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 sometime around 2025. There are several exciting new features that are rumored for the AirPods Pro 3, which we've rounded up here.

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.

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. We could also get 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.

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.

Hearing Health Improvements

There are a number of hearing health features that Apple is working on for the AirPods lineup. In the future, a built-in hearing test could play tones and sounds to test how well a person can hear, giving users easy access to hearing health feedback. Apple is already testing this kind of functionality in the hearing study conducted through the Research app.

If the AirPods find a hearing issue, Apple could instruct the user to visit a doctor for further help.

Gurman says that Apple is also working on features that would let the AirPods further boost hearing, perhaps in an effort to make them available in lieu of a hearing aid. The AirPods Pro already support features like Conversation Boost to cut out background noise while focusing on speech, and relaxed hearing aid purchase guidelines that no longer require a prescription will make it easier for Apple to position the AirPods as a hearing aid alternative.

Body Temperature Monitoring

Apple has been testing a temperature sensor embedded in the AirPods, and this is likely a feature that would come first to the AirPods Pro if it ends up being implemented.

Temperature measurements from inside the ear are more accurate than temperature measurements from the wrist.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been saying for years that Apple will add more health features to the AirPods, and Apple has patented AirPods with biometric sensors for monitoring heart rate, temperature, perspiration level, and more.

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 if the company remains on track for a 2025 launch, 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.