 |
| (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
Update: For complete coverage of the iPhone 16 debut, follow our live blog throughout the Apple "Glowtime" event.
Even if the AirPods Pro 2 are not the newest models, there are still whispers and murmurs that an upgrade may be coming to them in the not too distant future. It's possible that the most recent iteration of the greatest wireless earbuds may arrive sooner rather than later.
There is indications that the Apple Glowtime event, which takes place today, September 9, may feature the AirPods Pro 3.
AirPods Pro 3: Release Date & Price Details
 |
| (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
The release date of the AirPods Pro 3 is a hotly debated subject. Some, like X leakage Kosutami, think the new AirPods will be released sooner rather than later—possibly even during today's Apple Glowtime event.
Some, including as Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, believe the AirPods Pro 3 will arrive in early 2025, delaying their sale date by a few months. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, concurs and projects the AirPods Pro 3's delivery date to 2025.
Additionally, the brief history of AirPods points to a later release. The second version of AirPods Pro was released three years after the first model in 2019. Conversely, regular AirPods were released in 2016, 2019, and 2021. However, the USB-C update for the AirPods Pro 2 was revealed in conjunction with the announcement of the iPhone 14, thus the release of the AirPods is likely to occur shortly.
Things are a little less clear in terms of price. The AirPods Pro were previously priced at $249, and it's quite probable that this will remain the case. That being said, there may be a price increase for the AirPods Pro 3 given that competitors have begun to hike the costs of similar headphones, such as Sony with its WF-1000XM5. Although we don't anticipate them being very pricey, don't be shocked if there is a $20–$30 price increase.
AirPods Pro 3: Rumored Design & Features
Perhaps another proof that the AirPods Pro 3 aren't right around the horizon is the lack of leaks and rumors about them, but it's also possible that Apple is simply keeping a closer eye on things than normal.
When forecasting a 2025 release, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said back in October 2023 that the next generation of earphones is "expected to get a new design and chip"—possibly the H3, because the previous two versions had an H1 and H2 processor, respectively.
Gurman further hinted that the AirPods Pro 3 might have "health features... tied to hearing," much like the Apple Watch.
"The company is developing a new feature for the AirPods to test users' hearing, which will play various tones and sounds to find out how well a user can hear," he wrote elsewhere. "The goal is to assist users in screening for hearing problems, in a manner similar to how the Apple Watch ECG app detects cardiac issues."
 |
| (Image credit: Future) |
However, the AirPods Pro may be trying to include health measures beyond simply hearing. According to reports, Apple is also working on including sensors like a temperature sensor and biometric monitor in the upcoming earphones. Since ear temperature is more precise than wrist temperature, the latter may be especially helpful. Of course, you don't wear earphones as frequently as you do a timepiece.
There will be enhancements to our current features in addition to these new ones. If the sound quality and battery life weren't enhanced beyond the six hours of the second version, it would be shocking.
However, the leaker Kosutami makes one particular claim: the next Pro model would feature "much better" digital ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). Again, not that surprising considering Apple claimed to have doubled the ANC of its original iteration of earbuds.
 |
| (Image credit: USPTO via Patently Apple) |
Last but not least, a recent patent from Apple illustrates a novel design for truly wireless earbuds with touch-screen media controls. However, at this stage, take this claim very lightly. To be clear, Apple often files for patents; therefore, there's no certainty that this will ever be used in any product, much less the AirPods Pro 3. Still, it's something to keep in mind.
AirPods Pro 3: Wishlist & Expectations
 |
| (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
Although the AirPods Pro 2 remain among the best headphones available, there are a few features that we'd want to see added to the buds that aren't currently rumored. First off, there is a purpose to our earbud madness. Bluetooth isn't incapable of wireless high-definition lossless streaming, which would be a huge benefit.
With the release of the Vision Pro headset this year, audiophiles who possess both 1. a pair of AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C and 2. a Vision Pro were treated to an unexpected bonus. Somehow, connecting the two of them would allow you to enjoy high-resolution, lossless wireless listening, allowing you to experience Apple Music at its finest. What makes this so crucial? We're hopeful that the iPhone 16, which is expected to be soon, will have internals that allow the AirPods Pro 3 to have the same functionality.
Beyond that, it appears like the AirPods Pro 3 may include a lot of the capabilities that we truly desire. All we can do now is wait and watch what happens over the course of the upcoming several months.
AirPods Pro 3: What to Expect
When you take into account the possible inclusion of health features, the AirPods Pro 3 sound fairly intriguing. Even said, an updated version of the AirPods Pro 3 that features greater ANC and sound quality would still be a fantastic addition to my preferred AirPods and well worth the upgrade.
Of course, the crucial question is still when we will see them. When Tim Cook appears on stage at Apple Park for the iPhone 16 launch, will it be later today or later still? We're not really sure until Apple makes them public. We'll keep reading as much news as we can till then to gain a better idea of when to anticipate them.