such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer even greater insight and rhythmic ability. There's clarity and detail to be found on the Apple buds, but what impressed us during our tests was how rich and powerful the Pro 2 were capable of sounding.

They're also rhythmically adept, adding a feeling of drive and propulsion to tunes and giving your music the energy and momentum it needs in order to feel truly exciting.

As we stated in our review, "We knew Apple was serious about sound when we heard the AirPods Max headphones, and it’s fantastic to see it bring that level of quality performance to the more affordable AirPods Pro range."

There is no shortage of steep competition at this price point from Sony, Bose, and B&W, but the AirPods Pro 2 remain a friendly, feature-packed, and great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds, especially if you are ensconced in Apple's ecosystem.

And they're even better value thanks to this superb deal price of $149 at Amazon—snap them up before this deal disappears!

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See all the Prime Day wireless earbuds deals

Check out all of the Amazon Prime Day hi-fi and audio deals live right now

Need more convincing? Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?

We're halfway through this summer's four-day Amazon Prime Day sales event, and we've spotted some excellent deals on budget Sony earbuds, premium B&W headphones, and even great savings on select hi-fi products.

However, there has been one product that has been missing from any of the Prime Day deals action: Apple's AirPods Max.

While there is a fantastic Prime Day deal on the five-star AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds (£179 at Amazon) and a good drop on the newer AirPods 4 with ANC buds (£149 at Amazon), there is absolutely no discount whatsoever on the premium AirPods Max over-ears.

Head to their Amazon listing and you'll see that the current AirPods Max with USB-C are still at their full UK price of £499 across all five colours.

We normally spot a deal or two on Apple's premium over-ear wireless headphones during these big sales events, so why have there been no deals this time? We've seen prices drop during Black Friday before, even some big savings on the original 2020 Lightning connector model during last year's October Prime Day (£429 at Amazon: a £130 saving from its £549 launch RRP).

But deals have been scarce on the current, updated model that came out in September 2024 (eight months ago!)

Apple doesn't drop the price of newly released products that easily, but considering this was a very light upgrade – five fresh colours, USB-C connection and charging – with no material design or performance upgrades, I am very surprised that we haven't seen any discounts this week.

In the UK, the price of the new AirPods Max with USB-C has remained firm at £499 all year. But I've been checking Amazon every day this week for a surprise Prime Day deal – but with no luck.

Best Apple AirPods Max USB-C deal

I have, however, scoured the internet and found a genuine saving on the new AirPods Max in the UK – and you won't find it on Amazon.

Head to online retailer Laptops Direct, and you can nab yourself a fresh pair of the current AirPods Max headphones for just £458 – a £41 saving.

This biggest saving is on the purple finish, however. You can get the blue, midnight and starlight colourways for £494 – a mere £5 discount compared to anywhere else.

Apple caused a stir when it released its first over-ear, noise-cancelling, wireless headphones, the AirPods Max, in 2020, with an unprecedented high price tag for its product type.

Many rivals have followed suit since – we are inundated with superb premium wireless headphones from Sony, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Dali, Focal, Mark Levinson and more – but the Apple headphones remain luxurious in build and performance.

With a five-star review and a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award to their name, the Max offer exceptional build quality, superb noise-cancelling and, most importantly, some of Apple's best-ever sound.

Their authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness elevate their wireless audio quality enough to be considered alongside genuine hi-fi products at this price point. They also work seamlessly with iOS devices – one of their most appealing selling points, especially for dedicated Apple users.

The current AirPods Max with USB-C offer wired audio listening (lossless up to 24-bit/48kHz) with the bundled USB-C charging cable. You also get cinematic spatial audio and various Apple-only features.

I've been using the current model all year in my daily life, and while the new Sony WH-1000XM6 and B&W Px7 S3 offer greater portability and clearer detail and greater transparency, the AirPods Max are still a hugely attractive proposition. They are lovely to use, are comfortable to wear over long hours, and still deliver a wonderfully engaging and likeable balance that makes listening to music a pleasure.

While we may have to wait even longer for a genuinely bigger price drop to make them a bit more affordable, the current deal price of £458 at Laptops Direct (for the purple finish) is the best saving I've seen so far.

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Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are enjoying a tempting discount during the Amazon Prime Day sales event, with the tech giant's flagship earbuds now available at their lowest-ever price.

For just £179 at Amazon, you can grab this five-star pair of the best AirPods with a £50 saving on their usual retail price of £229 – that's the best deal we've seen on them all year.

As an Apple user myself, the AirPods Pro 2 are my go-to wireless earbuds, and I've been using them daily for the past three years. Apple's flagship in-ear buds are splendid performers, especially for iOS users, and with plenty of free feature updates in the last couple of years keeping them fresh and up-to-date.

This fantastic £50 discount doesn't come around very often, so you'll have to act fast to secure this limited time deal.

Best Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds deal

The AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds that finally brought Apple into five-star territory after a swathe of four-star reviews from us. For us, they're the best in-ear AirPods you can get right now – apart from the over-ear and far more expensive AirPods Max that are also five-star winners.

The AirPods Pro 2 excel in pretty much every key area of wireless performance. We're talking a competitive total battery life of around 30 hours and intuitive use with iOS devices, as well as solid voice call quality and wireless charging capabilities.

Then there's the AirPods Pro 2's very capable noise-cancelling, which, while not quite on the same level as Bose's best, dampens external noises in a way that feels natural and adapts smoothly according to your surroundings.

You also get full spatial audio, user-friendly conversation mode, neat touch controls, and plenty of additional iOS-only features – including health-related features such as a handy hearing test.

Sonically, the AirPods Pro 2 are hugely entertaining, even if newer rivals such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer even greater insight and rhythmic ability. There's clarity and detail to be found on the Apple buds, but what impressed us during our tests was how rich and powerful the Pro 2 were capable of sounding.

They're also rhythmically adept, adding a feeling of drive and propulsion to tunes and giving your music the energy and momentum it needs in order to feel truly exciting.

As we stated in our review: "We knew Apple was serious about sound when we heard the AirPods Max headphones, and it’s fantastic to see it bring that level of quality performance to the more affordable AirPods Pro range."

There is no shortage of steep competition at this price point from Sony, Bose and B&W, but the AirPods Pro 2 remain a friendly, feature-packed and great-sounding pair of wireless earbuds, especially if you are ensconced in Apple's ecosystem.

And they're even better value thanks to this superb deal price of £179 at Amazon – snap them up before this deal disappears!

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Apple's mainstream announcements at its annual developer conference, which was held earlier this month, mostly concerned the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS and tvOS.

However there was one major audio-focused announcement that went under the radar.

During the developer-focused sessions of WWDC that follow the livestream, Apple revealed Apple Spatial Audio Format (ASAF). Aside from the Apple Watch, this new spatial audio format can be accessed on every product in Apple's ecosystem, including iPhones, iPads, Apple TV 4K and Macs.

It has been developed with the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset in mind, in an effort to bring the immersive audio in line with the immersive video experience. It will be delivered via a new audio codec called Apple Positional Audio Codec, or APAC for short.

Blake Gordon, Apple's Immersive Video Engineer, stated at WWDC 25 (via FlatpanelsHD) that "ASAF enables truly externalized audio experiences by ensuring acoustic cues are used to render the audio. It's composed of new metadata coupled with linear PCM, and a powerful new spatial renderer that's built into Apple platforms."

What makes this new audio format so interesting is that it can reportedly adapt the audio to the object's position on screen, as well as the listener's position. Gordon also notes that "sounds in ASAF come from all directions in any position, and at any distance".

According to FlatpanelsHD, the spatial adaptation will allow for real-time adjustments for both your position, as well as dynamically adjusting sound effects with changes to reverb, volume and echo.

This is where the Vision Pro comes into play, as it will use its head tracking capabilities and positional data from the built-in sensors to create a more immersive and closely matched audio experience based on what you're seeing on the Vision Pro's OLED display.

Apple's foray into spatial audio is by no means new; we're familiar with Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking on its AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max wireless earbuds and headphones.

However, this new format seems to be Apple putting its mark on the world of immersive audio, especially after Samsung and Google has recently released its own version to the world. Eclipsa Audio is currently available on Samsung's 2025 TV lineup, as well as its most recent soundbars.

However, at the time of writing it only works with a selection of specific content, with YouTube being the only platform that officially supports it thus far.

There is, of course, the big competitor we can't forget about. Apple has featured Dolby Atmos support on many of its products and services, including Apple TV+ and Apple Music; so we don't see ASAF taking the fight directly to Dolby immediatly.

However, Apple has stated that APAC will be required for all Immersive Video content. That could involve Dolby Atmos being supported by the codec, however, Apple could very well be setting up a system to prioritise its own immersive audio format.

As is the case with Eclipsa Audio, it seems as though ASAF will be limited to a specific use case for the time being. That being said, we'll be keeping a close eye on it to see if Apple can disrupt the immersive audio landscape in the near future.

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Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

As well as our Apple TV 4K (2022) review

And here's everything you need to know about Apple Spatial Audio

I've made no secret of the fact that I love the Apple TV 4K.

There are various devices in my system that could take care of my streaming needs, including my TV, Sky Stream Puck, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, but the Apple TV 4K is nicer to use than all of them and generally delivers better picture and sound quality, too.

The other advantage of using the Apple TV 4K for streaming is that when the rest of my family goes to bed, I can switch from using my speaker system to using my AirPods Max for sound.

I and several of my colleagues have written many times about how good Apple's Spatial Audio is, particularly through the AirPods Max.

To reiterate, though, it really does get disarmingly close to the cinematic experience you get from listening to a very good Dolby Atmos system out loud – to the extent that I rarely feel aggrieved when I have to make the switch at the behest of my long-suffering wife and son.

In fact, Spatial Audio via the AirPods Max is so good, it puts to shame the Dolby Atmos / 3D Audio headphones processing you get from the Xbox Series X and PS5.

That got me thinking: wouldn't it be great if the next Apple TV 4K had a load of HDMI inputs so that you could connect all of your sources to it and use Apple's Spatial Audio for the whole lot?

I certainly think so.

It wouldn't just benefit games, either, but also the watching of 4K Blu-rays via a dedicated player, plus late-night / early morning F1 races and NFL games.

It might be that Apple could achieve a similar result using the Apple TV 4K's existing eARC support, which already allows sources to be routed through a TV and out to the Apple TV, which then sends the audio to HomePods, but my understanding is that making this work with AirPods is surprisingly tricky.

Besides, having an Apple TV that worked as an HDMI hub would be useful in other ways, too, not least in how much it would reduce cable spaghetti.

One of the things I miss most about my old AV receiver is that it handled all of my HDMI switching, leaving just one cable going up to the TV.

A compact Apple TV device that did that (as well as everything else that the Apple TV 4K already does) would be even better.

In truth, though, I just don't think there's any way that Apple will ever go down this route.

The thing is, cables just aren't sexy.

Maybe one input with passthrough is a possibility, but can you imagine Tim Cook on stage, flashing a load of HDMI sockets? Me either.

But if Apple doesn't do something nerdy like that with the next Apple TV 4K, I don't know what it can do.

Almost three years on from launch, the current, third-generation Apple TV 4K is still the best standalone streamer available, and it's hard to think of ways it could be improved.

More processing power could be added, of course, but do people really use their Apple TVs for power-hungry tasks? I don't know a single person who even plays games on theirs.

Rumours have been around for ages about Apple working on a Dolby Atmos soundbar that has integrated Apple TV streaming smarts, but the chances of that ever seeing the light of day seem to dwindle with each passing year.

So, go on, Apple. Give me the nerdy HDMI inputs I want so I can use Spatial Audio for everything. You might as well.

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Apple’s WWDC 2025 conference introduced a new Liquid Glass visual design language that will appear across its devices once the upcoming iOS 26 software update lands this September. Mostly offering a new look and dynamic feel to the way you interact with apps, iOS 26 will also bring some new features to AirPods, tvOS and Apple Music.

One Apple Music update caught my attention.

Yes, it’s nice that lyric translations will be available so we can fully understand what Bad Bunny or the latest K-Pop sensation are saying when singing in their native languages. The dynamic, animated album art that will take over your iPhone’s lock screen is also a nice touch – I'm sure it will look pretty.

But the one feature update I’m looking forward to is something more practical: Music Pins. Come iOS 26, you’ll be able to pin your favourite albums, playlists and artists to the top of the Apple Music app to access your favourite and oft-played music quickly.

I was genuinely thinking last week that this was exactly what I was missing from my Apple Music experience. Right now, your saved tracks/albums/artists are neatly stored away in their respective folders, alphabetically, and every time you save a new track or album, it joins a never-ending list in the Recently Added section of the Library tab.

What if you want to play a song you saved a few weeks ago, but can’t scroll back far enough to find it? Apple currently limits how many new additions are displayed in the Recently Added section, so if you can’t remember the name or haven’t saved it in a curated playlist, it’s going to be a pain to find it again. Or it’s lost for ever.

One-off songs or albums I have saved – such as H3LLB3ND3R’s soundtrack to indie horror film Where The Devil Roams, or Chilly Gonzales' lovely piano composition Whist – are now too far back to easily access. Some songs just don't fit a specific playlist, but I want to listen to them over and over again.

Being able to pin my most frequently played songs or playlists to the top for easy access will be super helpful for my daily listening.

Reportedly, you get up to six pins in iOS 26 – but this number may change in the final release. You can also mix up the pins – song, album, playlist, artist – think of it as presets on a radio for quick access to your go-to choices or current favourites.

I have been using Apple Music for 10 years – ever since it launched in June 2015 – and I've generally enjoyed the experience overall; but it is due a more thorough update.

This ability to pin favourites is a small but useful addition – I just wish I didn’t have to wait until September to get it.

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Read our Apple Music review

Apple announces tvOS 26 with a new look and better AirPlay speaker integration

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Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference, or WWDC as it is more commonly known, took place last night, and it was certainly eventful.

The tech titan announced that it would be unifying its entire product offering with a consistent software approach across everything from iPhones to Apple TV 4K, and even the Apple Watch.

Current version numbers have been scrapped, meaning every product runs a new "26" version of their respective operating system; for example we now have iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and tvOS 26.

The biggest change, however, is the introduction of "Liquid Glass", a design ethos that spans all of Apple's hardware. It refines the user experience with a new translucent look, features slicker transitions, and aims for a more immersive experience overall.

While there were plenty of other interesting announcements, including upgrades to Apple Intelligence and a new gaming hub on iPhone, the presentation was unquestionably light on AV, music and home cinema announcements.

We had hoped to see more updates for the Apple TV 4K, HomePod range, AirPods lineup and Apple's services, but that didn't appear to be Apple's priority.

With our WWDC 2025 wishlist now in tatters, here are the things we were hoping to see revealed last night, but ultimately didn't get:

1. Any new hardware

Apple doesn't always announce new products at WWDC, but when it does, it does so in style. It took WWDC 2023 as an opportunity to launch Apple Vision Pro, while WWDC 2022 saw a flashy, upgraded MacBook Air make a debut.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of any new hardware at WWDC 2025, which is a shame, as a couple of key AV products are long overdue for an update.

The HomePod Mini is the first that springs to mind, as it's fast approaching its fifth anniversary; that's practically geriatric by Apple standards. While the existing Mini is a gem of a smart speaker – not to mention a four-time What Hi-Fi? Award-winner – it would be nice to see a refreshed model with even better performance, and maybe even a few new colours.

The other key Apple product that could do with a refresh is the Apple TV 4K, which is coming up on three years old. Once again, the existing Apple TV 4K is a great streamer, in fact, it's the best streaming device on the market, but we wouldn't say no to an update.

As evidenced by the upgrade from the second generation to the third generation model, the picture and sound performance tends to improve every time, even if there doesn't appear to be many changes on paper. We can only dream of what a fourth-generation model could offer, though rumours suggest that one is on the way.

Rumours and speculation are never enough for us, though, and Apple didn't even drop a crumb of evidence that a new HomePod or Apple TV 4K is on the way.

2. Big changes to Apple Music and Apple TV+

Apple's services were also sidelined at this event, aside from a few minor changes coming to Apple Music.

Lyrics translation is coming with iOS 26, meaning you can sing along to your favourite international pop hits without putting hundreds of hours into Duolingo. AutoMix is set to transition your current track into the next seamlessly, and you'll also be able to pin your favourite tracks, playlists and artists to the top of the Apple Music app for easy access.

That's about it, not counting the new "Liquid Glass" look to the app, which will presumably be locked to Apple devices.

It would have been nice to see some highly requested features, such as a button to download your full music library, or even higher quality streaming to match the likes of Qobuz and Tidal.

Apple TV+ didn't receive much attention either, though there are some nice poster-style artwork options for Apple's original programming. We would have liked to see a proper watchlist feature separated from the Up Next section, and a bigger design refresh wouldn't have gone amiss either, especially after Amazon Prime Video and Netflix's recent updates.

3. The big tvOS update

Ahead of last night's livestream, there were murmurs of a revolutionary tvOS update that would see the biggest shift in design and functionality since it launched in 2015.

While rumours should always be taken with a liberal pinch of salt, we couldn't help but be a bit disappointed when we found out that this design upgrade was merely a few transparent elements and a profile selection screen.

tvOS 26 looks remarkably similar to the currently available tvOS 18, and there aren't that many new features or usability tweaks to show for it either, aside from the ability to set an AirPlay-enabled wireless speaker as your permanent default audio output.

The good news is, of course, that tvOS is one of the best (if not the best) streaming-based operating services around, so we're not angry, just disappointed.

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Apple announces iOS 26 with a new "Liquid Glass" design and an upgraded Apple Music app

Read our full Apple iPhone 16e review

As well as our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

Apple's AirPods are getting two new features: higher-quality audio recording and the ability to wirelessly activate your iPhone camera's shutter.

Apple announced the new features at WWDC. Both were rumoured ahead of the event.

Studio-quality audio recording lets podcasters, interviewers and singers record higher-quality audio. Busy environments shouldn't pose a problem, thanks to Voice Isolation, which boosts voices over background sounds.

Better call quality is also promised.

These features will work across iPhone, iPad and Mac platforms, with support for all sorts of apps made by both Apple and third parties.

As expected, AirPods wearers will be able to activate their iPhone's camera shutter by squeezing their AirPods stem.

These features will work with the AirPods 4 (both ANC and non-ANC variants) and AirPods Pro 2 as part of an update landing this autumn.

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Did you know AirPods can work as a hearing aid?

Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2025) keynote has come and gone and it brought with it a number of AI-themed updates to the tech giant's entire software portfolio.

These included everything from quality life updates to its Apple Music service, designed to improve curation, to a completely new Liquid Glass design that is being rolled out across all its platforms.

Our team of hi-fi and home cinema experts where on hand updating this page with all the news throughout the event. Scroll down to see their coverage and hot takes on all of WWDC 2025's audio and home cinema announcements.

Also make sure to get involved with the conversation and offer your thoughts on Apple's latest news in the comments, or on our social media pages and forum.

Welcome to our WWDC 2025 live hub!

Welcome to our WWDC 2025 live blog, where I (editor-in-chief, Alastair Stevenson) will be posting all the latest developments, as well as insights directly from our experts on the announcements.

The event’s opening keynote is set to start at 6.00pm (UK time), which means there is some time left until the news officially starts flooding in. Ahead of that, here’s a quick summary of what we’re expecting from the event.

A complete overhaul to Apple’s tvOS software: Apple is expected to make big changes to the software powering its Apple TV 4K streamer. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, tvOS 19 will be the biggest update to the platform since it launched.

AI upgrades: we haven’t had many specifics, but tvOS is one of many platforms set to get a big update, according to pre-event rumours. Rumblings suggest Apple is also set to completely rebrand its iOS mobile phone software, adding a wealth of new AI-focussed features, alongside a new name.

New AirPods features: according to rumours Apple is also set to add a host of new features to its AirPods. These include new motion controls, sleep detection and a “studio quality” mic mode.

Meet the team covering WWDC 2025

We have not one, but three members of the What Hi-Fi? Team covering WWDC 2025. Here’s what you need to know about them.

What we want to see

WWDC is always an interesting event as it’s largely software focussed – with Apple tending to do its hardware launches separately.

That’s why we’re not expecting to see the fabled iPhone 17 until September. We’re also expecting the company’s hotly anticipated new AirPods and HomePods to be no-shows at the event.

But, even with that knowledge, our team can’t help but hope the firm will have at least a few surprises that haven’t been covered by the pre-event rumours at WWDC 2025’s keynote.

Eager to share them, our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, penned a pre-event feature detailing the three biggest things he’s hoping to see at WWDC 2025.

Read the full story: Here are the 3 big home cinema and audio announcements we're hoping to see at Apple's WWDC event

Got something not covered by Lewis that you’re hoping to see at WWDC 2025? Then get involved in the conversation and let us know in the comments or on our social media channels! We’re eager to hear from you.

The one thing I’m really hoping to see at WWDC tonight (but probably won’t get)

Entry by Lewis Empson

The Apple TV 4K (2022) remains the best streaming device on the market thanks to its excellent user interface that doesn’t bombard you with ads or nonsense, alongside its stellar picture and sound quality.

There is, however, one slight issue now; it’s getting on a bit. The streamer has been on the market for over two and a half years, so where is the replacement? Rumours of a new model have been rife, though they are, at the time of writing, unsubstantiated.

I’d really like to see Apple change this tonight and announce a 2025 model that uses a more up-to-date processor (might I suggest the iPhone 16’s A18 processor) and packs in some of the new features rumoured to be coming with the next version of tvOS..

Rumours suggest an overhaul to tvOS will be debuted tonight, so a new streaming box (or stick, who knows) to complement the design refresh just seems right. Throw in Apple Intelligence compatibility, a shiny new remote (backlit buttons would be nice) and 8K support, and that constitutes a substantial upgrade to me.

Ultimately, this is probably wishful thinking, but I’m still holding onto a little bit of hope.

Additional features for AirPods Pro

Entry by Kashfia Kabir

We’re not expecting any new hardware launches during WWDC, but there are rumours that the current AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 could get plenty of new features.

This continues Apple’s run of introducing new features to its flagship AirPods Pro 2 at no extra cost – keeping these five-star wireless earbuds fresh and feature-packed without having to pay for a whole new model.

Since the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case launched in September 2023, the flagship buds have been updated with software features such as Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Transparency and a host of health-related functions, including being able to use them as hearing aids.

So what can we expect from the update this time around? Your AirPods Pro could gain gesture controls for adjusting the volume when in Conversation Awareness, take a photo by pinching the earbuds’ stem, and detect when you’ve fallen asleep and auto pause any music or podcasts.

Small but useful features that only enhance the AirPods experience for iOS users even further. Until we finally get AirPods Pro 3…

My most-used streaming service could be getting a major overhaul in the next few hours – here’s what I want to see

Entry by Lewis Empson

I admit it, I’m an Apple Music user. Despite switching from an iPhone to the Android-based Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a couple of weeks ago, I just couldn’t face going back to Spotify, especially after the most recent user interface update.

Speaking of user interface updates, Apple Music is reportedly set to get an AI-focused upgrade in the near future, according to reputable Apple insider and Bloomberg editor, Mark Gurman. While AI isn’t at the top of my wishlist, I suppose Spotify has seen success in embracing our soon-to-be overlords, so I can see where Apple is coming from.

Gurman didn’t confirm if this update would be imminent, or if it's slated for down the line, and no Apple Music announcement has been confirmed for tonight yet either. Regardless, it’s on my radar, and I hope to see a mention tonight.

If I had my way, there are a couple of changes I would like to see come to the Apple Music app. The biggest one is a “download all” button in my library, as in my last device transfer, I had to click download on each of my saved albums individually – all 273 of them.

Furthermore, Spotify remains the king of social music listening when it comes to Jams, Daylists and more. I know we care about sound quality above all else, but these curated playlists and social features are a huge draw for me, so I’d like Apple to take inspiration from Spotify in this case.

Could Apple Music get a new look?

Entry by Kashfia Kabir

Apple Music is 10 years old this year. I’ve been using the music streaming service ever since it launched in June 2015, and apart from one interface change shortly after launch, the platform has remained largely the same – albeit with additional features (video, hi-res lossless and spatial audio) being added over the years to its extensive catalogue.

Could we see a fresh look for Apple Music alongside the rumoured iOS26 updates? Apple’s native apps generally evolve alongside its iOS updates, but it would be exciting to see a deeper overhaul for this streaming service.

For now, the main rumour I’ve seen is about full-screen animated artwork on the iPhone lock screen. That would be pretty cool – I love seeing animated album art within the app – but I would worry that this would be quite the battery drain.

A whole new name for iOS

Entry by Joe Cox

In case you missed the recent leaks, it looks like Apple is going to change the way it names its OS releases. This is good news.

Rumours say Apple will align all of its various operating systems by naming them after the year. So expect to hear about iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and so on at WWDC, rather than the scheduled iOS 19.

Ultimately, we think this will make sense once we get used to it. After all, how many of you really know which OS your various devices are currently using? Naming them after the year should make it a lot easier to remember.

That said, launching iOS 26 followed by the iPhone 17 later this year could still prove confusing...

We’re live!

Entry by Alastair Stevenson

Apple’s WWDC opening keynote is officially underway and we’ll be here for the duration bringing you all the latest news, as well as our hot takes until the event ends.

As a reminder, we’re expecting the event to be a big one for music and TV fans, with pre-keynote rumours suggesting tvOS will be getting its biggest overhaul ever and Apple will re-brand its iOS software.

Make sure to get involved with the action and drop any questions, or thoughts, you have on the news in the comments or our social media channels!

Entry by Alastair Stevenson

Apple CEO, Tim Cook has taken the stage and confirmed the keynote will address all of the company's software. There is already a very heavy focus on Apple Intelligence, but little concrete detail on how it will impact the firm's Music and TV platforms thus far.

Apple software chief Craig Federighi has taken over the keynote and is still talking about Apple Intelligence. The main news thus far is that Apple is making its intelligence on device model available to all apps. This means the features can work offline using data stored locally. Nothing music or TV related.

Apple has unveiled a new universal "Liquid Glass" design it claims will react dynamically to what the user is doing. We haven't had full details on how it works, but we've seen demos of it throwing contextual menus up when people are watching movies on an iPhone and iPad. Apple describes it as "blurring the line between hardware and software".

A new name for all of Apple's software

Apple has updated the naming convention for all its operating system. Every single new version will jump to 26. So iOS, tvOS, MacOS and every other platform in Apple's portfolio will leap to be version 26, regardless of the previous release number.

We've still not had much more detail on Apple's Music and TV plans. Instead the firm has showed of how Liquid Glass adjust the UI on iOS dynamically depending on what the user is doing. It's since moved on to talk about its CarPlay software and how will leverage the new design.

Thus far Apple's focussed on iOS messaging, call, emoji and translation services. These include better screening options on calls and messaging and the ability to make polls and split bills within in app when in a group chat. The emoji service lets you use AI to merge existing emojis to create new ones. It showed combining the sloth and lightbulb emojis as an example. The translation upgrade adds live transcriptions to messaging and video calls, from what we've seen. Still no TV or music news.

AI Apple Music upgrades are coming

Apple has, very quickly, confirmed a number of AI / Intelligence flavoured upgrades coming to Apple Music.

Highlights include:

• AI lyrics: this will let you see the lyrics to the song you're listening to in real time.
• AI pronunciation: as well as a transcription, it will also help you say them correctly using Apple Intelligence.
• AI mix: a new feature that will use Apple Intelligence to generate playlists specific to users tastes.

Our contributor is typing up a full story with the AI Apple Music updates, so stay tuned for more detail!

*Editors note: we missed Apple Music Auto Mix. This is an AI powered mix service that aims to smoothly transition songs in your playlists, like a DJ.

The AI playlists we mentioned relate to Auto Mix, which actually just smoothly transitions songs you already have liked better using AI.

Apple AirPods updates

Apple has unveiled upgrades coming to its AirPods, however, rather than focus on music playback the new additions relate to mic quality and camera commands. Specifically, it has unveiled a new "studio-quality audio recording" and camera remote feature. These will both be launched on the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and AirPods Pro via an over the air update. The " studio-quality audio recording" is aimed at content creators and works to improve the voice quality of recorded audio. It apparently works using the Apple H2 chip and Apple Intelligence processing to reduce background noise.

tvOS 26

Apple has unveiled a wealth of new TV originals as well as a compete overhaul to its tvOS software. The key points are:

• A move to Apple's contextual, AI-powered Liquid Glass universal design. This adds dynamic UI elements that change based on what the user is doing and their habits, in a bid to make the OS more intuitive to use.
• The new UI also tweaks the app, making it so the UI can display more movies, reducing the need to scroll when looking for something to watch.
• The ability to enable any AirPlay speaker as the Apple TV's main speaker permanently.

Our all-star contributor, Joe Svetlik has penned a full guide, detailing the biggest changes coming to Apple Music!

Read the full story: Apple Music gets 3 new features – and could put DJs out of work

An early hot take from our editor

Entry by Alastair Stevenson

As expected Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote is all about the firm's Intelligence AI platform. This is a big deal, with the "Liquid Design" elements being rolled out across all its software, including tvOS 26, and streamlined naming convention making sense.

But, from a purely music and home cinema perspective, these add up to quality of life, rather than performance upgrades. None of the announcements work to improve performance metrics, like HDR performance, upscaling or surround sound on tvOS.

Equally the Apple Music features are more about curation, discovery and showing off Apple Intelligence's clever translation services rather than upgrading its core audio quality.

I'd personally hoped to hear more about its plans to match rival codecs and chipmakers, such as Qualcomm, which confirmed it is aiming to offer fully scalable, 24-bit/192kHz audio wirelessly to headphones "soon" during an interview with me earlier this year.

All the details on Apple's WWDC 2025 AirPods upgrades

Apple has unveiled, quietly, a smattering of upgrades coming to its AirPods via an over the air software update. You can get all the details in our handy guide!

Read the full story: Apple's AirPods get studio-quality recording, camera remote

VisionOS 26

Apple's also confirmed upgrades to its Vision Pro operating system, adding a wider selection of apps and platforms that support its immersive video platform. These include the ability to edit immersive video in Adobe Premier Pro directly from the headset and link it with and watch footage shot on GoPro and other 360 experience ready action cameras.

All the facts on tvOS 26

With Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote coming to an end, our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, has finished writing his guide detailing all the changes coming to tvOS 26.

Read the full story: Attention Apple TV 4K users! Apple announces tvOS 26 with a new look and better AirPlay speaker integration

WWDC 2025 wrap up

With Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote over, we've seen a number of AI focussed announcements on its entire software portfolio. But was it a hit and are the upgrades what we wanted? Here's the What Hi-Fi? team covering WWDC 2025's personal hot takes on the keynote.

Do you agree with our hot takes? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch on our social media channels and forum!

It's that time of year again – Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is almost upon us. Apple's annual jamboree always sees a flurry of announcements, and this year promises to be no different. It always paves the way for the year ahead, and will drop a rather large hint or two on what to expect from the iPhone 17.

But there's a lot more to it than Apple's smartphones. With announcements likely to span iOS, iPadOS and tvOS, we should see all manner of new features coming to Apple's full portfolio of AV devices.

We might even see a new product or two.

We've gathered all the information you need below. For what to expect, as well as the exact timings and how to watch the announcements live for yourself, read on.

• 3 big home cinema and audio announcements we're hoping to see at Apple's WWDC event

When is WWDC 2025?

The event takes place from 9-13th June. Sessions will be held all week, but the keynote speech is on Monday 9th June at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST / 3am (Tuesday) AEST.

What is rumoured to launch?

This being a conference for developers, the focus will very much be on software rather than hardware. As such, the prospect of new devices launching are pretty slim. But never say never.

Here's what's expected, as well as what we're hoping for.

New AirPods features

We could see new head gestures added to the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, according to 9to5Mac. Currently, you can nod or shake your head to accept or decline calls, but you could soon adjust the volume of Conversation Awareness with a head gesture.

Your AirPods could soon detect when you've fallen asleep and pause playback, so you wouldn't have to rely on sleep timers. And they could activate your iPhone's camera shutter – just squeeze the earbud stem to snap.

Also rumoured is a 'studio quality' mic mode for AirPods similar to the iPhone 16's Audio Mix feature, which separates background sounds from speech using machine learning. And AirPods could pair more simply with iPads that are being shared by users – ideal for a classroom setting.

More AI

Apple's AI endeavours have so far been met with a bit of a shrug, with the likes of Samsung and Google speeding off into the distance while the Cupertino company repeatedly sputters and stalls.

It only has itself to blame. At the unveiling of Apple Intelligence, the firm promised all sorts of features, only some of which have come to pass. It was the opposite of that old mantra 'under promise and over deliver'.

This time around it's said to have new battery-saving and health tech to show, all powered and enhanced by AI. Let's hope this year sees more substance and less hype.

An OS rebrand

Rumours say Apple will align all of its various operating systems by naming them after a year. So we'll see iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and so on. This despite the next version of iOS set to launch in the autumn of 2025, along with the iPhone 17. So it could still prove confusing.

Apple wouldn't be the first company to take this approach. In 2020, Samsung named the most recent of its Galaxy S phones the Galaxy S20, despite its predecessor being called the S10. This was followed by the S21 in 2021, S22 in 2022 and so on, right up to the Galaxy S25.

A new look could also be on the cards. Rumours say that some – and maybe all – of Apple's operating systems will get the same glassy, transparent look as visionOS, as seen on its Vision Pro headset.

New home cinema and audio goodies?

There's always the chance Apple is planning something more substantial for us fans of home cinema and audio.

Its AirPlay 2 wireless technology could be in for an update, upping its maximum video quality from 1080p HD to 4K and adding Dolby Atmos support.

The HomePod 2 is a couple of years old now, and the HomePod Mini a geriatric four-and-a-half years old, so either could be updated. Rumours have also swirled concerning a HomePod with a screen. Apple launched the Vision Pro at WWDC 2023, so new hardware isn't completely out of the question.

Finally, the Apple TV 4K is three years old, so could be in for an update. Or could Apple even launch a budget streamer to rival the likes of the Amazon Fire TV Stick?

For more on what we want to see, check out 3 big home cinema and audio announcements we're hoping to see at Apple's WWDC event.

How to watch

You can watch the WWDC keynote on Apple's website, on its YouTube channel, or right here in the window above. It starts on Monday 9th June at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST / 3am (Tuesday) AEST.

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best streaming devices

These are the best AirPods you can buy

iPhone 17 Air: all the rumours so far

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, better known as WWDC, officially commences on Monday, 9th of June, and we already have a wish list of announcements we're hoping to see during the live-streamed event.

WWDC is all about new software announcements, so we're already expecting to see the latest iterations of iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS in action. However, Apple has also been known to drop in a handful of hardware announcements in the past.

The Apple Vision Pro launched at WWDC 2023, and Apple has also launched redesigned MacBooks during previous WWDC live-streams, so new products aren't entirely out of the question.

While we're more enticed by the prospect of new HomePods, Apple TV 4K streamers and AirPods first and foremost, it's likely that Apple will save those announcements for a dedicated hardware announcement event.

Regardless, we can dream, so here are the hardware and software announcements we hope to see at WWDC 25...

AirPlay 3

Apple's wireless casting feature is commonplace in a wide range of home cinema and hi-fi equipment, and for iPad and iPhone users, it's a very nice feature to have.

Having the ability to beam video and/or audio to your TV, soundbar, amplifier or wireless speaker at the click of a button is a major draw of Apple's ecosystem, and it's simplified the idea of streaming to your hi-fi system for many.

However, AirPlay 2, the current version of Apple's casting system, does have a few limitations that we'd like to see addressed in a future version.

Video-wise, AirPlay 2 is limited to 1080p; unsurprisingly, we'd like to see that increased to 4K. It appears as though Google Cast, Google's answer to AirPlay, which is supported on Android smartphones and the Google TV Streamer, is capable of wireless 4K casting, so we'd like to see Apple catch up, especially on the Apple TV 4K.

Furthermore, audio limitations prevent wireless hi-res audio streams, as AirPlay 2 limits audio to 16-bit/44.1kHz or 24-bit/48kHz, and Dolby Atmos is also not supported over a wireless connection.

This is, of course, easier said than done, as limitations surrounding bandwidth apply; however, an improved audio codec that can rival Sony's LDAC or Qualcomm's aptX HD would be a huge boost to AirPlay's repertoire.

A new HomePod (with a screen, perhaps?)

Apple's HomePod range feels a little bit neglected compared to the iPhones, iPads and Macs. The surprise HomePod 2 dropped with little fanfare in 2023, while the HomePod Mini is still awaiting a proper sequel despite sitting on Apple Store shelves for over four and a half years.

Rumours have circulated of a new HomePod device that will sport a display of some sort for quite some time, though these are yet to materialise. So, could Apple drop a major new audio announcement at WWDC?

We're not holding our breath, but as we've previously mentioned, Apple has taken WWDC as an opportunity to unveil its more enthusiast-level products, such as the Vision Pro headset, before.

Thus an upgraded HomePod isn't entirely out of the question, be that a flagship model or a much-needed update to the HomePod Mini.

A huge update to tvOS (and a new Apple TV 4K)

Leaks and rumours of a huge tvOS update sprang up last week, with a major shake-up to the user interface speculated as a major feature. Apple is reportedly overhauling the software for all of its operating systems, with an equally huge refresh reportedly slated for iOS.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a reputable Apple insider who has correctly predicted major product releases including the Tandem OLED-touting iPad Pro M4, claims that a Vision Pro-inspired rework is coming to tvOS, with a translucent, glass-like theme at its core.

A fresh coat of paint would be appreciated, especially considering tvOS has looked the same since it launched 10 years ago, and considering the Apple TV 4K already nails picture and sound performance, so we'll gladly take an aesthetic upgrade.

We also think that we're well overdue a new Apple TV 4K streamer, as the currently available model is coming up on three years old. While the Apple TV 4K (2022) remains a top-notch media streamer, Apple could expand its lineup with a more powerful model or even a cheaper streaming stick to take on Amazon's popular products.

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best streaming devices

And read our full HomePod 2 review

As well as our iPhone 16 Pro review

Memorial Day weekend may be over, but there are still big savings to be made. Especially when it comes to great sounding wireless earbuds.

For just $199 at Walmart, you can secure an epic $50 saving on arguably the best AirPods on the market.

We think the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds that the tech giant has made to date. And now, they are sporting the lowest price we have seen.

You don't see discounts like these on Apple products very often and we imagine it won't stick around for much longer. So, act fast!

The AirPods Pro 2 are five-star wireless earbuds. And we haven't been able to say that about a pair of Apple buds before. This flagship pair are smooth and intuitive with new updated features that prove they are worthy of your money.

The Pro 2 impress in pretty much every area of wireless performance, especially when pitted against their direct competition, the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC.

We're talking a longer total battery life of around 30 hours with the charging case and six hours on a single charge, as well as seamless use with iOS devices, superb voice-call quality and fantastic sound.

And the active noise-cancelling in the Pro 2 also seriously impresses us. In our full review, we say: “Background noise disappears to a mere murmur, whether that’s office chatter or the roar of train engines on our daily commute.

“It’s a comfortable, airy effect, too, and does a great job of letting you enjoy your music without much distraction from the world around you.”

Sonically, we praised the AirPods Pro 2 for sounding “really, really good” and we continue to stand by that statement when comparing it with the rest of Apple's earbud line-up. The audio quality in these buds adds weight, great detail and even greater dynamic subtlety.

It's a huge leap in performance for Apple, with a relatively affordable price tag. And that price just got even better – just $199 at Walmart. Seriously, grab it while you can.

MORE:

Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review

Check out the best wireless earbuds: tried and tested

Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?

The arrival of any new Bowers & Wilkins product is always notable at What Hi-Fi?. The British brand is responsible for some of the finest hi-fi products ever made, so when its Px7 S3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones arrived recently, it only made sense to pit them against the highly rated rival pair from Apple.

Both the B&W Px7 S3 and AirPods Max are what we would class as premium headphones with price tags to match. Both were awarded five stars when we reviewed them individually and represent some of the best wireless headphones you can currently buy at this lofty level.

But that doesn’t help you to decide which ones you might want to own, does it? That’s why we’ve sat down with both pairs and directly compared them on everything from design and build to sound quality and noise-cancelling.

So, which pair of premium headphones most deserves to be on your head?

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: price

To paraphrase the great Tom Jones, it’s not unusual for Apple to charge a premium for its products, and the AirPods Max are no different.

In the UK, they currently sell for £499 (they’ve had £50 knocked off their original £549 asking price), but in the US and Australia you’ll have to shell out $549 / AU$899 for a pair.

While the Px7 S3 certainly aren’t what you’d call cheap, they launched at £399 / AU$699 (the US price is yet to be confirmed) and are a good deal more affordable than the AirPods Max.

**Winner: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3**

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: build and design

You might think that the price difference would be noticeable in the build quality and materials used, and that is true to an extent, but both pairs of headphones are very nicely made indeed.

The AirPods Max do feel slightly more premium, with their larger earcups and metallic finishes. The Digital Crown dial for controlling volume and playback remains beautifully engineered and responsive, while the headband pressure and hinges are both sturdy and well judged.

That the AirPods Max are slightly heavier (385g vs 300g) is more noticeable in the hand than on the head, but B&W's more lightweight and less-bulky design is likely to find favour as a more portable pair.

The AirPods Max's oversized earcups make quite the overt design statement compared to B&W's subtler profile. Both earcups are roomy enough for our reviewers, but the difference in cushion material makes a difference. The more breathable mesh fabric material on the AirPods Max stay cooler for longer listening periods, while the soft leather pads on the B&W can make our ears get sweaty rather quickly.

Neither pair folds up, but the pouch supplied with the Px7 S3 is much more serviceable than the so-called ‘Smart Case’ that you’re supposed to transport a pair of AirPods Max in, which doesn’t even cover them entirely.

It’s a bit like comparing an Audi and a Mercedes: both are well built and feel worth the money, and for many people it will just come down to personal preference, but we think the B&W Px7 S3 are just that little bit more portable and practical.

**Winner: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3**

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: features

A lot of Apple products work best when used with other Apple products, and that’s particularly true of the AirPods Max, which are seamless in use with multiple connected iOS products. Some of their features, such as personalised audio, head-tracking with spatial audio, and the use of Apple’s ‘Find My’ network, should your headphones go AWOL, are only available if you connect them to an Apple device.

They may be limited to a certain extent for Android users, then, which the Px7 S3's feature list is not.

Still, there are various features of the Px7 S3, including spatial audio and Auracast support, that are due to be added via a software update, although B&W hasn’t announced a specific date for this beyond a rather vague “later in 2025”.

As things stand, they still have far more comprehensive Bluetooth codec support than the AirPods Max, which only offer baseline AAC and SBC. The Px7 S3’s list includes those two, plus the higher quality aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, with next-gen Bluetooth features LC3 and LE Audio set to be part of the aforementioned update.

Both pairs of headphones support wired listening, which makes them sound even better. In the AirPods Max case, the cable required depends on which model you have. If you have the original Lightning connector edition, you'll need to buy a separate Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable; with the current USB-C edition, the included USB-C to USB-C charging cable will let you listen to lossless wired audio from other USB-C-compatible sources. However, a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable does need to be bought separately, for £39 / $39 / AU$65. B&W includes the USB-C-to-3.5mm audio cable in the box.

When it comes to battery life, the Px7 S3 are the clear winners. You’ll get 30 hours out of them before they conk out, and you only need to plug them in for 15 minutes to add seven hours of play time. If you get caught out by a dead battery on these, you’ve only got yourself to blame.

The AirPods Max have a little less staying power. Apple claims they’ll last up to 20 hours between charges, although our testing actually found that estimate to be a touch conservative. That’s still a lot less than you’ll get from the Px7 S3, but in reality you’re unlikely to find it problematic.

A five-minute charge adds 90 minutes of listening time – handy if you’re about to leave for work and find that they’re running low.

**Winner: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3**

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: noise-cancelling and call quality

Noise-cancelling performance has become a key battleground for premium wireless headphones, and there is only one runaway winner here.

Neither of these pairs bothers the class-leading Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones on the ANC front, but both have different effects.

Both have a pretty natural approach to noise-cancelling, instead of that intense, vacuum-like suction effect you get with some models. Both do a solid job of blocking out low-level rumbles around you, but the AirPods Max are far better at cancelling out general noise like voices, traffic and damping down the sharp edge of higher-frequency noises. With the B&W, you still hear quite a lot of those mid-frequency noises come through that bleeds into the music you're listening to, whereas the AirPods Max are better are putting you in a cocoon of subdued noise so you can concentrate on the music.

Both have effective transparency modes, which can be handy when you need to remain aware of what’s going on around you. Overall, we prefer the AirPods Max approach to noise-cancelling.

Those noise-cancelling mics also come in handy for making calls, and speech sounds natural through the Px7 S3, with background noise sufficiently suppressed. Voices come through with greater clarity and fullness through the B&W. Our voices sound more upfront through the AirPods Max, but there is a slight synthetic quality around the edges of our voices, and more environmental noise comes through than with the Px7 S3. Both are perfectly fine for voice calls, with B&W sounding just that bit more natural and clear.

For their more effective noise-cancelling talents, the AirPods Max are the clear favourite here.

**Winner: Apple AirPods Max**

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: sound quality

These are both five-star headphones, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are both very sonically capable.

When the AirPods Max launched back in 2020 with such a premium price tag, we certainly didn’t expect them to be quite as good as they are. Our review highlighted their authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness – all qualities befitting such a nicely built pair of cans.

The AirPods Max are exceptionally well-organised and are great with vocals, but they have a particular talent when it comes to digging into the details of a track. They really shine in the mid-to-upper ranges. Put on Radiohead’s exquisite Pyramid Song and the cymbal hits really ring through nicely. These are headphones that really make your music sparkle.

Despite knocking on for five years old (the 2024-released AirPods Max model with USB-C introduced in 2024 has the same sound), their sound quality remains surprisingly competitive despite the fresh competition that has arrived since.

Switch to the B&W Px7 S3, and almost all of the above remains applicable – just even more so. The B&W are clearer and more detailed. They have more punch and muscularity than the AirPods Max, with better bass reproduction and just a bit more solidity all round, but especially at the lower end of the frequency range. There’s more grip to textures, too.

The AirPods have a richness to their sound that is immediately likeable and are a touch more open, but the B&W are subtler, more precise and more dynamic. As we said in our Px7 S3 review: "The effect of being immersed in the centre of your tunes is thrilling, amplified by those remarkable levels of detail the Bowers & Wilkins over-ears unveil. The earthy strings on Nick Cave & Warren Ellis’s Song For Bob have real bite and grip as the track’s forlorn heart is revealed, while the varying components of John Williams’ Duel Of The Fates – rumbling drums, punchy horn stabs, operatic vocals – blend authenticity with a thrilling sense of drama."

**Winner: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3**

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Apple AirPods Max: verdict

This isn’t a case of one pair beating the other into submission; you could buy either of these products and be very happy with your purchase. But we’re not here to sit on the fence. After a while, it starts to get very uncomfortable.

After lengthy deliberation, it becomes clear that the new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are slightly ahead in more areas: they’re better endowed in the features department (and will become even more so when that firmware update arrives) and get one over it comfortably for battery life, too. We prefer the way they sound, and while their ANC isn't quite as good, they are crucially a meaningful amount cheaper.

You will have your own opinions on which ones look better, but this is a good example of more premium materials not necessarily translating to a more premium experience. We do love the Digital Crown dial on the AirPods Max and the fresh range of colours that the 2024 (soft) update brought, but the Px7 S3 is a better overall portable package with that bit more subtlety and class.

It goes down as a win for B&W, then, with its sonic strengths and less premium price making them the better value buy overall. However, if you do you opt for the pricier AirPods Max – especially if you're a dedicated iOS user – you won't be disappointed.

MORE:

Read our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review

And our Apple AirPods Max review

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: which five-star wireless headphones are better?

Check out our pick of the best wireless headphones

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are quite possibly the best AirPods you can get right now, and certainly the best wireless earbuds the tech giant currently makes. Now that they're currently sporting a tasty discount, we'd urge lovers of all things Apple to take a look.

For just $169 at Amazon, (and Walmart), you can grab this five-star pair for $80 less than their usual retail price of $249. Sure, it's not quite as good as the Black Friday deal, which saw them $15 cheaper, but it's certainly the best price we've seen so far this year.

Discounts as epic as this on Apple products don't come around very often, so you'll have to act fast to secure this deal before the price goes back up.

Best Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds deal

The Pro 2 excel in pretty much every key area of wireless performance, boasting top noise-cancelling capabilities, a healthy feature set and stellar sound. Highlights include around 30 hours total battery life (including the USB-C charging case), intuitive use with iOS devices, solid voice call quality and wireless charging capabilities.

Then there's the Pro 2's mightily impressive noise cancelling capabilities, which, while not quite on the same level as Bose's best, dampen external noises in a way that feels natural and comprehensive.

Noise cancelling also offers new additions like Adaptive Transparency for reducing loud noises whilst in Transparency Mode to keep you aware of your surroundings.

Sonically, the AirPods Pro 2 are a cut above a lot of their competitors at the money. There's clarity and detail to be found, but what impressed us during our tests was how rich and powerful the Pro 2 sounded.

They're also rhythmically adept, adding a feeling of drive and propulsion to tunes and giving your music the energy and momentum it needs to feel truly exciting.

As we stated in our AirPods Pro 2 review: "They deliver a sound that’s very capable while also being very easy and fun to listen to. Regardless of what you’re listening to, the AirPods Pro 2 turn their hand skillfully to all genres of music."

Now they're even more affordable with this super deal from Amazon. Check it out and make a great saving before the price inevitably goes back up.

MORE:

Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review

Check out the best wireless earbuds: tried and tested

Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?

Beats headphones have improved a lot since the company was acquired by Apple in 2014. Once the brand stopped cranking up the bass and started focusing just as much effort on every other part of the frequency range, its headphones became more balanced and favourable.

As well as being more affordable than Apple's own over-ear equivalents, Beats headphones work much better with Android devices (AirPods do play ball with Android phones, but Android users still miss out on a lot of their features).

So if you're eyeing up an over-ear pair, which should you buy? Do you spend big on the AirPods Max or save some money by opting for the Beats Studio Pro?

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: price

There's quite a difference between the two pairs in terms of price.

In 2023, we reviewed the Beats Studio Pro at £350 / $350 / AU$530, but that price has since dropped considerably. They currently go for as little as £180 / $250 (the Australian price has remained stubborn).

You might expect the AirPods Max, as the older pair, to have received an even bigger price reduction, but you'd be disappointed. They currently sell for around £500 / $500 / AU$899 – only £50 / $50 cheaper than their launch price. (Again, the Australian price has mostly remained constant.)

Beats headphones are more likely than Apple pairs to be discounted come sales time, though the AirPods Max have seen some great deals over the years (admittedly mostly just before the 2024 USB-C model launched in order to clear old stock). But still, you never know your luck.

** Winner: Beats Studio Pro **

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: design and build

When they launched in 2020, the AirPods Max set a new bar in terms of over-ear headphone design. In fact, they pretty much invented a new category of super-premium cans that sit above the likes of the once-'premium' Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Indeed, such headphones feel positively cheap next to the Apple over-ears. Once you experience the AirPods Max's pristinely machined, single-piece anodised aluminium ear cups, stainless-steel headband and memory foam ear cushions, you start to understand why they cost so much.

They are over 100g heavier than the Beats Studio Pro. But the design distributes the weight so well that they don't feel their weight. You can comfortably listen for hours on end.

The physical controls are a joy to use, especially the dial that takes inspiration from the Apple Watch's digital crown. It's just a shame the case is so poor – not only does it look silly, it's not particularly effective at protecting the headphones. Sadly, this wasn't remedied with the 2024 AirPods Max refresh.

The Beats Studio Pro's design is very clean and chic, but they're not as premium-feeling as their AirPods Max stablemates. Which is hardly surprising given the difference in price.

Truth be told, they are a little dull to look at, mostly due to just one colour being used throughout the design. But they are robust and flexible, and they have one key design feature that the AirPods Max lack: they fold down for easier storage.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Max **

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: features

The AirPods Max are well-specced in most areas, but battery life isn't one of them. Their 20 hours of use pales in comparison to the likes of the cheaper Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, both of which offer 30 hours of use.

Again, Apple sadly did not choose to improve on this when it refreshed the cans at the end of 2024.

The Beats Studio Pro fare a little better, with 24 hours of runtime. But that's still not fantastic, given the aforementioned rivals. Oh, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless deliver a staggering 60 hours!

The Beats have the superior fast-charging feature. Just 10 minutes of plug time gets you four hours of use, whereas the AirPods Max deliver 90 minutes of runtime from a five-minute charge.

Both pairs support wired listening, but only the Beats Studio Pro include an audio cable in the box. This is USB-C-to-USB-C, so if you own an older iPhone, you'll need a Lightning adapter to allow wired listening through the Beats cans. Both pairs require power to work, even when listening wired.

Wired listening gives the Beats lossless playback (up to 24-bit/48kHz), and lets you select from a list of sound profiles. But oddly, you can't select these when listening wirelessly, which seems like a rather large omission.

Another omission is the lack of a dedicated Apple-made chip so that they work better with Android devices.

Meanwhile, the AirPods Max are powered by an Apple chip, the H1, which analyses information coming in from eight microphones around the headphones to perform active noise cancellation and tailor the sound in real-time to the fit and seal around your ears.

Apple has also kitted them out with its own 40mm driver featuring a dual neodymium ring magnet motor. This allows the Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than one per cent across the entire audible range.

Like the AirPods Max, the Studio Pro support Apple's immersive Spatial Audio technology, with dynamic head tracking working to 'anchor' the sound to the source from which it is coming.

Like other Beats headphones, they gain full Android support via the Beats app, but they are missing a couple of features common to most of their rivals: on-head detection and Bluetooth Multipoint. Curious.

They do support Apple's audio sharing feature, though, which lets you share a wireless audio stream with another pair of headphones. Though this only works with other Apple headphones – an odd decision for a supposedly Android-friendly pair of headphones.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Max **

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: noise cancellation

The AirPods Max are very good noise cancellers, even if they do fall short of greatness. They block a lot of unwanted sounds, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 do a better job of silencing constant drones like engine noise.

Transparency mode does what it is intended to do – let in outside sound – though it does sound a little synthetic and processed. A mode like this is also more useful on earbuds, which you would wear while exercising. But it can come in handy and works well when needed.

The earpads are also nice and big, covering your ears and blocking out a decent chunk of sound. So even without activating the noise cancellation feature, they do a decent job of dulling the world around you.

Again, the Beats Studio Pro fare decently in this regard. They have both fully adaptive and Transparency modes, and both work well. But across the frequency range, they're not quite as effective at blocking external noise as their pricier Apple siblings.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Max **

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: sound

To listen to, the Apple pair is "very special indeed", to quote our five-star Apple Max review.

The delivery is crisp and spacious, with plenty of clarity and energy. They're an engaging listen, sounding precise and exciting.

Listening to The Road by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, our expert reviews team noted: "The AirPods Max nail the beautiful inconsistencies in the timing and pressure of the piano notes that come from the live nature of the recording. They're both organic and precise, with lovely, subtle degradation to the tail of each note, but a definite, precise end when the vibration of the strings is stopped."

They add a physicality to the performance that's missed by lesser headphones.

Watching a movie in Spatial Audio, the effect is superb. The presentation is completely immersive, and the tracking is amazingly smooth and accurate as you move your head. Combining the AirPods Max with one of the best iPads will give you the most convincing portable cinema experience going.

The Beats Studio Pro only earned three stars in our review, and that's largely down to the sound quality.

Listening to Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey In The Jar, there's a feeling of sonic detachment and a real lack of rhythmic drive. It's all a bit monotonous and dull, which is not at all the Thin Lizzy we know and love.

Bass notes can feel fat and muddled, and while listening via the supplied cable does mean an uplift in quality, they still lack subtlety.

Lossless listening via USB-C does add some sparkle, though. "A hi-res recording of Fleet Foxes' Wading In Waist-High Water hits with real force, and while greater dynamic peaks and troughs would be nice, we're treated to a clearer, more confident showing with the cable attached," we wrote in our Studio Pro review.

In summary, the Studio Pro by no means disgrace themselves, but they don't perform as well as the best at their price level, not to mention a very good and more expensive pair such as the AirPods Max.

** Winner: Apple AirPods Max **

Beats Studio Pro vs Apple AirPods Max: verdict

The Beats Studio Pro do have some advantages over the AirPods Max. They're cheaper, for one thing, and are a better fit for Android devices.

In a choice between the two, however, the AirPods Max are the clear winner. And if you can't afford them, we would recommend a price-suitable pair in our best wireless headphones buying guide over the three-star Beats Studio Pro, which don't even make our list of best Beats headphones.

MORE:

The best AirPods money can buy

And the best AirPods alternatives

Apple AirPods Max tips: how to pair, reset, charge and more

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max: which are better?

Here's some long-awaited good news for AirPods Max users. Following a software update in April, you will finally be able to listen to the current (USB-C) AirPods Max headphones in wired mode.

Not only that but wired audio playback will also support 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio transmission.

Apple updated its £499 / $549 AirPods Max wireless over-ears last September with a USB-C charging port and a fresh assortment of colour finishes, with no other design or hardware upgrades to speak of.

But we discovered it had quietly dropped the wired listening feature that was available in the original Lightning connector-equipped model – a rather disappointing move.

Thankfully, Apple is finally rectifying this (a good six months after the new Max's launch, mind) and at no cost. The included USB-C to USB-C cable can be used to listen to audio from your USB-C iPhone or MacBook, while the firmware update for the headphones is free.

If you want more flexibility, Apple is now selling a USB-C-to-3.5mm audio cable for £39 / $39 / AU$65 that allows you to plug the AirPods Max into a wide variety of sources for 'lossless' wired listening.

Apple also sells a Lighting-to-3.5mm audio cable that facilitates wired listening on the original AirPods Max, a feature which was available at its launch in 2020, although the limited analogue-to-digital conversion in the cable meant that playback wasn't completely lossless (i.e. free of compression).

Apple says: "With this update, AirPods Max will unlock 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio, preserving the integrity of original recordings and allowing listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio."

It goes without saying that 24-bit/48kHz is considerably higher quality than the standard Bluetooth AAC codec used when listening wirelessly, but it also coincides with Apple Music's 'lossless' audio tier.

So if you have an Apple Music subscription, you can fully enjoy its 100-million-strong 'Lossless' streams using the wired connection on the AirPods Max. Just make sure that your Apple Music's audio quality settings are set to 'lossless' (24-bit/48kHz ALAC).

Note that this update still won't enable AirPods Max playback of Apple Music's 'Hi-Res Lossless' streams, which Apple defines as above 24-bit/48kHz, up to 192kHz.

In addition, this upcoming update will bring ultra-low latency to the AirPods Max, which "significantly lowers lag time" when gaming, live streaming and creating music.

Apple also claims that the AirPods Max "will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalised Spatial Audio with headtracking" – when using USB-C and Logic Pro for Mac software.

When will this update come through for AirPods Max? The headphones will update alongside the firmware updates for iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 sometime in April.

We'll be sure to update our AirPods Max sample and test this feature in detail to confirm that it works as soon as it's available.

MORE:

Read our original AirPods Max review

Did Apple drop wired listening on the new AirPods Max? (Until now...)

Best wireless headphones: reviewed and rated by our in-house experts