Many people think that buying AirPods is the only option when buying an iPhone or iPad, although there are plenty of third-party earbuds available – some of which are arguably better. AirPods are available directly from the Apple Store, and there’s also an awareness that they’re tightly integrated with the company’s platforms, even better than Beats products like the Beats Fit Pro. You can go from sharing music on your iPhone to watching movies on an Apple TV in a matter of moments.

Many people opt for the AirPods Pro, especially when they’re looking for earbuds for workouts. Apple may release a third generation Pro soon. What upgrades can we expect this time?

AirPods Pro 3 release date and price

• 2025 Rumor has it, probably in autumn
• Price may remain unchanged

The most likely launch window is fall 2025. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has pointed to a 2025 refresh, and Apple has traditionally reserved new AirPods for the fall, presumably to coordinate with new iPhones and the holiday shopping season. Apple could decide to break that pattern, but likely only if it has a crowded release schedule.

As for price, there’s no sign of a change from the second-generation product’s $249 price tag. New features could theoretically drive the price up, but would also run the risk of people turning to competing products, some of which have similar features and/or better sound.

Design and features

• New look
• Features for hearing health
• Possible temperature sensors
• Possible touchscreen housing

Gurman further claims that Apple plans to refresh the AirPods Pro 3 with a new design. There’s no word on what that might look like, but Apple hasn’t changed the Pro’s aesthetic much since the first-generation model shipped in 2019. The company might be hesitant to stray too far, as it’s worked hard to make AirPods instantly – and iconic – recognizable.

Some design improvements could be practical. For example, the company is reportedly interested in hearing aid features, which would be a huge hit if they actually existed. Special hearing aids can be extremely expensive while also carrying a stigma because they are associated with old age. New Pros could diagnose hearing problems by playing a series of tones, similar to the tests that audiologists perform.

For general health, Apple may be planning temperature sensors. While such sensors already exist in newer Apple Watches, ear data would be more accurate and would extend temperature measurements to people who can’t afford a smartwatch.

Even more unlikely is the addition of a touchscreen to the charging case. An interactive case screen would allow users to control music and podcasts without using their AirPods’ built-in controls or accessing their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch directly. So far, however, Apple has only filed one patent on the idea, and many of the patents it files never make it into shipping hardware.

Internal specifications

• Improved audio
• New H3 chip

Apple usually likes to improve audio with each new generation of earbuds, but we’re not sure what they’re planning this time around. The second-generation Pro already has features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio, so it might be more interested in things like bass response and call quality. It will also likely improve features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness to make interaction with the outside world more seamless.

A new chip being developed by Apple will support audio processing and health technology, Gurman says. This will likely be called the H3, since the second-generation Pro uses the H2. The chip could be a big deal, not only because it offers health features, but also because it arrives in the era of Apple intelligence. It remains to be seen whether Apple will be able to pack more AI features into something as small as an earbud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which devices are supported by AirPods Pro 3?

I’m not sure yet, but it’s safe to assume compatibility will be similar to the Pro 2, which works with most iPhones, iPods, Macs, and Apple Watches, some of which are over ten years old. It should also work with black box Apple TVs and the Vision Pro.

Some features may be reserved for newer devices, especially if they rely on AI.