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It’s been almost three years since Apple released the AirPods Pro 2, the tech giant’s premium-grade wireless earbuds. While Apple has added new features to the second-generation AirPods Pro every year since, many are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the AirPods Pro 3.
Arguably Apple’s most popular product after the iPhone, the AirPods Pro have long set the standard for wireless earbuds. Last year, Apple introduced the AirPods 4 and a new variant with active noise cancellation, bringing ANC to its more affordable earbuds for the very first time.
But with rumours suggesting a redesign for both the earbuds and the charging case, as well as new health-tracking features, the AirPods Pro 3 could be Apple’s best earbuds yet. Here’s everything we know so far – including the expected release date, price and what new features could be on the way.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: Release date
While Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the AirPods Pro 3, all signs point to a release later this year.
In February, Apple insider Mark Gurman reported that the AirPods Pro 3 are just “months away” from launch. In the past, Apple has released its AirPods Pro earbuds alongside a new phone, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they launch sometime in September with the rumoured iPhone 17.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: Price
There aren’t any pricing rumours surrounding the AirPods Pro 3 just yet, but earbuds and headphones don’t tend to fluctuate in price very much. In 2022, the AirPods Pro 2 launched at £249, and Apple lowered the price in 2023 to £229 when it launched a new charging case with USB-C.
I don’t think the AirPods Pro 3 will cost significantly more than this, though it’s likely Apple will bump it back up to £249 rather than stick with the £229 price tag of the AirPods Pro 2.
The base AirPods 4 cost £129 and the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation cost £279, so they’re certain to cost more than that. In fact, the AirPods 3 cost £169, so Apple increased the price by £10. A return to a £249 price tag isn’t really out of the realm of possibility.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: Design and specs
If the rumours are to be believed, the AirPods Pro 3 have been in the works for a number of years, and they’re set to get a big design upgrade.
In October 2023, Gurman claimed that the AirPods Pro will be updated with a new design and a faster H3 chip, giving it even better active noise cancellation.
Earlier this February, Apple filed a patent which described a change to the way the earbuds’ touch controls work. According to the patent, users will be able to perform vertical control movements on a non-capacitive surface, meaning you could theoretically increase the volume while wearing gloves.
I think they’ll look broadly the same, however, white AirPods with short stems. The tech giant doesn’t seem to deviate very much when it comes to design. They’re so distinctive that I can’t see them shifting on colour, either.
The charging case will almost certainly boast USB-C connectivity, seeing as Apple has pretty much shifted all its devices over to the new standard, and it’s very likely the AirPods Pro 3 will borrow design features from the fourth-generation charging case.
Apple got rid of the physical “setup button” on the AirPods 4’s rear, replacing it with a capacitive sensor on the front of the case, just under the LED sensor. The indicator all but disappears when it’s not in use. The case was also slimmer and lighter, and I expect the AirPods Pro 3 to gain a similar charging case when it’s released.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: Features
Now, here’s the most exciting part about the AirPods Pro 3 – the features. While sound and active noise cancellation are expected to get better, it’s the features that could really make the earbuds shine.
Firstly, they could be crammed full of health and fitness features. The all-new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 can track your heart rate, and according to Mark Gurman, this feature could also come to the AirPods Pro 2. He said in December 2024 that Apple was working on in-ear heart rate monitoring for health and fitness purposes, meaning you could track your heart rate while exercising without having to wear an Apple Watch. He also suggested that Apple was researching in-ear temperature sensors.
In March 2025, Bloomberg reported that the new AirPods Pro 3 will also be able to translate conversations in real-time. The AirPods Pro 3 will reportedly be able to detect the language of the person you’re speaking to, and relay the translation into the wearer’s ear, something facilitated by the Translate app.
Lastly, Apple is reportedly testing infrared cameras in the AirPods themselves, though this is probably a few years away, so not a feature for the AirPods Pro 3. Mark Gurman said these cameras would be used for AI, and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said they might help with spatial audio experiences and could potentially allow for gesture control.
Best Apple AirPods Pro deals
With impressive sound and noticeably better noise cancellation than the first-generation pro earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2 also feature touch controls on the buds themselves. In his review, tech critic David Phelan said of the buds: “Noise-cancelling was good enough to reduce continuous sounds such as engine noise on a train”. Now, you can save £40 while they’re discounted at Laptops Direct.
Looking for more AirPods deals? We’ve rounded up the best discounts on Apple’s flagship earbuds
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