### The New AirPods Pro 3: An In-Depth Examination of Battery Life
The newly released AirPods Pro 3 have attracted attention due to their enhanced battery life on a single charge when compared to their predecessor, the AirPods Pro 2. Users can anticipate up to two extra hours of listening time with this latest version, making it an appealing option for those who value prolonged use during uninterrupted music or podcast activities.
Nevertheless, a surprising development emerges when evaluating the overall battery life, which also takes into account the charging case. Apple asserts that the AirPods Pro 3 provide a cumulative total of 24 hours of listening time when the case is included, a marked decline from the 30 hours offered by the AirPods Pro 2. This indicates a 25% reduction in total battery life, which may catch potential buyers off guard.
#### Single Session vs. Total Battery Life
For users who often engage in lengthy listening experiences, the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds shine with their improved battery performance. With active noise cancellation enabled, these earbuds can last considerably longer on a single charge. Moreover, if users utilize the new heart rate sensor, they can anticipate about an additional half hour of battery life compared to what was available with the AirPods Pro 2. Additionally, when using the Hearing Aid Transparency mode, the AirPods Pro 3 can deliver up to 10 hours of battery life.
Conversely, the charging case of the AirPods Pro 3 seems to feature a diminished battery capacity. Despite the case dimensions being akin to those of the AirPods Pro 2, the weight has been reduced from 50.8 grams to 44 grams. This adjustment indicates that the internal battery of the AirPods Pro 3 case is likely less powerful. One possible reason for this reduction might be the introduction of the U2 chip, which replaces the U1 chip found in the previous version. The U2 chip may draw more power or occupy more space, prompting Apple to choose a smaller battery.
#### Implications for Users
Due to these modifications, users should be prepared for the need to recharge the AirPods Pro 3 case more often. While the AirPods Pro 2 case could recharge the earbuds up to four times, the new case might only accomplish two complete recharges before needing to be plugged in. This results in a total listening time of 24 hours, down from the former 30 hours.
In conclusion, while the AirPods Pro 3 provide enhanced performance for continuous listening sessions, the overall battery life, especially when factoring in the charging case, has experienced a decline. Users will need to consider the advantages of extended single-session battery life against the increased frequency of charging the case.
