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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?

AirPods-Pro-3-Mock-Feature.jpg

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 developing in‑ear heart‑rate tracking for 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.

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

airpods-4-blue.jpg

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.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who initially reported on the 2025 timeline, has said nothing to suggest that his original report is outdated or that delays have occurred. Earlier this year, he said the updated earbuds are "months away."

Historically, Apple has launched significant A... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirPods Pro 3 Could Be Just Weeks Away – Here's What We Know
 
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A number of analysts are saying no new AirPods in 2025. If they are right and the AirPods Pro 3 are next year, then I’m guessing they’ll launch September 2026 and revised AirPods Max some time after that.

As an aside the latest Sony in ear headphones, the WF‑1000XM6, are due any day now based on regulatory filings.
 
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Apple prides itself on accessiblity support so hopefully they add LE-Audio for better battery life and Auracast support.
 
Given AirPods Pro 2 are £189 right now, would these likely get any more discount when AirPods Pro 3 come out?

Honestly not too fussed about the new features as I've been on first gen AirPods Pro since launch!
 
Given AirPods Pro 2 are £189 right now, would these likely get any more discount when AirPods Pro 3 come out?

Honestly not too fussed about the new features as I've been on first gen AirPods Pro since launch!
You’d imagine so, although I don’t see them going to £100 for example
 
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I'm down for much better ANC. I swear some reviewers have to be deaf. The gym is still very loud unless I play my music past the 90db safety limit. My vacuum, lawn mower, and snow thrower, get even more irritatingly high pitched, because it blocks out the low and medium pitches best. It's ok at taking out low engine drone from a plane, but that makes the creaky bits seem louder.

There's still worlds to go ahead in in ear ANC. And yes I've tried every tip, both literal and ideas wise, triple flange tips, foam, everything short of expensive custom moulds, I think I'm just at the limits of what I can get out of the Pro 2's.

Maybe because with age, your high pitches go first, where it's weakest, some older reviewers just don't hear this stuff? I'm not that young anymore, but I guess I still hear things before most of my friends.
 
A number of analysts are saying no new AirPods in 2025. If they are right and the AirPods Pro 3 are next year, then I’m guessing they’ll launch September 2026 and revised AirPods Max some time after that.

As an aside the latest Sony in ear headphones, the WF‑1000XM6, are due any day now based on regulatory filings.
A number of analysts said aapl was overvalued at $300B.
 
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You’d imagine so, although I don’t see them going to £100 for example
Completely agree as they only went down to £179 on Amazon prime day last month, so clearing old stock probably won’t be a lot lower than that. I would suggest Apple’s refurbished section of their website once the new model comes out but as the typical discount is about 15%, they’d actually cost more than you can pick them up at the likes of John Lewis today.
 
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I'm just really thankful that they keep releasing new features and software updates to extend what we thought was possible. I'm still 95% happy with them. The only thing that kind of irks me is that the noise cancellation seems to have gotten lower over time and they don't stay in as well as they used to. Maybe it's just me who thinks that it's not cancelling as much outside noise as I remember when I first got them. I just received my new V10 ear tips from CharJen Pro so we'll see if these help with the seal.
 
Was really hoping for lossless.
While lossless would be nice, Bluetooth doesn’t have the bandwidth to handle it and Apple don’t seem interested in implementing LDAC or aptX which do. I guess Apple figure that the majority of users wouldn’t be interested or couldn’t hear the difference - just look at the poor implementation of lossless on the AirPods Max as a guide to Apple’s priorities.
 
While lossless would be nice, Bluetooth doesn’t have the bandwidth to handle it and Apple don’t seem interested in implementing LDAC or aptX which do. I guess Apple figure that the majority of users wouldn’t be interested or couldn’t hear the difference - just look at the poor implementation of lossless on the AirPods Max as a guide to Apple’s priorities.
Agree, “most” people probably wouldn’t tell a difference.

The USBC wired connection with the newer version of the Max allowing lossless was a nice (and necessary) addition. It actually gave me a second thought to drop that much money on headphones (but ultimately the price kept me away, because I can appreciate the $20 EarPods in a quiet room)

Maybe Apple just doesnt want to deal with the reviews and feedback from people saying that their Lossless was bad while they stood 20 feet away from the source. (Vision Pro allows it, but you have to be close the whole time cause the everything is on your head, close)
 
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I think it's possible that Apple may go to a new design for AirPods Pro 3, something more akin to the Beats Fit Pro. It will likely have new Bluetooth and UWB wireless connectivity chips, and possibly a new driver design for better sound quality.
 
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