Apple AirPods Pro 3: Five new features

Apple hasn’t updated the AirPods Pro since 2022. Accordingly, it’s slowly but surely time for an update. There are already several references to the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 in Apple code. Rumors suggest that Apple is planning exciting new features to make upgrading to the latest model worthwhile.

Health Features

At the beginning of the year, Apple released the Powerbeats Pro 2 with heart rate monitoring. This feature is also expected for the AirPods Pro 3. Temperature measurement is also possible. The Apple Watch can measure skin temperature, but it is not accurate for fever. Temperature measurements in the ear would provide better data.

Upgrade in Sound Quality

Apple is improving the AirPods’ H-series chip, which is expected to result in improved audio quality. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 support lossless audio in conjunction with Vision Pro thanks to a proprietary wireless audio protocol, and Apple could expand this to other devices. The AirPods Pro 3 could adopt Bluetooth 5.4 for better audio latency.

Better Active Noise Cancellation

The H3 chip enables even faster processing within the device for improved active noise cancellation and better adaptive audio. The H2 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 actively reduces louder, intermittent sounds 48,000 times per second to reduce ambient noise pollution. An improved H-series chip could improve this even further.

Revised Design

Apple will update the design of the AirPods Pro 3. The AirPods 4 received a slimmer case, a hidden capacitive pairing button, and a hidden LED. The same changes could also be seen in the next AirPods Pro. The earbuds could also receive a revised design, and upgrade options include a smaller in-ear tip and a shorter stem.

Updated Tracking

The AirPods Pro 3 are also expected to feature Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wide Band (UWB) chip for more precise tracking with the Find My app. Live translation was also a popular topic in the rumors. Apple has now introduced this feature for all AirPods models that are connected to an iPhone with Apple Intelligence and iOS 26. Live Translation also works on Apple Intelligence-compatible Macs and iPads. We expect the AirPods Pro 3 to be released later this year, possibly at Apple’s September event, where the new iPhone 17 models will be unveiled.

We expect the AirPods Pro 3 to arrive later this year, possibly at Apple’s September event where the new iPhone 17 models will be unveiled.