Apple AirPods Pro 3 remain $179 on Amazon after Prime Day, Independent pits them against AirPods 5

The flagship earbuds stay 28% off their list price, while Independent evaluates whether the cheaper AirPods 5 offer comparable features.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:20:08 GMT

Amazon continues to list Apple AirPods Pro 3 at $179, a 28% discount from the $249 list price, even after the October 6‑7 Prime Day event, according to Mashable. The Independent contrasts the Pro 3 with the newer AirPods 5, which start at £119 (about $150) and cost £80 less than the Pro 3.

What happened

During Prime Day, Amazon reduced the price of the AirPods Pro 3 to $179. The sale officially ended on October 7, but the price has not reverted, keeping the earbuds 28% cheaper than their regular price. The Independent’s review, published on October 8, notes that the AirPods 5 are available for £119 (£80 less than the Pro 3’s £199 price) and include features such as wireless charging, on‑stem volume controls, and longer battery life.

What the reports add

Mashable reported the exact discount amount ($70 off) and highlighted new hardware upgrades: twice the noise‑cancellation capability, five ear‑tip sizes, a next‑gen Adaptive EQ, built‑in health tracking with heart‑rate sensors, and live translation powered by Apple Intelligence. The Independent added a side‑by‑side comparison, stating that the AirPods 5 share many of the Pro 3’s strengths—sound quality, active noise cancellation, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration—while costing less and lacking the Pro 3’s premium ANC and health sensors.

What was said

Adam Doud of Mashable gave the AirPods Pro 3 a 4.75/5 rating, saying the earbuds create “a literal cone of silence that wipes out everything from loud crowded rooms to chatter.” The Independent’s reviewer, writing under the byline “I’m an AirPods devotee,” argued that the AirPods 5 are “the best‑value AirPods that Apple has made,” noting they “offer an awful lot of what makes the AirPods Pro 3 so good, without the premium price tag.”

How it came about

Amazon’s October Prime Day discounts were previewed in Felo’s earlier coverage of early‑day headphone deals (early Prime Day Noise‑Canceling Headphone Deals 2026) and of Apple‑specific offers (Apple Prime Day deals slash prices on Mac mini, AirPods Pro 3 and Watch Series 12). Those pieces noted that the AirPods Pro 3 would be discounted during the event, a price point that remains in place according to the current reports.

Key facts

Amazon lists Apple AirPods Pro 3 at $179, a 28% discount from the $249 list price. (mashable.com)
The Independent compares AirPods Pro 3 with AirPods 5, which start at £119 and cost £80 less than the Pro 3. (independent.co.uk)
Mashable highlights new features in the Pro 3: double noise‑cancellation, five ear‑tip sizes, health tracking, and live translation. (mashable.com)
The Independent’s reviewer rates the AirPods 5 as the best‑value AirPods, noting similar sound quality and ANC to the Pro 3. (independent.co.uk)