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This is a) nonsense, and b) not a story. Apple is always working on the next version of every product, and they aren’t gonna release a new version of AirPods Pro a year (or less!) after the 3s.
releasing a "better" version of the APP3s was rumored before the APP3s dropped
 
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AirPods Max in the article image and not even mentioned in the article itself smh.

EDIT: oh… 2027 for the next version?! lord…
Well, having purchased a USB-C set of APM to replace my OG APM about 6 months ago, I can live without the temptation to fork over another $500+ this soon.

If my OG APM were not getting long in the tooth, gratis my naughty little dog, I would still be waiting to replace them. So, clearly, the USB-C APM are meeting my needs and probably will for several years.

An aside: It seems weird that I need to talk about a single APM headset in the plural (were not was, are not is). But the moniker is AirPod*S* Max. Yes, I understand that is for conformity with the earbud versions, but it is nonetheless bizarre nomenclature. :::: stepping off my grammarian soapbox now ::::🤣
 
Well, having purchased a USB-C set of APM to replace my OG APM about 6 months ago, I can live without the temptation to fork over another $500+ this soon.

If my OG APM were not getting long in the tooth, gratis my naughty little dog, I would still be waiting to replace them. So, clearly, the USB-C APM are meeting my needs and probably will for several years.

An aside: It seems weird that I need to talk about a single APM headset in the plural (were not was, are not is). But the moniker is AirPod*S* Max. Yes, I understand that is for conformity with the earbud versions, but it is nonetheless bizarre nomenclature. :::: stepping off my grammarian soapbox now ::::🤣
yeah the naming always gets me. I wanna say AirPOD Max but I guess AirPODS makes sense because there are two pods (left ear right ear). although yeah the in-ear AirPods are separate “pods” and not one whole piece like the APM.

I definitely am not clamoring either to spend another almost $600 but hopefully will get a couple hundred or so from the USB-C version :)

and ugh I still have to sell my originals…
 
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After trying and returning APP3's, I'm more convinced than ever that Apple needs to do:

AirPods Pro 4 Max
AirPods Pro 4 Min

Two sizes/shapes for the product itself.
Just out of curiosity, why did you return the APP3? I dislike the bigger case. I just bought them for my partner and will be a good upgrade from the APP1.

Edit: the hinge feels also slightly loose compared to my APP2.
 
Make sense selling refurbished products with the APP line. They did this with the Apple Watch Series 6 which was rebranded to 9. The 11 is just a rebranded 10.
 
I think the minute a new product is released, that team starts developing a roadmap for the next version, albeit it years down the road. There's no incentive for Apple to update AirPods Pro... with 3 just out, they easily have 2-3 years of life there before they need to spend money on an update. The only thing Apple updates annually like clockwork are the iPhone and watch, but the market requires they do this. In case anyone was considering holding off on the current gen airpods, don't wait for this news, it's not coming anytime soon.
 
I don't understand Apple's strategy. Was the chip ready for the third-generation AirPods Pro?
 


After releasing AirPods Pro 3 last month, Apple is already working on the next AirPods Pro, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

All-AirPods-2025.png

It is unclear if the new AirPods Pro would be branded as AirPods Pro 4, or if they would be considered an updated version of AirPods Pro 3. Gurman did not take a position, opting to describe them as a "new version" of the "high-end in-ear buds."

AirPods Pro 2 were updated with a USB-C charging case and a few other tweaks a year after they launched, without receiving a name change.

Last month, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the AirPods Pro would receive "more significant" hardware upgrades next year, including at least one tiny infrared camera. A leaker on Chinese platform Weibo subsequently claimed that these would be a higher-end AirPods Pro 3 option, rather than AirPods Pro 4. This would be similar to the standard AirPods 4, which are available in two configurations, with and without active noise cancellation.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is developing its next-generation H3 chip for wireless audio, with improved sound quality and lower latency. It would make sense for this chip to be included in the next AirPods Pro, but Gurman did not explicitly mention which AirPods models the chip will debut in, or when.

Apple is also developing two tiers of AirPods 5, according to Gurman.

AirPods Pro 3 offer heart rate monitoring during workouts, but Gurman does not anticipate this feature extending to the AirPods 5. He said Apple is planning several new health features for future AirPods, though, such as temperature sensing.

Gurman reiterated that Apple is considering adding cameras to at least some AirPods models. Kuo previously said AirPods with infrared cameras would support in-air gestures, and enable deeper integration between AirPods and the Vision Pro.

AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 are equipped with the H2 chip, which debuted in the AirPods Pro 2. The over-ear AirPods Max still have an H1 chip.

Kuo previously said new AirPods Max would enter mass production in 2027.



Article Link: Apple Reportedly Working on New AirPods Pro, AirPods 5, and H3 Chip
I already bought H1 USB-C AirPods Max, please don't update this fast lol
 
Not surprised to hear that Apple is working on the next version of AirPods. However not expecting to see it in 2026. AirPods 4 was launched in 2024. Usually the next version takes around 3 years. So 2027 is most probable for its launch.
 
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Audio does not need to rapidly iterate. The major barriers that remain in wireless audio tech are pretty substantial and very complicated to overcome. One would be true lossless audio, which Bluetooth is never really likely to be capable of. The other would be equipping something like the AirPods Max with high impedance drivers, which would require a substantially bulkier design to accommodate power delivery and battery that Apple is never likely to go for.

AirPods Pro are honestly about as good as it’s likely to get for some time in terms of wireless audio tech. Any iterations we get will be marginal battery improvements or things you would classify as quality of life.
 
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Eh, of course they're working on a new model. The same with iPhones, Macs, etc.

The development teams don't sit around twiddling their thumbs for months after a product is brought to market.

The. idea that the product you own somehow changes or loses usefulness when a newer version is released or even if a newer version is under development, is a fallacy, and a fallacy that can damage your wallet.

If whatever device you owned worked perfectly well the day before a new version is announced, it will work equally well the day after the new version is announced also.

If what you own works well for you, there is no reason why you "need" to upgrade.

Enjoy and use what you have. Stop peeking over the neighbors fence to covet what they have.
 
- another APP3 version is news
- them working on H3 is not news, of course they’re working on next versions of all their chips
- lack of a significant APM update 5 years later is apathetic
 
I just bought the APP3, should I take them back and wait for the APP4? I can't keep up with the developments :rolleyes:
 
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