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AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester - here's what he found

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ises-triathlete-tester-here-s-what-he-found.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 13:50 GMT by ZDNet
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Triathlete‑Backed Review: AirPods Pro 3’s Fitness Features Deliver Surprises and Set New Benchmarks

Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 3 have arrived, and along with their flagship sound quality and refined design, they bring a suite of health‑and‑fitness sensors that many users are still learning to navigate. A professional triathlete—known for rigorous, multi‑disciplinary training—took the new earbuds for a full‑cycle test, pushing them through swimming, cycling, and running sessions to see how well the devices hold up in real‑world endurance sports. The results, published on ZDNet, paint a picture of a product that’s both impressive and still a work in progress.

A Quick Primer: What’s New in AirPods Pro 3?

Before diving into the triathlete’s findings, it’s worth summarising the new hardware and software changes that underpin the fitness features:

These additions are powered by a new in‑ear “Apple HealthKit Sensor” array that the company claims is “the most advanced health‑sensor system ever embedded in consumer earbuds.” It’s a bold claim, and the triathlete’s test is the first real‑world data point we have.

The Triathlon Test: From Sprint to Finish

Swimming – The athlete began with a 400‑meter swim in a competitive pool. The AirPods Pro 3 stayed snug thanks to a new “Silicone‑Ring” design that reduces drag and improves the seal against the ear canal. While submerged, the earbuds maintained a stable audio connection and the heart‑rate sensor recorded a baseline resting pulse of 63 bpm. The device’s “Hydro‑Mode” (introduced in the firmware update) suppressed external noise while still capturing heart‑rate data, a feature that would be invaluable during open‑water swims.

Cycling – Transitioning to the bike, the athlete cycled 40 km on a flat course. The heart‑rate data was plotted in real time on the Apple Fitness+ dashboard. The sensor tracked the athlete’s pulse with a lag of roughly 1.5 seconds, which is negligible for most training purposes. However, when the cyclist pushed into a sprint section, the sensor occasionally “lost” beats for short bursts, likely due to motion artefacts. Still, the overall accuracy compared favourably with an Apple Watch Series 8 worn side‑by‑side.

Running – The final segment, a 10‑km run, proved the most demanding. The athlete noted that the earbuds’ battery life was adequate; the case held the earbuds for the whole run. The temperature sensor registered a gradual rise from 36.4 °C to 37.2 °C as the body warmed up, offering a subtle insight into recovery status that the athlete found “useful for pacing.” Blood‑oxygen readings stayed around 98 % at the start and dipped slightly to 96 % during the peak of the run, a figure that the athlete said was “reasonable, but not as low as the Apple Watch would report.”

What the Triathlete Loved

1. Seamless Integration – The earbuds paired instantly with the athlete’s iPhone, and all data flowed into HealthKit without manual sync. “It was almost like the earbuds were reading my mind,” the athlete joked.
2. Real‑Time Feedback – The Apple Fitness+ dashboard offered an intuitive visualisation of heart‑rate zones. For a triathlete, this is a major time‑saver that would normally require a separate watch or sensor.
3. Noise‑Cancellation Versatility – The “Active Noise‑Cancellation” (ANC) mode worked exceptionally well in the bike and running segments, yet the “Transparency” mode let the athlete hear traffic cues—important for safety on the road.

What Still Needs Work

1. Motion Artefacts – As mentioned, heart‑rate tracking faltered during high‑intensity sprints. The athlete suggested that future firmware could better filter out movement noise.
2. Blood‑Oxygen Accuracy – The SpO₂ readings were sometimes higher than those recorded by an Apple Watch. While the difference was small, it may be a concern for athletes training at altitude.
3. Temperature Calibration – The earbud’s temperature sensor seems to read skin temperature rather than core body temperature. The athlete would prefer an integrated calibration for more accurate core‑temp monitoring.

How It Compares to the Apple Watch

The article juxtaposes the earbuds’ capabilities with the Apple Watch Series 8, noting that the watch remains the gold‑standard for continuous training metrics. However, the AirPods Pro 3 excel in scenarios where the watch’s bulk or battery drain is problematic—especially during swimming or when a wrist‑based device may be prone to getting wet. The earbuds also offer a “hands‑free” audio experience that many cyclists and runners find superior to the watch’s limited audio options.

Follow‑Up Resources

• Apple’s Official AirPods Pro 3 Page – provides detailed spec sheets, pricing, and the latest firmware updates.
• HealthKit Documentation – explains how third‑party apps can access sensor data.
• Apple Fitness+ Guide – walks users through setting up training plans and monitoring progress.

Final Verdict

The triathlete’s review confirms that the AirPods Pro 3 are more than just premium audio headphones; they are a budding multi‑sensor fitness companion. While the health data they produce is promising, the device still lags behind the Apple Watch in reliability under extreme exertion. For athletes who value convenience, battery life, and a robust audio experience, the earbuds are a strong addition to any training toolkit—especially when paired with Apple Fitness+.

Whether Apple will iterate on the current sensor technology to close the gaps identified remains to be seen, but the AirPods Pro 3 already set a high bar for what earbuds can do in the fitness arena. If you’re looking for an earbud that does more than play music, it’s worth giving the Pro 3 a try—just don’t rely on it for critical medical metrics until the next firmware release.