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Apple AirPods Pro 3 rumors: Get ready for September 2025
Published onApril 2, 2025
Apple AirPods Pro 3: At a glance
- When is it coming out?: Apple tipster Kosutami recently posted on X that the AirPods Pro 3 could launch alongside the AirTag 2 as early as May or June this year. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman cast doubt on this, having recently noted that new AirPods with heart rate monitoring are "still many months away". This seems likely, given there were nearly 35 months between the release of the original AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2. This also aligns with expectations that the AirPods Pro 3 will launch alongside the new iPhone 17 in September.
- What's new?: Recent patents approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office indicate potentially significant changes to the AirPods Pro 3. These include new touch-capacitive controls, better noise canceling, improved ear tip fit test features, and a touchscreen charging case. Trusted industry analyst Mark Gurman also notes the AirPods Pro 3 should receive an updated design and chip. In particular, the earbuds could receive a biometric monitor, temperature sensor, and upgraded H3 chipset. The last would provide next-gen hearing and health tracking features like real-time heart-rate monitoring with the new Powerbeats Pro 2.
- How much will it cost? Considering that the AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 came to market for $249, I am hopeful the company's next-gen earbuds will retain this price. This is likely, given how fierce the competition is from rivals like Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. However, there is a chance the buds will cost more than this at launch.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the defacto earbuds for iPhone owners. These earbuds have one of the industry’s best active noise canceling and many advanced software features. Apple fans and industry experts are understandably giddy about the Apple AirPods Pro 3. We’ve gathered information from far and wide so you can stay current on the next AirPods Pro.
Will there be an Apple AirPods Pro 3?
It is almost certain the AirPods Pro (3rd generation) will come to market. Apple’s Wearables and Home Accessories category, which includes all AirPods, outsold its Mac and iPad categories’ sales in Q1 of 2025. There is little chance the company will halt production of its most iconic earbuds.
What is the most likely Apple AirPods Pro (3rd generation) release date?
- Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation): October 30, 2019
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation): September 23, 2022
- Apple AirPods (1st generation): December 13, 2016
- Apple AirPods (2nd generation): March 20, 2019
- Apple AirPods (3rd generation): October 26, 2021
- Apple AirPods (4th generation): September 20, 2024
Apple tipster Kosutami recently posted on X that the AirPods Pro 3 could launch alongside the AirTag 2 as early as May or June this year. However, it is worth noting that Kosutami made a similar claim about the new AirPods Pro coming “soon” in August 2024 that never materialized. Instead, we will likely see the Apple AirPods Pro (3rd generation) launch alongside the iPhone 17 in September of this year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman substantiates this, noting in his coverage of the Powerbeats Pro 2 on February 11, 2025, that new AirPods with heart rate monitoring are “still many months away”. Subsequently, a fall release looks likely, given there were nearly 35 months between the release of the original AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2. We must keep our fingers crossed for more concrete details at Apple’s WWDC event in June 2025.
What features and specs could the Apple AirPods Pro (3rd generation) have?
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has recently granted several new Apple patents that could indicate significant upgrades for the AirPods Pro (3rd generation). Below is everything we have deduced from publications, rumors, and industry trends.
Design
Like the JBL Tour Pro 3, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 may ship with a touchscreen charging case. While details remain sparse, patent US-12001753-B2 reveals that the AirPods Pro 3 may be controlled directly from the new charging case. In particular, users may conduct play/pause, song skipping, ANC toggles, and more without digging out their phones. Similarly, “squeezing” the case could change the audio mode on Apple TV+ content. Other features could include information relay via haptics and/or a touch-sensitive display that understands finger or Apple Pencil gestures. The filing also suggests the case may support Siri commands and should enjoy a smaller footprint than its successor. This is likely, given the AirPods 4 case swapped the physical Bluetooth pairing and reset buttons for a hidden touch-capacitive button.
Regarding the earbuds, patent number US-12216851-B2 details a new textured exterior surface for controlling earbud functions. The filing states that the control surface is multi-directional and processes the speed and direction of touch commands. Most intriguingly, the textured control surface may work even while wearing gloves. This marks a significant upgrade on the AirPods Pro 2 which uses a traditional touch-capacitive stem. Trusted industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also states that Apple may be planning to add infrared cameras to future AirPods. While these are unlikely to launch with the AirPods Pro 3, we could see enhanced spatial audio, hand gestures, or compatibility with Apple’s rumored smart glasses. Mark Gurman’s January Power On newsletter added more weight to this, claiming Apple is “exploring other types of wearable products” including camera-equipped AirPods.
The next-gen AirPods Pro case will likely use USB-C charging.
Generally, the AirPods Pro 3 will likely host a sealed fit with interchangeable ear tips and a stemmed design. Moreover, Apple should include force sensors for playback and calls and ship the buds in white. The AirPods Pro 3 will likely house a water-resistant build with at least an IPX4 rating. However, Apple updated the AirPods Pro 2 buds and case in September 2023 to adorn an IP54 water- and dust-resistant rating, so we should see this certification for the AirPods Pro 3. Similarly, we should see USB-C charging, given Apple upgraded the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) charging case to include a USB-C port on September 22, 2023. The case should work with Qi and MagSafe charging accessories.
Aside from rocking a new charging port, the AirPods Pro 3 case should house a lanyard loop and an integrated speaker like the AirPods Pro 2. We could see an updated U2 chip inside the case rather than the current U1 chip. Likewise, we could see a new H3 chip in the AirPods Pro 3 earphones, given Apple debuted the H2 chip with the AirPods Pro 2. The benefits of these chipsets revolve around supported software features.
Software features
Patent US-12219315-B2 reveals the AirPods Pro 3 should enjoy a better ear tip fit test feature and improved isolation. Mark Gurman’s February Power On newsletter also notes that Apple’s flagship earbuds should share a heart rate monitoring feature similar to the Powerbeats Pro 2. This allows users to connect the earbuds to gym equipment to measure their heart rate and manage their data in the Health or other supported iPhone apps. Gurman notes that Apple may implement other temperature and biometric sensors in the AirPods Pro 3. Like the AirPods Pro 2, this could allow Apple’s new earbuds to receive FDA authorization, allowing them to be used as a hearing aid for minor-to-moderate hearing loss.
As mentioned, the AirPods Pro 3 could debut the H3 and U2 chips for the earbuds and case, respectively. Replacing the U1 chip with a U2 chip could expand your options for locating the AirPods Pro 3 case in the Find My app. If Apple ships the AirPods Pro 3 with an H3 chip, we’ll see improved noise canceling and Adaptive Transparency. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are also expected to come packed with Apple-exclusive features like automatic switching between iOS devices and battery optimization. Like previous generations, you will need an iPhone or iPad to update the firmware on the next AirPods Pro.
Sound quality and noise canceling
The AirPods Pro 3 will likely have a slightly modified frequency response compared to the AirPods Pro 2. As seen in our AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 1 comparison chart above, Apple made some notable tweaks to how the second-gen AirPods Pro deliver sub-bass content. Regardless of how Apple adjusts the sound quality of the AirPods Pro 3, the earbuds will likely sound good to most consumers.
The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to boast better noise canceling than the AirPods Pro 2. Apple improved the AirPods Pro 2 noise canceling from the AirPods Pro 1, and the company knows it can’t rest on its laurels.
Our AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro ANC comparison chart above shows how Apple improved the ANC between generations. As you can see, the AirPods Pro 2 attenuate low frequencies by 2-12dB more than the AirPods Pro 1. The jump in ANC performance between the AirPods Pro 2 and 3 could look similar to the leap from the AirPods Pro 1 to 2.
How much might the Apple AirPods Pro 3 cost?
- Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation): $249
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation): $249
The AirPods Pro 3 will likely retain the same $249 price point as previous generations. If Apple holds the price steady, this could sway a lot of iPhone owners away from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299 at Amazon), which debuted for $299.
No matter how Apple prices the AirPods Pro 3, we can expect them to go on sale during various holiday seasons. The AirPods Pro 2 currently cost ($239 at Amazon) and often go on sale for $199 or $229.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: What we want to see
Here’s our wishlist for AirPods Pro 3 features.
Better microphone quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have good microphone quality, but it could be better in sub-optimal conditions. It would be exciting to see Apple improve the noise suppression on the AirPods Pro 3 microphone system. Frankly, microphone improvements are inevitable, given the significant leap in quality from the Beats Studio Buds to the Studio Buds Plus. (Note: Apple owns Beats.)
You can hear how the AirPods Pro 2 suppress the speaker’s voice in noisy simulated environments below.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Street conditions):
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Longer battery life
Apple’s official battery life for the AirPods Pro 2 is six hours with ANC on. In our standardized testing, the AirPods Pro 2 lasted five hours and 43 minutes with ANC enabled. This is average for wireless noise canceling earbuds. However, if Apple is to compete with Bose and Sony in the battery department, it must bump the AirPods Pro 3 battery life to at least seven hours.
Improved durability
The updated AirPods Pro 2 have an IP54 water- and dust-resistant build, which bodes well for most types of exercise. However, we want a more robust IP rating on the AirPods Pro 3. This improved durability specification would set the AirPods Pro 3 apart from other flagships. Consequently, the buds would be an even better pick for working out and for those who live in desert regions.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 FAQs
While there has been no official announcement from Apple yet, I fully expect the AirPods Pro 3 to launch alongside the iPhone 17 in September this year.
Yes, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are widely expected to launch this year. In particular, trusted industry analysts Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have anticipated the release of the AirPods Pro 3 for several years. The AirPods Pro 2 came to market roughly 35 months after the first iteration of AirPods Pro launched on September 23, 2022. Subsequently, it would make sense for the AirPods Pro 3 to materialize in the fall of 2025.
They are different. For example, the AirPods 3 are open-fit buds that leave the ear canal unoccluded. Conversely, the AirPods Pro use ear tips and active noise canceling to quell unwanted environmental noise.
Apple's AirPods Pro brand are the company's top-tier noise canceling earbuds. The AirPods Pro 2 are the company's latest installment. These offer excellent noise canceling, pleasing sound quality, and a comfortable fit. However, the company's anticipated AirPods Pro 3 should deliver many improved features. These should include stronger ANC, longer battery life, and an updated H3 chip.