AirPods Pro 3: Apple’s Next-Generation Earbuds Coming This September
Apple’s Next Audio Revolution
Apple’s highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 are expected to arrive in September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, marking a significant evolution in the company’s audio technology portfolio.
New Features and Improvements
At the heart of the AirPods Pro 3 is Apple’s brand new H3 chip, succeeding the H2 chip found in AirPods Pro 2. This new processor will enable improved audio capabilities at launch and pave the way for future firmware updates.
One of the most notable additions is heart rate monitoring, a feature recently introduced on the Powerbeats Pro 2. When both earbuds are in place, LED optical sensors will pulse over 100 times per second to measure heart rate via blood flow. The feature will integrate with popular fitness apps and sync data to the iPhone’s Health app.
Design and Hardware Updates
The AirPods Pro 3 will feature an updated design, though specific changes remain under wraps. Both the earbuds and case will be modified to accommodate new features. The case will be slimmed down, and the earbuds themselves might feature a smaller stem or potentially eliminate it entirely for improved comfort.
Audio quality improvements are also on the horizon, with enhanced sound performance and better Active Noise Cancellation. These upgrades are particularly significant given Apple’s focus on the Vision Pro headset, as the current USB-C version of AirPods Pro 2 is designed to pair with Vision Pro for lossless audio.
Future Developments
Among the new features coming in iOS 26, Live Translation will be a major focus. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to gain this capability, enabling real-time translation during in-person conversations with someone speaking a different language. While this feature might also come to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, it may require the new H3 chip.
The AirPods Pro line has maintained its $249 price point since its 2019 debut, and this is unlikely to change, especially considering that Apple introduced AirPods 4 with ANC in 2024 at $179.