In 2019, Apple launched the 1st-gen AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, followed by the 2nd-gen model in 2022. In 2023, the Cupertino tech giant released a slightly enhanced version of the 2nd-gen model. Now, the company is currently developing the 3rd-gen model. A recent leak raised hopes that Apple could launch the AirPods Pro 3 version soon, which excited Apple users. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has poured cold water on the excitement.
Reliable analyst suggests Apple won’t launch AirPods Pro 3 before 2026
Industry expert Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a reliable track record regarding Apple product predictions, suggests that Apple won’t launch the AirPods Pro 3 this year. Instead, the company will put the new AirPods Pro model into production sometime in 2026. Furthermore, the analyst claims that Apple will incorporate infrared cameras in the next-gen AirPods Pro version.
Contradictions are in the air regarding the new AirPods Pro
It’s worth mentioning that a couple of days ago, a user on X posted a screenshot of Apple code from “a recent software release from Apple.” The code had its text changed from the current “AirPods Pro 2nd Generation” to “AirPods Pro 2 or later.” This information suggested that the AirPods Pro 3’s launch was imminent, possibly at the WWDC 2025 event next month.
Kuo’s forecast also contradicts reporting from various publications that have indicated that AirPods Pro 3 will launch this year. Reports suggest that the new features include improved active noise cancellation, a next-gen H3 chip, and even a heart rate monitor, which Apple has already integrated into its recently updated Powerbeats Pro 4. Earlier reports have claimed that Apple could launch the new Pro model alongside the iPhone 17 lineup this September.
If Kuo’s prediction holds, Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds would go four years without a major hardware refresh. It is an unusually long cycle for a product that remains the company’s most profitable AirPods model. That said, Apple has continued to offer support for the current-gen AirPods Pro model through robust software updates, adding features like adaptive audio, personalized volume, and more.
Even worse news regarding next-gen AirPods Max
It’s worth adding that Kuo has predicted even worse news for the fans of the AirPods Max, Apple’s premium over-ear headphones. The analyst believes that a new version may not arrive until 2027 at the earliest. This leaves the current AirPods Max users stuck with a design that hasn’t seen a refresh since its launch in 2020.
Kuo did suggest that the next-gen AirPods Max model will feature a new design. This indicates that the 2027 model will be a significant update rather than a minor revision.
2025-05-20 15:11:05