AirPods Pro 3 Coming This Fall – Here's What We Know

[MacRumors]

Despite being over two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. Rumors suggest AirPods Pro 3 could arrive as soon as September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, giving prospective AirPods buyers a dilemma: snap up the proven AirPods Pro 2 at today's prices, or hold off for the next‑generation model that could raise the bar once again?

Apart from their sonic strengths, the enduring popularity of AirPods Pro 2 owes much to Apple's ongoing feature rollouts. iOS 17 (2023) introduced Adaptive Audio, mute controls, and faster device switching. iOS 18 (2024) followed up with head‑gesture Siri commands, Voice Isolation, finer Adaptive Audio sliders, and a Personalized Spatial Audio mode for gamers. Apple then used iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 to add FDA‑authorized hearing‑aid functionality in supported regions, letting AirPods Pro 2 double as over‑the‑counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss.

2025 AirPods Pro: What the Rumors Say

Design and Case Tweaks

Every credible report agrees that AirPods Pro 3 will inherit today's software feature set, but hardware refinements are also expected. Multiple supply‑chain sources point to a refreshed look for both the buds and the case, with rumors of a slimmer form factor, a concealed status LED, and a front‑facing capacitive pairing button – an approach taken for Apple's fourth‑generation AirPods.

Audio Processor and ANC Upgrades

Under the hood, Apple is said to be testing a faster audio chip that drives "much better" Active Noise Cancellation than the already‑impressive AirPods Pro 2 manage. That bump will be crucial if Apple hopes to stay ahead of rivals like Sony's WF‑1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra.

Health Sensors: Heart‑Rate Monitoring

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is adding in‑ear heart‑rate tracking to AirPods Pro 3. The company's recent Powerbeats Pro 2 already capture heart data during workouts but cannot stream music to gym equipment simultaneously. Apple will need to nail seamless audio playback alongside biometric reporting if AirPods Pro 3 are to satisfy fitness‑focused users, but Apple Watch owners are unlikely to be enthused by heart rate monitoring, given they already have the feature on their wrist.

In‑Ear Temperature Detection

Apple is also researching ear‑canal temperature sensing, which – if it ships – could offer faster, more reliable body‑temperature readings than the skin‑temperature estimates produced by Apple Watch Series 8 and later. Whether the sensor will be production‑ready in time for a 2025 release remains unclear.

On‑Device Live Translation

One rumor claims AirPods Pro 3 will partner with the iPhone's Translate app to deliver real‑time conversation translation directly through the earbuds. Imagine an English speaker hearing an instant English rendition of a Spanish counterpart's words (and vice versa) without fumbling with handheld devices. Implementation details are still thin, but the idea fits in with Apple's broader AI push.

iOS 26 Feature Updates

Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates will add several new features to AirPods via a firmware update, including the auto-pausing audio when you fall asleep, the ability to use AirPods as a camera remote, an option to keep audio in your AirPods when your iPhone connected to other playback devices (like car stereos), and improved call quality.

Looking Ahead

Longer‑term, analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo believes Apple is prototyping AirPods with infrared cameras to enhance spatial‑audio experiences, while Gurman has heard of small cameras being explored for AI‑driven features. The infrared cameras could potentially enable "in-air gesture control" as well, allowing for device interaction with hand movements. Both projects are said to be high priority inside Apple, but neither is likely to debut before 2026.

AirPods 4 Hints

The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for AirPods Pro 3. Apple has replaced the rear setup button with a hidden capacitive sensor under the status light on the case front, and the LED itself now disappears when inactive. These stealth touches make for Apple's smallest and lightest charging case yet, and it is hard to imagine the company not extending them to the Pro line.

Release Date

While there are widespread expectations for a 2025 launch, there have been some conflicting reports more recently. Analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong suggests Apple may not launch the AirPods Pro 3 until 2026, while fellow analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also hinted at potential delays.

That said, evidence continues to mount for a 2025 release, including recent Apple beta software updates that leaked code hinting at AirPods Pro 3 happening soon. iOS 26 code includes a specific mention of "AirPods Pro 3" by name hidden in audio interface elements.

Fortunately, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who initially reported on the 2025 timeline, said in his Power On newsletter over the weekend that Apple plans to ship new AirPods Pro models... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirPods Pro 3 Coming This Fall – Here's What We Know

 

[jz0309]

2 “analysts” (Pu and Kuo)say 2026, 1 “leaker” (Gurman) says 2025…
Gotta love it.

Mya APP2 are going strong, loving them.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I wish they would add the option (from original AirPods) to tap the side of your head to control them, as squeeze control isn't convenient when wearing gloves and a cap. That's why I prefer Beats Fit Pro, even though their transparency mode is inferior to APP.

 

[RaoulCapano]

Hope the next ones get louder. I've got the Bose QCII Earbuds at my office and they get substantially louder than the APP2s.

 

[michsu]

In other words, like their other products too... not much innovation..

 

[RaoulCapano]

In other words, like their other products too... not much innovation..

They're earbuds, what do you want from them, a prostate exam? I'd settle for better and louder audio and for the damn touch controls to work the first time I touch them. Aside from that, great product.

 

[Student of Life]

Better noise cancelation and better sound are good incentives to upgrade but not a day one upgrade. More of a wait until they are on sale type of thing.

 

[michsu]

They're earbuds, what do you want from them, a prostate exam? I'd settle for better and louder audio and for the damn touch controls to work the first time I touch them. Aside from that, great product.

In other words, the "earbuds" you are talking about don't work like "earbuds".

 

[RaoulCapano]

In other words, the "earbuds" you are talking about don't work like "earbuds".

Sure they do. Equate it to a car, I want the car to have a little more horsepower, have a better sound from exhaust, and the unlock button to work when I push it the first time. That doesn't mean the product is a turd.

 

[Student of Life]

Hope the next ones get louder. I've got the Bose QCII Earbuds at my office and they get substantially louder than the APP2s.

Just incase check the settings, maybe you have headphone safety on which reduces the decibel level.

 

[RaoulCapano]

Just incase check the settings, maybe you have headphone safety on which reduces the decibel level.

I wish I did but I don't.

 

[kerr]

My wallet has been waiting for ages to replace my 1st Gen Pro

 

[Corpuscle]

In other words, like their other products too... not much innovation..

What would Apple have to do to make you happy? Live translation isn't innovative to you? I am more convinced than ever that many participants here love to bash Apple simply for the sake of bashing Apple.

 

[csnwbd2251]

Hope the next ones get louder. I've got the Bose QCII Earbuds at my office and they get substantially louder than the APP2s.

Yes, definitely! I know I'm an old rocker w/hearing loss but still....not worried too much anymore about listening to people

 

[Graphate]

I really like the AirPods Pro, but I can’t do it again. The inability to replace the batteries feels so wasteful. Audio equipment should not become ephemeral.

My second set of AirPods Pro are in excellent condition… they too are coming close to the end of their practical battery life. At best, they’re recycled, but it still feels so wasteful to recycle them? Don’t remanufacture another set… just swap the batteries.

I’ll accept that an iPhone 5 would struggle to keep up with some tasks that an iPhone 17 can do, or that camera improvements are valuable. But, quality audio equipment, unlike nearly any other type of device, does not really become obsolete.

If Apple has sold 550 million AirPods since 2016 — 549 million will be unusable because of the battery — within 5 years of life (only a little hyperbolic).

 

[swiftapplefan]

Based on the Live Translation graphic found in the beta code, it’s either the APP3 won’t get redesigned or the APP2 will also get the live translation

 

[RaoulCapano]

I really like the AirPods Pro, but I can’t do it again. The inability to replace the batteries feels so wasteful. Audio equipment should not become ephemeral.

My second set of AirPods Pro are in excellent condition… they too are coming close to the end of their practical battery life. At best, they’re recycled, but it still feels so wasteful to recycle them? Don’t remanufacture another set… just swap the batteries.

I’ll accept that an iPhone 5 would struggle to keep up with some tasks that an iPhone 17 can do, or that camera improvements are valuable. But, quality audio equipment, unlike nearly any other type of device, does not really become obsolete.

If Apple has sold 550 million AirPods since 2016 — 549 million will be unusable because of the battery — within 5 years of life (only a little hyperbolic).

You can get a battery replacement from Apple.

AirPods Replacement, Repair, and Service - Apple Support

Learn how to get service for your AirPods. We can troubleshoot the issue and help you arrange a repair or get your lost AirPods replaced. Find out the costs and service options near you.

support.apple.com

 

[kasei]

My AirPods Pro 2 did not survive a short dunking in a hot tub. I have been using my first-gen Pros, and the difference is like night and day. If the rumors are true about an update in a few weeks, take my money Apple.

 

[YankeeSR23]

Is this a repost?

No…well kinda. Yesterday’s post was just about a specific health feature rumored to be coming to this year’s version whereas this post is about all the rumored features coming to this year’s model.

 

[austinmm6]

No…well kinda. Yesterday’s post was just about a specific health feature rumored to be coming to this year’s version whereas this post is about all the rumored features coming to this year’s model.

And tomorrow's will be about all the rumored features AND a specific health feature!

 

[YankeeSR23]

I wish they would add the option (from original AirPods) to tap the side of your head to control them, as squeeze control isn't convenient when wearing gloves and a cap. That's why I prefer Beats Fit Pro, even though their transparency mode is inferior to APP.

I WISH they had this again. With that feature I could interact with them while I am walking; if I try to squeeze the stem while walking I’ll pull them out of my ear so I have to stop and then interact with them.

 

[DeftwillP]

They're earbuds, what do you want from them, a prostate exam? I'd settle for better and louder audio and for the damn touch controls to work the first time I touch them. Aside from that, great product.

So that's the new rumored health feature!.....a flared base then

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

airpods pro 3 will be my first pair of airpods, can't wait

 

[bmark]

In Ear Temperature Detection? Apple is really going out on a limb here with a useless feature.

 

[RaoulCapano]

So that's the new rumored health feature!.....a flared base then

Yes, don’t want too many embarrassing hospital visits.