Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade from the Powerbeats Pro 2?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 6.0 points above the Powerbeats Pro 2. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in noise cancelling (7.5 to 9.5), calls (7.0 to 8.5) and sound (8.0 to 8.5). On paper: multipoint pairing, driver size 9.5 mm to 10.7 mm and case weight 69 g to 43.99 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 10 h to 8 h and battery life (anc on) goes 10 h to 8 h. It's also $18 cheaper, which makes this an easy call. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.08.5
- Noise cancelling7.59.5
- Battery8.08.0
- Calls7.08.5
- Value7.07.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 10 h | 8 h | |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes | |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 10 h | 8 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 45 h | 24 h | |
| Driver size | 9.5 mm | 10.7 mm | |
| Case weight | 69 g | 43.99 g | |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1.5 h | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | |
| Controls | both | touch |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Powerbeats Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.