Apple’s September event is almost here, and attention naturally turns to the iPhone 17 lineup with iOS 26 in tow. Alongside the new phones, refreshed Macs, and iPads, one product sits in limbo – AirPods Pro 3. Rumors about a new version have floated for months. Some insiders point to better noise cancellation and more battery life. Others claim Apple may add health tools such as simple hearing tests or improved voice isolation for calls.
So far, none of it is confirmed. Apple has stayed silent, and that silence only fuels speculation about whether the earbuds will appear on stage next month or slip to a later launch. Either way, users expect the next Pro model to justify its name with more than minor tweaks. In this article, we round up what’s known, what’s likely, and what remains pure guesswork.
Table of Contents
Rumored Design and Hardware Changes in AirPods Pro 3
We already noted that it is still unclear whether Apple plans to show the AirPods Pro 3 in September. Even so, the steady stream of leaks suggests some small but visible adjustments could be on the table:
- The general shape is expected to stay the same – the white stem look remains too iconic for Apple to toss aside. What may shift is the size. Both the earbuds and the case could slim down, giving the set a slightly lighter feel and a more compact form.
Source: Unsplash - The case itself may also gain a cleaner front. Rumors point to a hidden LED that lights only when active, and a new capacitive touch spot on the front instead of the old button on the back.
- USB-C stays in place, Apple made that switch last year with the Pro 2, and the IP54 water resistance rating is expected to carry over. Nothing dramatic, but enough for Apple to call it progress.
- Every AirPods generation so far has debuted with a fresh chip, and this one should bring faster processing along with more efficient Bluetooth performance. AppleInsider reports that the shift from H2 to H3 will also unlock new sensor options, so Apple could expand beyond audio improvements.
- Audio quality may also get a lift, even if only modest. Leaks suggest Apple could tweak drivers or enable support for better wireless codecs, which would give the Pro 3 a slightly richer sound. It would not be a revolution, but enough for Apple to claim progress in clarity and depth.
- Battery life is another area where users expect an improvement. No firm numbers have surfaced, yet reports hint at Apple trying to push playtime closer to the eight hours that the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 already manage. If that comes true, the Pro line will finally escape the six-hour ceiling that has stayed in place since 2022.
Expected Software Updates and Functions in AirPods Pro 3
Alongside the design and hardware changes, leaks and code strings also point to new software-driven features. Many of these updates tie into iOS 26, while others build on what Apple has already rolled out in firmware for the Pro 2. Here is what might show up:
- Sleep detection could become standard. The earbuds may pause audio automatically when the user falls asleep, avoiding the familiar moment of waking up with a dead battery and a podcast halfway through.
- A remote shutter option has been spotted in testing. This would let the AirPods act as a trigger for the iPhone camera, a small but useful trick for group shots or hands-free recording.
- New routing controls may appear. One rumor suggests that when the iPhone connects to a car via Bluetooth, the AirPods can stay active instead of cutting off. That solves the annoying jump between car speakers and earbuds during short stops.
- Voice call quality is expected to improve. Updated algorithms could clean up background noise more effectively, delivering clearer speech on both sides of the call.
- Real-time translation has been mentioned by multiple outlets. If it ships, the AirPods Pro 3 could deliver instant translations of spoken language through the earbuds.
- Deeper integration with Apple’s Health ecosystem is possible. With new sensors feeding in heart rate or temperature, the software side would likely include more health dashboards and alerts inside the iPhone’s Health app.
- Apple may also expand its accessibility toolkit. Features like Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and Live Listen could get more refined controls, bringing the earbuds closer to everyday hearing support.
When Will AirPods Pro 3 Be Released?
The big question remains the release window. Apple has not confirmed anything, but reliable voices in the industry point in two different directions.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said multiple times that AirPods Pro 3 are in Apple’s pipeline for fall 2025. In his reporting, he linked the timing to the iPhone 17 event, which traditionally takes place in early September. Code references found in iOS 26 betas also back up this idea, as they already mention “AirPods Pro 3.” For many observers, this makes a September 2025 launch the most realistic scenario, with Apple aiming to have the new earbuds in stores before the holiday season. On the other side, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has cast doubt on a 2025 launch. He suggested that major AirPods updates may not appear until 2026.
AirPods may not see significant updates until 2026 (aligning with my earlier prediction that IR camera-equipped AirPods would enter mass production in 2026). A lighter version of the AirPods Max is expected to enter mass production in 2027.
AirPods可能要到2026年才會有顯著更新…
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 18, 2025
So, until Apple takes the stage, the only safe conclusion is that AirPods Pro 3 remain in the rumor column.
Final Thoughts
Well, judging from the current flow of rumors, we lean toward September as the most likely moment for Apple to show the AirPods Pro 3. The company usually ties these launches to the iPhone event, and Bloomberg’s reports line up neatly with that pattern.
The updates themselves look fairly weighty. Still, we do not see a strong reason to swap out our AirPods Pro 2. Most of the new functions target niches we personally don’t need every day. That said, plenty of users will find the features tempting. Live translation alone could be a selling point for frequent travelers, and accessibility improvements matter for anyone who depends on Conversation Boost or hearing support. Those buyers may jump quickly, while the rest of us wait.
Either way, as Apple fans, we will watch the September keynote closely and wait for the official reveal or the surprise press release that finally puts an end to all the speculation around AirPods Pro 3.
