New AirPods Pro 3 leaks hint at a surprise September launch

Rumors indicate that Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro 3 are expected to launch in September 2025, potentially alongside the iPhone 17. This follows Apple’s annual practice of updating its AirPods models, with recent releases including the AirPods 4 and a slight update to the AirPods Max.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 launch rumored for September 2025: Exciting features revealed

A tipster named Kosutami shared on X that Apple might unveil the AirPods Pro 3 and an updated AirTag in May or June 2025. However, industry insights suggest that Apple typically schedules AirPods launches for the fall, aligning them with new iPhone announcements. Notably, the AirPods Max debuted six weeks post-iPhone 12’s release in December 2020.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported that the AirPods Pro 3 will feature a new design and potentially include heart-rate monitoring, similar to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Nevertheless, the earbuds are still several months away from being launched.

Rumored features and improvements

The anticipated inclusion of heart-rate sensors in the AirPods Pro 3 aligns with features found in the Powerbeats Pro 2. While some may question the utility of such features if users already possess an Apple Watch, Apple appears to be exploring their potential application more broadly.

There are also reports regarding the possible integration of temperature sensors and other physiological monitoring capabilities. Additionally, analysts expect future AirPods to incorporate infrared cameras for gesture detection and enhanced audio experiences, though these innovations may not appear in the AirPods Pro 3.

Among the more exciting rumored features is an interactive touch display in the AirPods Pro 3 charging case, a concept Apple patented in 2022. Competing products, including JBL’s Live Beam 3, have already introduced similar touchscreen functionalities in their charging cases, giving Apple a competitive benchmark.

While upgrades to the charging case are likely, including a possible reduction in size, it’s expected that the current physical Bluetooth pairing and reset buttons may be replaced with a touch-capacitive interface, like that found in the AirPods 4 case.

Gurman has suggested that Apple might release two versions of the AirPods Pro 3: a premium model featuring advanced capabilities like a touchscreen and a more basic variant lacking these enhancements.

The new AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to transition from the H2 chip found in its predecessors to the new H3 chip, which could provide better performance, improved sound quality, and enhanced active noise canceling. Slightly improved battery life may also be a benefit of this upgraded chip.

While significant performance advancements might not be expected, potential enhancements could include clearer sound with better bass and improved voice-calling capabilities designed to reduce background noise effectively.

Current AirPods models, including the AirPods Pro 2, support ultralow latency and have the capacity for lossless audio when connected to Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The possibility of implementing similar lossless audio functionality in the AirPods Pro 3 when paired with newer iPhones, iPads, and Macs remains a topic of interest.

What users want

User feedback indicates a desire for enhanced design features that would improve sound quality and performance. Among the suggestions is the addition of larger eartips to accommodate users seeking a more secure fit. The current offerings do not include an extra-large size, which could significantly benefit those who struggle to achieve a proper seal with existing eartips.

Users express interest in seeing a charging case that doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter, allowing for audio streaming from inflight entertainment systems. Several competing products already offer this capability, presenting an opportunity for Apple to enhance its product functionality in future releases.

Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram