AirPods Pro 3: Everything We Know so Far

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on an updated version of the AirPods Pro, and the new earbuds are expected to see a launch in 2025. There are several exciting new features that are rumored for the AirPods Pro 3, and we've rounded up what we know so far.

Refreshed Design

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the AirPods Pro 3 will get a design overhaul. Exactly what will be changing remains a mystery, but Apple is expected to update both the earbuds and the case to accommodate new features that are planned.

The AirPods 4 were updated with a smaller case last year, so Apple could be planning for a similar change to the AirPods Pro 3.

Better Audio Quality

Apple tends to boost audio quality with each new iteration of the AirPods, and rumors suggest that the AirPods Pro 3 will see audio improvements with better sound quality. We're also expecting further improvements to Active Noise Cancellation, and with Apple's focus on the Vision Pro headset, audio quality will be more important than ever.

The current USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2 are designed to pair with the Vision Pro and offer lossless audio, so further feature additions for the Vision Pro and subsequent headsets are a good bet.

Improved ANC

The next-generation AirPods Pro could include "much better" Active Noise Cancellation capabilities compared to the AirPods Pro 2, according to rumors. No information about how Apple will improve ANC is available at this time.

Updated Chip

The AirPods Pro 2 use the H2 chip, and the next-generation version of the AirPods Pro are expected to get an even faster chip, which Apple could call the H3 if it sticks with that naming scheme.

The current H2 chip powers everything from Active Noise Cancellation to Hey Siri, fast switching, and Adaptive EQ, so the H-series chips are key to AirPods functionality. The H3 chip's processing power could be important for health-related features rumored for the AirPods Pro, and it could bring improved range and connectivity.

Hearing Health Improvements

The AirPods Pro 2 have a Hearing Assistance feature that includes a hearing test and the option to use the AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, and this functionality will also come to the AirPods Pro 3. In the future, Apple might improve upon these features.

Health Features

The third-generation version of the AirPods Pro are expected to include health-related features such as heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing. Heart rate monitoring will allow more people to access heart data for health and fitness purposes without the need for an Apple Watch, while temperature sensing can be more accurate in the ear.

AirPods 4 Features

Apple removed the physical pairing button on the AirPods 4, replacing it with a hidden capacitive button at the front. The light was also moved under the plastic of the casing, so it's more subtle and invisible when the LED is off.

Apple could make the same change to the AirPods Pro 3.

Release Date

Current rumors suggest that Apple will introduce an updated version of the AirPods Pro in 2025. Apple often times AirPods launch dates to iPhone events, so we could perhaps see the new earbuds debut sometime around September 2025.

Article Link: AirPods Pro 3: Everything We Know so Far

 

[Justin Cymbal]

That would be great for Apple to add some new health improvements to the AirPods Pro 3!

It’s amazing that Amazon is able to continue to do deals right after the AirPods launch - I was able to get the AirPods Pro 2 with the USB-C this year, about a month after it came out for only $199.99 from Amazon

 

[Kylo83]

just give us lossless support

 

[GMShadow]

just give us lossless support

You'll really benefit from that with the microscopic drivers involved.

 

[antiprotest]

I hear that noise cancel will be so good it will cancel the noise in your head.

 

[MacBird]

I hear that noise cancel will be so good it will cancel the noise in your head.

You mean it will cancel tinnitus?

 

[MacBird]

just give us lossless support

Is that possible with Bluetooth?

 

[Paul Shields]

You mean it will cancel tinnitus?

I think that could potentially be possible. Tinnitus tends to be a single frequency whine which theoretically could be cancelled out by the AirPods in the same way they remove noise - by inverting the waveform. Though the Pods can't hear the tinnitus whine to cancel it, if there was a dial in an app on your phone you could tune it out yourself.

 

[MacBird]

I think that could potentially be possible. Tinnitus tends to be a single frequency whine which theoretically could be cancelled out by the AirPods in the same way they remove noise - by inverting the waveform. Though the Pods can't hear the tinnitus whine to cancel it, if there was a dial in an app on your phone you could tune it out yourself.

Of course that would be great, but doesn't the brain 'produce' that sound? I'm no medical expert but am wondering if this is theoretically an option. My best guess is probably not.

 

[karranz]

please fix: in AirPods pro 2nd gen,mics caught way too much background noise while talking on teams.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Of course that would be great, but doesn't the brain 'produce' that sound? I'm no medical expert but am wondering if this is theoretically an option. My best guess is probably not.

I think it’s produced directly by the nerve so I don’t think it can be canceled out.

Also no I don’t think lossless is possible with Bluetooth unless they release a new version with higher bandwidth.

 

[CarAnalogy]

You'll really benefit from that with the microscopic drivers involved.

I feel like lossless is one of those religious wars right up there with emacs vs vi.

 

[MrMojo1]

How about adding an update button, finally, at least in the case? Quit reducing the ANC quality like it did with the original APP? Also, make the case bigger, esp. in the eartip area so Better, Foam tips can be used?

 

[Student of Life]

I think it’s produced directly by the nerve so I don’t think it can be canceled out.

Also no I don’t think lossless is possible with Bluetooth unless they release a new version with higher bandwidth.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/24/23930039/qualcomm-snapdragon-sound-s7-pro-announced-earbuds-wifi

Lossless via wifi is coming next year. Now will that come to Apple products is another question. Competition will be good for us consumers.

 

[CarAnalogy]

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/24/23930039/qualcomm-snapdragon-sound-s7-pro-announced-earbuds-wifi

Lossless via wifi is coming next year. Now will that come to Apple products is another question.

Nice. Yes probably, with new hardware in 2025 it seems likely.

 

[tgwaste]

< 20ms latency is my #1 thing. I want to finally be able to track wirelessly.

 

[seek3r]

I feel like lossless is one of those religious wars right up there with emacs vs vi.

All hail vim, down with the emacs heretics!

 

[Fuzzball84]

I hope one feature would be the ability to have the batteries to be serviceable.

I love my airpods pro but if they don't make advancements on serviceability they are just becoming the latest environmental catastrophe.

I wonder how many airpods are already in landfill or floating the oceans? They wouldn't like that no. shown for sure.

 

[swingerofbirch]

The AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 literally stink (to me). For some reason some smell it and some don't. But it's an issue (you can Google it—it's not just me).

I ended up with the Sony WF-1000XM4 (I have to Google the name of them each time because . . . well, it's not memorable). They sound amazing. Noise cancellation is amazing. The foam tips burn my ears a bit. But no smell.

If Apple can produce a pair that don't stink I'd love to give them a go again because the Sony are a little glitchy with switching between devices and volume control.

 

[alexandr]

I will be all over Body Temperature Monitoring!

 

[Schnort]

I'd like stereo + mic at the same time.

I hate having to use a separate mic to play games and hear my friends on discord.

 

[Chuckeee]

I could see a “hearing test” function being difficult to administer due to medical regulations constraints but some sort of “optimized customized equalizer” setup could be very appealing.

 

[Brandobean]

I want:
- less latency so I can do music wirelessly. (Can’t track wirelessly when Bluetooth introduces a half beat of latency)

- ability to REDUCE loud sounds with full fidelity. I’d wear them at rehearsals and at live concerts that way. There’s no competition for this feature! If Apple is so into health, why isn’t this a feature?

 

[Bow Commander]

please fix: in AirPods pro 2nd gen,mics caught way too much background noise while talking on teams.

Have you already adjusted the Teams settings? Makes a huge difference.

 

[cjboffoli97]

I'd love it if they didn't make the case so slick that it regularly slips out of your hand, falls to the floor, with the AirPods and the case exploding in three directions.