AirPods Pro 3: Worth the Wait? Release Date & New Features

08/05/2025 Mobile

The AirPods Pro 2 are still a top choice for wireless earbuds, and it's easy to see why. They sound great, have amazing noise cancellation, and Apple keeps adding new features through software updates. However, rumors are pointing to a possible AirPods Pro 3 release in September 2025, possibly alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup. So, you might be wondering: should you buy the current AirPods Pro 2 or wait for the next generation?

Besides their audio quality, the AirPods Pro 2 have stayed popular because Apple keeps rolling out cool new features. With iOS 17, we got Adaptive Audio and mute controls, along with faster device switching. Then, iOS 18 brought head-gesture Siri commands, better Adaptive Audio controls, and even Personalized Spatial Audio for gamers. Apple didn't stop there, and later updates brought FDA-approved hearing-aid functionality to the AirPods Pro 2, which is really useful if you have mild to moderate hearing loss.

What to Expect from AirPods Pro 3

From what I've heard, the AirPods Pro 3 will definitely have all the current software features. But, we're also expecting some hardware upgrades. Several sources say that both the earbuds and the case will have a new design. There's talk about them being slimmer, with a hidden status LED, and a capacitive pairing button on the front – similar to the fourth-generation AirPods.

Inside, Apple is reportedly testing a faster audio chip that will make Active Noise Cancellation even better than it already is on the AirPods Pro 2. This is important if Apple wants to stay ahead of the competition, like Sony and Bose.

According to Mark Gurman, Apple is also working on in-ear heart-rate tracking for the AirPods Pro 3. Their recent Powerbeats Pro 2 can already track heart rate during workouts, but they can't stream music to gym equipment at the same time. If Apple can make audio playback and biometric reporting work seamlessly together, the AirPods Pro 3 could be a hit with fitness enthusiasts.

Apple is also exploring ear-canal temperature sensing. If this makes it to the final product, it could give us more accurate body-temperature readings than the Apple Watch Series 8 and later. However, it's not clear if this sensor will be ready in time for a 2025 release.

One exciting rumor suggests that the AirPods Pro 3 could work with the iPhone's Translate app to provide real-time conversation translation directly through the earbuds. Imagine hearing an instant translation of what someone is saying in another language without needing to use any other devices. While the details are still unclear, this idea fits well with Apple's focus on AI.

Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates will add new features to AirPods through a firmware update. Some of them are auto-pausing audio when you fall asleep, using AirPods as a camera remote, keeping audio in your AirPods when your iPhone is connected to other playback devices, and better call quality.

Looking further ahead, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is testing AirPods with infrared cameras to improve spatial audio. Gurman has also heard about small cameras being considered for AI features. These cameras could even enable "in-air gesture control," letting you control your devices with hand movements. While these projects are high priority for Apple, they're not expected to arrive before 2026.

While many expect the AirPods Pro 3 to launch in 2025, some reports suggest it could be delayed. Analyst Jeff Pu thinks Apple might not release them until 2026, and Ming-Chi Kuo has also hinted at possible delays.

However, there's still plenty of evidence pointing to a 2025 release. Recent Apple beta software updates have leaked code that mentions the AirPods Pro 3. The iOS 26 code specifically names "AirPods Pro 3" in audio interface elements. Mark Gurman, who first reported the 2025 timeline, hasn't said anything to suggest that his report is outdated or that delays have occurred. Earlier this year, he mentioned that the updated earbuds are "months away."

Historically, Apple has launched major AirPods updates alongside new iPhones. So, an event in early September, possibly with the iPhone 17 series, seems like the most likely scenario. Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 being the most probable dates.

So, with the AirPods Pro 3 potentially arriving soon, should you wait or buy the existing model? The AirPods 4 bring Active Noise Cancellation to a lower price point, while the AirPods Pro 2 offer top-notch sound, proven ANC, and a hearing-aid mode. However, if you're interested in heart-rate tracking, live translation, and even better ANC, the AirPods Pro 3 could be the biggest upgrade since the original AirPods Pro. Hopefully, they won't raise the price too much.