AirPods Pro 3: Here’s everything we know

Apple launched new AirPods models earlier this fall, but an AirPods Pro hardware update wasn’t one of them. When will the next-generation AirPods Pro 3 arrive? Here’s everything we know about the AirPods Pro 3 release date and expected features.

AirPods Pro 3 coming in 2025

Apple recently launched new AirPods 4 and AirPods Max models. But unfortunately, AirPods Pro 3 aren’t yet ready for release this year.

The latest reporting pins 2025 as the release window for AirPods Pro 3.

Apple likes to release new AirPods in the fall, and that was the case for the first two generations of AirPods Pro. Each version released in October and September, respectively, with the first-gen in 2019 and second-gen in 2022.

Although AirPods Pro 3 could certainly debut sooner, the most likely release date based on Apple’s pattern is fall 2025.

That means anyone looking to upgrade still has a long time to wait.

New features of AirPods Pro 3

Apple takes several years between new models of AirPods Pro. But it hasn’t let up adding new features during that time.

In fact, the AirPods Pro 2 have consistently scored great new capabilities for every year on the market.

But when the AirPods Pro 3 arrive, they will include all the modern advancements of AirPods Pro 2 and even more.

Here’s what Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says is coming:

The AirPods Pro, meanwhile, are expected to get a new design and chip in 2025, and the company is working on health features for that device tied to hearing.

New design will be a first for AirPods Pro

Let’s start with the new design.

Until now, AirPods Pro have retained their original design from 2019. So when the third-gen model debuts in 2025, it will have been six years of that same design.

Personally, I love the AirPods Pro’s current design and I’m not sure how Apple could improve it. But Apple has continued to refine the base-model AirPods’ design, including with this year’s AirPods 4.

Expect to see similar iterative changes to AirPods Pro 3. Nothing radical is expected for the new design. Instead, Apple will likely use its several years of customer feedback to make AirPods Pro 3 work better for more users and with improved audio.

Supercharged by H3 chip

AirPods Pro 3 are also going to receive a new chip.

With some products, new chips don’t necessarily bring a ton of improvement. However, Apple’s H-series chips have been an exception thus far.

The move from H1 to H2 enabled Apple to offer significant upgrades to the AirPods Pro 2 over its predecessor.

Here’s how Apple explained the chip’s benefits when AirPods Pro 2 launched:

the power of the new H2 chip provides an exceptional acoustic experience and cancels up to twice as much noise over the previous generation AirPods Pro. With a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, AirPods Pro now offer richer bass and crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies…The powerful H2 chip enables on-device processing, which reduces loud environmental noise [with Adaptive Transparency] — like a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, or even loud speakers at a concert.

Since then, the H2 chip has also powered the variety of new features AirPods Pro 2 and now AirPods 4 have gained. Not even the premium AirPods Max have been able to offer those features, since it only has an H1.

Because of Apple’s track record with improvements to its H-series chips, AirPods Pro 3 getting a new H3 chip is a big deal.

Health features

Beyond the new design and chip, Apple has reportedly been working on new health-related features for AirPods, some of which could debut in the AirPods Pro 3 thanks to its new chip.

The recent Hearing Test, Hearing Protection, and Hearing Aid features from AirPods Pro 2 will undoubtedly come to version 3 too. But there could be more on the way.

Mark Gurman has reported the following:

There’s also engineering work being done on adding sensors to the AirPods so they can determine body temperature via a wearer’s ear canal. That type of data is considered more accurate than wrist temperature

Just as the Apple Watch has become a more valuable health asset over time, AirPods could follow suit.

Taking a temperature reading is an intriguing application for AirPods. Apple’s current employment of the Apple Watch’s temperature readings is fairly limited—likely due to a lack of precision.

If AirPods Pro 3 can introduce more accurate temperature readings, a host of new feature possibilities could open up.

Cameras and Apple Intelligence powers

Another interesting new direction for AirPods Pro 3 could pair the device with Apple Intelligence.

Here’s Gurman again:

Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro that uses external cameras and artificial intelligence to understand the outside world and provide information to the user.

There’s not a lot of detail here, and it’s unclear whether cameras are planned for AirPods Pro 3, or a future hardware update.

If the next AirPods Pro do gain cameras, they could potentially communicate with your iPhone for performing various AI tasks. For example, iOS 18.2’s forthcoming visual intelligence feature for the iPhone 16 could receive an audio version using AirPods Pro 3’s cameras.

Audio quality improvements

When AirPods Pro 2 debuted, some of their biggest selling points related to audio quality.

Even though the original AirPods Pro had a strong reputation for delivering quality sound, AirPods Pro 2 upped the game.

Expect to see similar upgrades with AirPods Pro 3. The additional processing power of the H3 chip should enable an even more dialed in audio mix. Perhaps there will be other hardware changes that help with this too.

On a related note, features like Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Transparency will likely improve too. All of which contributes to a better listening experience.

AirPods Pro 3: Worth the wait?

It’s rare for Apple products to only receive new models every three years. Yet that’s the pattern AirPods Pro have followed.

The AirPods Pro 2 were a huge upgrade over the original model, and have only gotten better with time.

Expect to see similar noteworthy improvements when the AirPods Pro 3 are ready to debut—likely in fall 2025.

What features would you like to see in AirPods Pro 3? Let us know in the comments.

Best AirPods Pro accessories and deals

• AirPods Pro 2 are available for just $189 (down from $249)
• Memory foam AirPods Pro eartips for a more comfortable fit
• AirFly SE for connecting AirPods to in-flight headphone jacks
• Belemay leather case for AirPods Pro
• Magnetic strap neckband for preventing lost AirPods