The AirPods Pro 2 — now nearly two years old and refreshed last fall with USB-C — still dominate in-ear sales according to market analysts. But with September just around the corner, Apple watchers are buzzing: a third-generation AirPods Pro could be announced alongside the iPhone 17 lineup at the company’s annual fall event.
Leaks are sparse but telling. The focus? Smarter features, better health integration, and more refined audio tech — all wrapped in a subtly refreshed design.
Smarter Noise Cancellation and a Next-Gen Audio Chip
One reliable leaker hinted last year that improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is on the way. That tracks. While ANC on the current Pro model remains top-tier, competition from brands like Sony and Bose has only intensified.
Backing that up will likely be a new version of Apple’s H2 chip, the silicon that drives audio processing, adaptive transparency, and battery optimization. Expect enhancements in clarity, real-time sound adaptation, and possibly spatial audio calibration based on your ear shape.
Health Features: Will the AirPods Catch Up to Beats?
Apple has been slow to bring health sensors to its AirPods line, but that could finally change. Speculation suggests the AirPods Pro 3 may introduce heart rate monitoring — a feature recently added to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, another Apple-owned product.
Body temperature sensing could also make the leap, a logical step considering Apple Watch already tracks baseline temperature trends. Full temperature readings would be new territory for Apple’s wearables, and earbuds might be an ideal place to do it discreetly.
Design Tweaks on the Horizon
While no images or CAD leaks have surfaced yet, subtle design changes to the stem or case are expected. Apple tends to iterate, not overhaul, so any redesign will likely aim for improved comfort or better sensor placement rather than a radical shift.
Software: Sleep Detection, Nods, Translations, and More
Even without hardware changes, AirPods have quietly evolved via firmware and iOS updates. Expect the AirPods Pro 3 to take this further:
- Sleep detection that automatically powers down your buds
- Gesture controls via subtle nods or shakes
- Live translation (possibly post-launch via iOS update)
- Camera remote shutter via AirPods in iOS 26
- Continued accessibility features, like conversation enhancement
Apple’s goal seems to be positioning the AirPods as more than just headphones — turning them into a full-blown wearable ecosystem.
Don’t Expect New AirPods or AirPods Max Anytime Soon
If you’re holding out for AirPods Max 2, prepare to wait. Apple has barely touched its premium over-ear headphones since 2020 — last year’s USB-C refresh added lossless support, but that’s about it.
And as for standard AirPods? Gen 4 just landed in 2024, so updates there are likely a year away at minimum.
