Despite being launched over two years ago, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 continues to lead the wireless earbud market. AirPods Pro 3 release date is expected to land in 2025, so anyone looking at purchasing Apple’s high-end earbuds might be weighing up whether they should hold out for the next-gen device.

The Rumored AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 2 is well known not just for this promise of audio glory and noise cancellation but because it also boasts Apple will keep boosting its features with software updates. With iOS 17 introduced last year, Adaptive Audio kicked in, augmenting mute controls and faster automatic device switching. The newest iOS 18 update introduces head gestures for Siri, lets users control the virtual assistant with their head movements, a Voice Isolation feature to minimize background noises, and improved Adaptive Audio controls as well as a fresh Personalized Spatial Audio feature aimed at gaming.

In October, AirPods Pro 2 is poised for a significant upgrade with the iOS 18.1 release, which will introduce hearing aid capabilities for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. It is an FDA-authorized feature and it has the potential to be greatly helpful for a lot of users. Subsequent generations of the AirPods Pro will get these capabilities and more, we hear. The earbuds and the charging case of AirPods Pro 3 are said to be redesigned, according to reports, meaning they will look very different from what we have seen with the current model.

According to a tipster close to Apple, the company on the inside is working to deliver sound improvements with a faster audio processor and possibly better Active Noise Cancellation than what’s currently available in the already stellar AirPods Pro 2. Health features may also be a priority, with rumors suggesting new sensors that could measure body temperature within the ear canal, aligning with Apple’s broader health monitoring strategy. Looking further ahead, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculates that integrated infrared cameras for AirPods may arrive as early as 2026 to enhance spatial audio experiences with the Vision Pro headset.

The recent launch of the fourth-generation AirPods offers insights into potential design changes for the AirPods Pro 3, including the removal of the traditional setup button in favor of a concealed capacitive button. The charging case’s status light has also been redesigned to be invisible when closed or not charging, only becoming visible when the case is opened or placed on a charger. These changes contribute to the most compact and lightweight AirPods charging case yet, suggesting that similar designs could be adopted for the next-generation AirPods Pro.

As the anticipated AirPods Pro 3 launch approaches within the next year, buyers must weigh their options. The newly released AirPods 4 feature some Pro attributes, including Active Noise Cancellation, at a more accessible price of $179. However, those looking for cutting-edge technology might prefer to wait for the AirPods Pro 3, especially if they build upon the upcoming hearing aid functionality while retaining the current price of $249.