There is a lot of talk that Apple may release the third-generation AirPods Pro 3 sometime in 2025 since the company usually updates one of its AirPods models year and the AirPods Pro is ready for an upgrade. The brand-new AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Canceling were released last year. However, Apple simply updated its high-end over-ear headphones with USB-C charging and new colors, disappointing those of us who were waiting for the release of the AirPods Max 2. Who knows what the future holds, particularly as businesses deal with the effects of the Trump tariffs? Putting all of that aside, here are the most recent speculations about the AirPods Pro 3 and the enhancements I hope to see.

See also: 2025’s Top Wireless Earphones

Date of the rumored AirPods Pro 3 release
Kosutami, a tipster, said in a recent post on X that Apple intended to release the AirPods Pro 3 and AirTag 2 in May or June of this year, according to MacOS Rumors. Given that Apple has traditionally introduced next-generation AirPods in the autumn along with new iPhone models, that seems improbable. The AirPods Max, which were unveiled on December 8, 2020, or six weeks after the iPhone 12’s debut, was one exception.

Although anything is conceivable, it is more probable that the AirPods Pro 3 will be released in September with the iPhone 17. The AirPods Pro 3 will include a redesigned design and heart-rate tracking like Apple’s new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who is often a more trustworthy Apple whisperer. However, their release is still months away.

Will the AirPods Pro 3 be impacted by Trump’s tariffs?

Smartphones, laptops, and several other devices were temporarily exempt from the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. As of right now, however, the AirPods don’t seem to be free from those additional import taxes since headphones weren’t on that list.

In order to pay for the levy, Reuters reported on April 4 that the AirPods will see a 39% price increase. However, because a portion of AirPods are manufactured in Vietnam and India, both of which were granted a three-month exemption from reciprocal duties (though they are still subject to 10% tariffs), that amount is probably smaller today. Apple may move more of its AirPods Pro 3 manufacture to Vietnam and India if those nations are able to continue evading the levies. Although the AirPods Pro have always cost $250, but discounts at Amazon and other online retailers usually reduce the price down to less than $200 and sometimes less than $180, that would enable Apple to maintain the AirPods Pro 3’s list price at $250.

Since the tariff situation is still unstable, new items may be delayed or launched outside of the United States. Prices for iPhones and other Apple items used to be lowest in the United States, but that may change.

New sensors for heart rate and temperature
It now seems more plausible that the AirPods Pro 3 will also have the heart-rate sensors stated in the Powerbeats Pro 2. If you already have an Apple Watch, I’m not sure how helpful that function is. With the Powerbeats Pro 2 serving as a kind of test subject, Apple is still developing the technology and probably has bigger intentions for the heart-rate monitoring of its buds.

Another Gurman article referencing the potential addition of temperature sensors and other physiological measures to the AirPods was picked up by a number of tech publications. He and Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple expert, also revealed that Apple was developing infrared cameras for next AirPods. According to Kuo’s research, infrared cameras might be utilized for a variety of purposes, such as recognizing hand gestures in midair, improving spatial audio, or identifying changes in the surroundings for software, such as Apple Intelligence. The AirPods Pro 4 could gain some of that camera technology, but don’t expect to see it in the Pro 3.

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A heart-rate sensor and ear-detection sensors are included in every Powerbeats Pro 2 bud.
Touch screen display case for AirPods
The most exciting alleged addition, in my opinion, is an interactive touch screen that doubles as a remote control in the charging case for the AirPods Pro 3. The theory has been going around for a while since Apple filed a patent for it back in 2022, and in recent months, a number of touchscreen-equipped AirPods knockoffs have appeared on Amazon. Additionally, as a sequel to 2023’s Tour Pro 2 earphones, which had a color touchscreen in their casing, JBL introduced three new Live 3 earbuds last year, including the Live Beam 3. Competing earbuds include a 1.5-inch LED touch display, which is a feature of all the new Live 3 versions’ charging cases.

I’m not sure how probable it is that the AirPods Pro 3 will have a touchscreen charging case, but there will probably be some improvements made to the case—some people have even suggested that it may grow smaller. If nothing else, a concealed touch-capacitive “button” similar to the one on the cover of the AirPods 4 should be used in place of the actual Bluetooth connection and reset button.

I could envision Apple producing two versions of the AirPods Pro 3—a more expensive model with a few more features like a touchscreen in the charging case and a step-down version that eliminates them—given that it produced two versions of the AirPods 4.

enhanced performance of the AirPods Pro 3 with the H3 chip
Apple’s H2 processor powers the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and Powerbeats Pro 2. Assuming Apple continues to use its present earbud/headphone chip nomenclature, there are rumors that the AirPods Pro 3 may get the new H3 chip. more sound quality, more active noise cancellation, and improved voice-calling capabilities might result from the addition of a more potent, energy-efficient processor as well as modifications to the acoustic architecture and microphone design of the buds. Additionally, we could see somewhat longer battery life.

The AirPods Pro 3 could sound a little clearer and have greater bass definition than its predecessor, but I don’t anticipate a significant improvement in performance. They could have more effective noise cancellation that can block out a greater variety of frequencies. Additionally, the buds will probably perform even better at capturing your speech and cutting down on background noise when you use voice calling.

When used with Apple’s expensive Vision Pro headset, the ultralow-latency AirPods Pro 2 and Powerbeats Pro 2 can even produce lossless audio. According to what I’ve been informed, the AirPods Pro 2 and Powerbeats Pro 2 can successfully transmit lossless music when using the Vision Pro headset since the buds and headset are just a few inches away, resulting in a very brief wireless connection. There has been discussion about Apple developing a way to enable lossless audio on the upcoming AirPods when you link them with your iPhone. Although I’m not banking on it, I hope the AirPods Pro 3 will support lossless audio when paired with the newest iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

The AirPods Pro 3 (and maybe the Pro 2 and Pro 4) include a live translating option.
It wasn’t a great surprise when Bloomberg recently revealed that the AirPods Pro 3 may be including live translation via Apple’s Translate app with the introduction of iOS 19 this autumn, since I’ve lately come across a number of Chinese earbuds on Amazon that don’t have names and have live translation capabilities. The article discusses how Apple intends to enhance the iOS Translation app and make the translation process easier with the function integrated into its earphones, even if the iOS Translate app currently has rather strong translation skills. A summary of the research is available on MacRumors for individuals who are unable to access Bloomberg’s information due to its paywall.

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, which both have Apple’s H2 chip and a lot of processing power, are likely to get live translation since this is more of an iPhone/iOS 19 feature, where your voice is translated and played through your iPhone’s speakers for other people to hear. The live translation capability may possibly be added to Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Improved sound quality and one essential feature are on my wish list for the AirPods Pro 3.
Some of these purported added functions, like temperature detection and heart-rate monitoring, don’t really interest me. Any improvements to the overall performance and design of the buds excite me more.

I’ve already expressed my desire for all new AirPods to come with a case that doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter so that music from in-flight entertainment may be wirelessly streamed to the buds. Some true wireless earbuds contain charging cases that double as Bluetooth transmitters, such as the Poly Voyager Free 60 Plus, Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, and Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2. All you have to do is plug the case into the 3.5mm socket on the console or armrest of your seat using the included wire. Although I really hope they do, I don’t think the AirPods Pro 3 will acquire this capability.

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The charging case of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 may be used as a Bluetooth transmitter.
Additionally, I would like to see Apple provide a pair of extra-large eartips. I have tried a number of third-party foam tips, but I could really need an XL tip for my left ear, which is a little different from my right, and I hardly get a firm seal with the AirPods Pro 2’s existing big tips. Apple included a fourth tiny ear tip in the AirPods Pro 2 for those with smaller ears. The charging case would need to be able to hold a somewhat bigger ear tip, which presents an issue when adding a fifth XL tip. Apple would be wise to include that fifth XL tip for those who need larger eartips since a good seal is crucial for maximizing sound clarity and noise-canceling capabilities.