Apple is preparing to launch the AirPods Pro 3 later this year, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. His latest update points to a release in the second half of 2025, which means the new earbuds are likely to debut at the iPhone 17 event on September 9. That would line up with Apple’s usual fall hardware cycle, where major accessories often join the flagship iPhone launch.
The timing makes sense given that it has been three years since the AirPods Pro 2 arrived in 2022. Apple refreshed those earbuds with a USB-C charging case in 2023, but the core design has remained unchanged. AirPods Pro 3 would therefore represent the first significant update in years, and rumors suggest they will borrow some of Apple’s latest wearable health features.
One of the headline additions is expected to be heart rate monitoring. It was recently reported that Apple will integrate the same technology found in the Powerbeats Pro 2. When both earbuds are in use, optical sensors pulse hundreds of times per second to measure blood flow, feeding data into Apple’s Health app and syncing with fitness platforms. Much like the Apple Watch, the system is designed to work seamlessly in workouts, though if an Apple Watch is already providing heart rate data, the earbuds will defer to it. Beyond health tracking, the AirPods Pro 3 are also rumored to ship with a redesigned and smaller charging case, better pairing features, and audio refinements that could improve sound quality and noise cancellation.
Looking further ahead, Kuo says Apple is already working on a more advanced successor. AirPods Pro 4, expected in 2026, could include tiny infrared cameras to enhance spatial audio, particularly when used with the Vision Pro headset. These sensors may also allow head movement to influence audio direction, creating a more immersive experience. Apple is said to be exploring gesture controls as well, potentially allowing users to interact with devices through simple hand movements without reaching for their iPhone.
