Apple is working on a major revision to AirPods Pro, which could be released as soon as this year.Plus, new AirPods Max are also in the pipeline.Here’s everything we know about when to expect Apple to release new AirPods… Apple’s current AirPods lineup Here is Apple’s AirPods lineup as it stands today: AirPods 4 (currently on sale for $99) AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (currently on sale for $149) AirPods Pro 2 (currently on sale for $169) AirPods Max (currently on sale for $499) AirPods Pro 3 AirPods Pro 3 release date AirPods Pro 3 are perhaps the most highly anticipated update to the lineup.
AirPods Pro 2 were introduced in September 2022 and have undergone significant improvements since then, thanks to regular software updates.There are even new features coming later this year alongside iOS 26.In terms of a hardware revision, however, AirPods Pro 3 have been in the rumor mill quite a bit.
Mark Gurman has reported that AirPods Pro 3 are set for a release later this year.Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however, says Apple isn’t planning on any major hardware updates for AirPods until the release of AirPods Pro 3 in 2026.Analyst Jeff Pu has also corroborated this timeline.
There is, however, small evidence inside the first iOS 26 beta that Apple is laying the groundwork for an imminent launch of AirPods Pro 3.At the earliest, I would expect AirPods Pro 3 to launch this fall.I’d lean towards Gurman’s timeline on this more than I would Kuo or Pu.
New AirPods Pro 3 features In terms of new features, AirPods Pro 3 are expected to pack a notable punch.They will reportedly feature a new H3 chip inside, which should bring big upgrades to audio quality, battery life, connectivity speed, noise cancellation, Transparency Mode, and more.There have also been rumors of AirPods Pro 3 featuring a “new design” of some sort.
The specific details here are unclear, but one possibility is that Apple shortens the stems in order to make AirPods Pro 3 and the accompanying charging case even more compact.I wouldn’t anticipate any radical changes to the design, though.Apple added revolutionary new hearing health features to the AirPods Pro 2 last fall.
The company is expected to continue turning AirPods into a health-focused product with AirPods Pro 3.There are rumors of a built-in body temperature sensor, as well as heart rate monitoring technology.Interestingly enough, Apple’s Beats brand launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds earlier this year with a built-in heart rate sensor (full review).
Finally, Apple is also working on future AirPods models with built-in cameras.This upgrade, however, seems unlikely to arrive alongside AirPods Pro 3.AirPods Max Apple debuted a very minor revision to AirPods Max last fall, replacing the Lightning port with USB-C for charging and new colors.
In March of this year, Apple released a firmware update for AirPods Max, introducing lossless audio support and ultra-low latency audio.According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple isn’t planning to release new AirPods Max until 2027 at the earliest.That update, however, could be the biggest revamp to AirPods Max since their launch in December 2020.
In particular, Kuo says we should expect a revamped design that makes AirPods Max significantly lighter.This would address one of the most common complaints about the current AirPods Max design.AirPods 5 Apple debuted the new AirPods 4 last fall, bringing massive improvements like support for Active Noise Cancellation for the first time, the H2 chip, a new design, and more.
There are no rumors about what to expect from AirPods 5 at this point in time.I wouldn’t expect AirPods 5 to launch for several more years.When they are updated, they will likely get a new H3 chip and other improvements similar to AirPods Pro.
With that in mind, if you’re on the fence about buying AirPods 4, now is a great time to do it.Wrap up Apple’s most imminent plans for new AirPods are the AirPods Pro 3.That update is also likely the most dramatic update on the horizon.
AirPods Pro are extremely popular, and there have been no major hardware changes since they launched in September 2022.What do you think of the current state of the AirPods lineup? Are there any big changes you hope to see? Let us know in the comments.Best AirPods Pro accessories Belkin AirPods Pro Cleaning Kit Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe for AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone Incase Lanyard for AirPods Pro 2 FutureCharger AirPods Pro Wireless Charger You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.
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