Skip or Buy? Breaking Down Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, Ultra 3, and iPhone 17

Apple’s September event always feels like tech’s version of the new season drop, familiar yet just different enough to get us talking. This year, the company leaned into refinement rather than reinvention, with the kind of updates that make you go: “Nice… but do I actually need this?” Let’s break it down.

AirPods Pro 3 – Subtle Shifts, Familiar Ground

The headline feature is better noise cancellation, Apple claims it’s twice as effective as the already excellent AirPods Pro 2. Add in a redesigned fit with foam tips in more sizes, longer battery life (up to 8 hours with ANC on), and the first-ever heart-rate tracking baked into earbuds. There’s even live translation in beta, which feels like a glimpse of sci-fi.

But here’s the kicker: if you own AirPods Pro 2, you’re not missing much. With iOS 26, you’ll get live translation, improved call quality, studio-grade recording, and camera control via the AirPods stem. Which means the real differentiators for Pro 3 boil down to hardware: stronger ANC, a tweaked design, extra battery, and heart-rate sensing. And if you’re already in Apple’s ecosystem with an Apple Watch, you don’t exactly need your earbuds to track your pulse. Translation: if you’re happy with your Pro 2, skip this one.

Feature	AirPods Pro 3 (New Hardware)	AirPods Pro 2 (via iOS 26 update)
ANC	“World’s best” ANC, 2× stronger	Already excellent ANC, no upgrade
Design / Fit	Foam-infused tips, 5 sizes, IP57 rating	Same design, IP54 rating
Battery life	Up to 8 hrs with ANC (33% longer)	~6 hrs with ANC
Heart-rate tracking	Built-in PPG sensor, fitness integration	Not available
Live Translation	Yes	Yes
Camera control	Yes	Yes
Studio-quality audio recording	Yes	Yes
Adaptive EQ / Personalized Volume	Enhanced version	Older version

Apple Watch Ultra 3 – Built for the 10%

The Ultra 3 is Apple doubling down on the “adventure watch” identity. Satellite connectivity headlines the update, letting you text, share your location, or trigger emergency SOS off the grid. Add 5G cellular, a slightly larger and more efficient display, and extended battery life that stretches to 42 hours. On paper, it’s a beast.

But let’s be honest: 90% of people don’t need satellite texting. LTE already does the job for most, and the Ultra 2 already lasts two days on a charge with one of the best smartwatch displays out there. The real kicker? Hypertension detection and sleep score, the health features Apple showed off are also coming to Ultra 2 via watchOS 26.

So unless you’re trekking into the wilderness or absolutely need off-grid comms, there’s no burning reason to upgrade. Ultra 3 is for explorers, not desk dwellers.

Feature	Ultra 3 (New Hardware)	Ultra 2 (via watchOS 26 update)
Satellite SOS / Messaging	Yes – two-way messaging & location sharing	Not available
5G cellular	Yes (dual-antenna system)	LTE only
Display	Larger LTPO3 OLED, thinner bezels, faster always-on refresh	LTPO2 OLED
Battery life	Up to 42 hrs daily / 72 hrs low power	Up to 36 hrs daily / 60 hrs low power
Hypertension detection	Yes	Yes
Sleep score	Yes	Yes
Workout Buddy (AI coaching)	Yes	Yes
Wrist-flick gesture	Yes	Yes
UI / Smart Stack / Notes app	Yes	Yes

iPhone 17 – The Real Star

This is where Apple’s polish really shines. The iPhone 17 and its Pro siblings feel like the most complete lineup in years. ProMotion finally comes to the base models, no more 60 Hz purgatory. The front camera jumps to 18 MP with Center Stage, while the Pro models get insane 8× optical-quality zoom and pro-grade video features. The iPhone Air steals the design spotlight, at just 5.6 mm thin in a titanium body, the kind of “wow” you can feel in your hand.

Storage now starts at 256 GB across the board, the A19 chips bring better performance with cooler thermals, and durability gets a boost with Ceramic Shield 2. Whether you’re upgrading from a 12 or a 16, the jump is real: smoother displays, better cameras, bigger batteries, and a fresher look that screams 2025. Even if you don’t care about the new design, the combination of camera, display, and longevity makes it a solid upgrade no matter where you’re coming from.

This event was all about context. AirPods Pro 3 and Ultra 3 are cool, but for most existing owners, they’re optional luxuries. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, feels like the actual leap forward — the one that makes your old phone suddenly look and feel dated. Apple didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it did what it does best: refine the wheel until it feels inevitable.