TL; DR
- While the original AirPods Pro were released in 2019, the AirPods Pro 2 made their debut three years later, in 2022. If we follow the timeline, the third-generation AirPods Pro should come out in 2025.
- Multiple sources suggest that Apple might reduce the overall footprint of the AirPods Pro 3 charging case (similar to what it did with the AirPods 4 charging case).
- The H3 chip may be Apple’s next-generation audio processor, which will power the upcoming AirPods (both the Pro and non-Pro models) and other flagship earbuds by Beats, potentially hitting the market in the next couple of years.
- In addition to the heart rate sensor, the AirPods Pro 3 are also said to come with body temperature sensors, which should measure the users’ body temperature via the ear canal (could provide better readings compared to wrist-based devices).
We’re just months away from Apple’s annual iPhone reveal, which usually takes place in September. This year, the Cupertino giant is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 and, along with it, the next-generation AirPods Pro 3, possibly featuring a new H3 chip, enhanced noise cancelation, improved Adaptive Audio features, and a revamped design.
Ahead of the AirPods Pro 3’s arrival, here’s a detailed roundup of all the rumors and reports surrounding Apple’s upcoming earbuds. We haven’t included the rumor about the device featuring an LED screen, as we think that’s highly implausible. With that out of the way, let’s get right to it.
AirPods Pro 3 Release Timeline
While the original AirPods Pro were released in 2019, the AirPods Pro 2 made their debut three years later, in 2022. If we follow the timeline, the third-generation AirPods Pro should come out in 2025.
Although some sources have suggested otherwise, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has neither retracted nor reiterated his claim that the AirPods Pro 3 will launch in 2025. If that’s true, Apple should surely unveil its Pro earbuds at the iPhone 17 launch event in September 2025.
Most recently, MacRumors discovered a reference to the name “AirPods Pro 3” in the source code for iOS 26 (developer beta), which likely hints at the device’s existence. Given that iOS 26 is scheduled for a public release later this year, it makes the release of the AirPods Pro 3 even more likely.
AirPods Pro 3 Price
In 2022, Apple launched the AirPods Pro 2 at $249 in the United States or Rs. 24,900 in India. However, over the years, we’ve seen the earbuds on sale for a discounted price of as low as $180 or Rs. 18,000 in India (including discounts and bank offers).
The AirPods Pro 3, for all intents and purposes, should also be priced at $249 and Rs. 24,900 in the United States and India, respectively.
While initial reports suggested an increase in AirPods Pro 3 price primarily due to Trump’s tariffs, importing the device from India or Vietnam could help Apple keep the prices under control (as there’s only a 10% import tariff for both countries).
Also Read: Trump Demands U.S. Manufacturing Over Indian Expansion: Is India’s iPhone Boom Under Threat?
AirPods Pro 3 Design Changes
Multiple sources suggest that Apple might reduce the overall footprint of the AirPods Pro 3 charging case (similar to what it did with the AirPods 4 charging case). A smaller charging case could make it easier to carry the AirPods Pro 3 in tight pockets or carry pouches.
While the company could make the AirPods Pro 3 charging case smaller, it could also replace the multipurpose Bluetooth pairing or reset button with a hidden touch-capacitive button (again, similar to the AirPods 4). Even so, the case will retain the USB-C port and MagSafe wireless charging magnets and coils (along with support for Qi wireless charging).
Besides changes in the charging case, Apple could also make a few tweaks to the design of the earbuds. Although the AirPods Pro 3 will retain the stemmed, in-ear design, a patent suggests that the AirPods could include a new multi-directional control surface on each earbud stem, enabling touch commands that could work with gloves.
Other things like the placement of the USB-C port, the Find My speaker, and the lanyard loop should remain the same on the purported AirPods.
AirPods Pro 3 Chipset
Currently, there are three audio products that utilize Apple’s H2 chips: the AirPods Pro 2 (2022), AirPods 4 (2024), and Powerbeats Pro 2 (2025). If the company sticks with the current nomenclature, the upcoming chip should be called the H3, and rumors point to its release with the AirPods Pro 3.
The H3 chip may be Apple’s next-generation audio processor, which will power the upcoming AirPods (both the Pro and non-Pro models) and other flagship earbuds by Beats, potentially hitting the market in the next couple of years.
We expect Apple’s H3 chip to deliver enhanced audio processing, which might result in improved bass, clearer mids, and crisper highs. The chipset could also unlock support for lossless audio, a feature that AirPods Pro users have long desired. Although the AirPods Pro 2 can handle lossless audio with the Vision Pro headset, the AirPods Pro 3 might use a proprietary method to provide lossless audio when connected to other Apple devices.
Also Read: iOS 26 is Official: Check Out 30 New Features
Another department where the H3 chip could benefit the AirPods Pro 3 is noise cancelation. The AirPods Pro 2, with the H2 chip, are capable of scanning the environment 48,000 times per second and power features like Adaptive Audio, which automatically enables noise cancelation or transparency. With the H3 chip, the AirPods Pro 3 should be more effective at canceling out a wide range of frequencies, including challenging human voices and high-pitched sounds that make it through the ANC algorithm in place.
The H3 chip is also rumored to quicken the device-switching feature Apple has in place. Along with the new processor, the AirPods Pro 3 could also get the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (the U2 chip) for increased range for Precision Finding and enhanced “Find My” functionality.
Apple’s h3 chip is expected to be more energy efficient than the H2 chip, improving the AirPods Pro 3’s battery life. While the AirPods Pro 2 lasts six hours with ANC, the upcoming device should either match or improve upon the number.
AirPods Pro 3 New Health-Tracking Abilities
The H3 chip’s advanced processing capabilities, combined with new sensors, could also unlock new health-tracking features in the AirPods Pro 3.
Earlier this year, Apple introduced its first in-ear earphones with the ability to track the user’s heart rate: the Powerbeats Pro 2 (review). While the device received mixed reviews, Apple is rumored to bring the technology to the AirPods with the AirPods Pro 3.
The earbuds could feature optical heart rate sensors, which would collect the data and send it over to the H3 processor for on-device analysis, tracking of healthy or unhealthy trends, and seamless transfer of information to other Apple devices.
In addition to the heart rate sensor, the AirPods Pro 3 are also said to come with body temperature sensors, which should measure the users’ body temperature via the ear canal (could provide better readings compared to wrist-based devices).
AirPods Pro 3 New Features
At the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025, Apple gave us the first look at iOS 26 and, along with it, announced a slew of new features coming to the H2-powered AirPods (including the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with ANC).
The owners of the supported AirPods will be able to record studio-quality audio (with high-quality vocals) on the go, using the earbuds as microphones. With iOS 26, users will also get better call quality during audio and FaceTime calls. Apps like Voice Memos, Messages, and other third-party solutions will also benefit from the aforementioned features.
Next up, Apple will allow people with compatible AirPods to use them as a camera remote, allowing them to start or stop video recordings at times when the iPhone isn’t within reach. The AirPods will also gain the ability to recognize when a user has fallen asleep and stop the ongoing media playback (for a podcast, song, audiobook, etc.).
Another major update is the option to update the AirPods’ firmware manually. Similar to the iOS update menu, users should be able to check whether a new firmware is available for their AirPods and install it on demand (in iOS 26).
Other features coming to the AirPods later this year include Automatic Switching with CarPlay, and keeping AirPods as the output destination even after the iPhone connects to other devices, such as cars or Bluetooth speakers.
The AirPods Pro 3, expected to debut alongside the iPhone 17 later this year, should come with all these features announced as part of the iOS 26 update. Besides these, I am also expecting the Live Translation feature (announced for Messages, Phone, and FaceTime) to be available on the AirPods Pro 3.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
