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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Whats different this time?

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Apple's Sept. 9 "Awe Dropping" event featured the debut of the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which will start shipping on Sept. 19. That gives you a little over a week to decide if you want to upgrade.

Apple last updated the AirPods Pro wireless earbuds back in 2023, when the company finally gave the AirPods Pro 2 a USB-C charging port. The AirPods Pro 2 hit the market a year earlier in 2022. In other words, Apple fans have been waiting three years for a proper AirPods Pro update.

So what does that update bring? We dive into AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 comparisons below.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Price

Let's start with good news. Even as other headphones and earbuds get more expensive, the AirPods Pro 3 have the same retail price as the previous model.

  • AirPods Pro 3: $249

  • AirPods Pro 2: $249

It is worth noting that the AirPods Pro 2 are frequently on sale for $169, even reaching a record low of $149 over Prime Day. We don't expect to see them in stock for that much longer now that the Pro 3s are out, so if you're looking for a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank, pick up the Pro 2 while you can.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Sound quality

This is hard to evaluate until we can review the new earbuds properly. For now, here's what we know

  • AirPods Pro 3: Personalized spatial audio with head tracking, new multiport acoustic audio design to improve spatial audio

  • AirPods Pro 2: Personalized spatial audio with head tracking

transparent view of left pro 3 airpod

The new acoustic design allows for even better sound quality on the Pro 3 earbuds.
Credit: Apple / Screenshot

Though the sound quality didn't take center stage of Apple's AirPods announcement (fair, considering how good the previous gen sounds), Apple didn't ignore it completely. The fruit company noted the third gen Pros will come with a new acoustic design that helps bring out the lows, mids, and highs, particularly in the spatial audio.

Apple also noted improvements to the sound of transparency mode, which is intriguing, considering the AirPods Pro already offer one of the best transparency modes out there.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Active noise cancellation

  • AirPods Pro 3: Double the ANC of the AirPods Pro 2

  • AirPods Pro 2: Double the active noise cancellation of the first-generation AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro 2 have long been one of our favorite pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds, with Mashable's Stan Schroeder deeming their ANC so good that he called them "the first pair of earbuds I'd actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones)."

While we don't have our hands on them just yet, the fact that Apple claims the Pro 3's ANC has twice the noise-blocking power is also worth noting. The addition of foam in the ear tips (more on that below) also helps with passive ANC.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Design

  • AirPods Pro 3: Five sizes of foam-infused ear tips, IP57 water- and dust-resistance rating, smaller body with updated ear tip alignment, H2 chip

  • AirPods Pro 2: Three sizes of silicone ear tips, IP54 water- and dust-resistance rating, H2 chip

Apple kept the general design of the earbuds the same, and the chipset exactly the same. However, they did make improvements, offering more choices of ear tips, as well as foam-lined ear tips for better passive noise cancellation.

In their efforts to make the AirPods Pro an even better earbud for working out, they made the earbud itself even smaller, and increased the IP rating, so you can worry less while you sweat more.

person planking while wearing airpods pro 3

The improved IP-rating of the AirPods Pro 3 makes them a better option for exercise.
Credit: Apple

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Battery life

  • AirPods Pro 3: Eight hours per charge

  • AirPods Pro 2: Six hours per charge, 30 hours with case

While we don't have confirmation on the case battery life just yet, the two hour per charge improvement is a solid one, especially considering the norm for most noise-cancelling earbuds these days is leaning toward the seven to eight hour range.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Health features

  • AirPods Pro 3: Hearing Aid mode, heart rate monitoring, custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, Apple Fitness app compatibility, Workout Buddy

  • AirPods Pro 2: Hearing Aid mode

Two people talking at cafe table while wearing airpods pro 3

The Hearing Aid feature is one of many health features found on the AirPods Pro 3.
Credit: Apple

Apple went all-in on the fitness features with the AirPods Pro 3, adding a heart rate monitor (a la the Powerbeats Pro 2), as well as the ability to use the Apple Fitness app on your iPhone to start up to 50 different workout types, track calories burned, and close Move rings. This is made possible by the combination of the monitoring from the PPG sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS found in the buds.

Alongside the Fitness app compatibility, the AirPods Pro 3 also work with your iPhone for a new feature, Workout Buddy, which was announced during WWDC earlier this year. Workout Buddy uses Apple Intelligence to combine workout data and fitness history to generate goals.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. 2: Live translation

  • AirPods Pro 3: Includes live translation feature

  • AirPods Pro 2: No live translation available

The AirPods Pro 3 got the rumored live translation feature, which allows for automatic translation in-person in French English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with availability for Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) slated to come later this year.

While wearing the AirPods Pro 3, users can use their iPhone as a display to the non-AirPods wearer to show the transcription of the conversation, which gets translated directly in the AirPods-wearer's ear. More instantaneous translation can happen in both people in the conversation have the Pro 3 AirPods, with the earbuds' ANC automatically lowering the actual voices of each speaker so the translation is easier to hear.

Where to buy AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3


AirPods Pro 2

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$199
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How to watch Raptors vs. Celtics online for free

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TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


The NBA season is taking shape. Not many fans expected the Toronto Raptors to be so high up in the standings at this stage, but those boys have got something good going this season. The energy is infectious, and they'll be expecting to roll over the Celtics this weekend.

If you want to watch Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Raptors vs. Celtics?

Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.

How to watch Raptors vs. Celtics for free

Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

  2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video


ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

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Give the gift of a fun new hobby with these AI-powered piano lessons

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TL;DR: Learning piano is easy with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, and now a lifetime subscription is just $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through Dec. 7.



Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription

Credit: Skoove

Give the gift of a new hobby this holiday season. If you have a loved one who would be interested in learning to play an instrument, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets them pick up piano at home.

Now just in time for the holiday season, you can score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for only $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through December 7.

Start a new hobby this holiday season with Skoove piano lessons

It’s never too late to learn piano. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons even brings the instruction to you — all you’ll need is a keyboard or a piano and your favorite device. Its AI-powered instruction listens to what you’re playing, recognizes your notes, and even provides real-time feedback so you can improve with each lesson.

Over one million people are learning piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. The lessons can fit into your busy schedule, just pull up the app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and start learning. There is instruction from beginner to advanced levels, and you can learn anything from pop tunes to Beethoven classics.

Your lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons gives you access to over 400 interactive lessons and thousands of instructional videos, with new ones added every month. And while your day-to-day lessons are powered by AI, you can also reach real music instructors for one-on-one support if needed.

Save big and score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for only $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through Dec. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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How to watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL online for free

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TL;DR: Live stream Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


Week 14 of the NFL season promises some intriguing matchups, including the Cincinnati Bengals at the Buffalo Bills. Despite inconsistent form and a win-loss record of 4-8, the Bengals aren't out of the playoffs race just yet and they'll be looking to follow up last week's decisive win over the Baltimore Ravens with another victory.

The Bills are coming off a win and have much better form overall — they're currently 8-4 — so both teams will bring their very best. All of which means it's a game worth logging on to watch.

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If you want to watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bengals vs. Bills?

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Bengals vs. Bills for free

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bengals vs. Bills for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

  4. Visit TVNZ+

  5. Live stream Bengals vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world


ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

$12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most services offer deals such as free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL at cost whatsoever. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like TVNZ+, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for just $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

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