The AirPods Pro 2 have been a massive success for Apple, with the company stating that they are the most popular headphones to date. However, all eyes are now on the potential release of the AirPods Pro 3, which could surpass this milestone. The anticipation for these next-generation earbuds continues to grow, but Apple has yet to announce an official release.
Many fans of the AirPods line expected the AirPods Pro 3 to debut during Apple’s highly anticipated Glowtime event on September 9. However, this was not the case. Instead, Apple introduced the AirPods 4, revealed new color options for the AirPods Max, and introduced three new features for the AirPods Pro 2. These features—centered around hearing health—allow users to better protect, monitor, and enhance their hearing, and it’s highly likely that these innovations will carry over to the AirPods Pro 3.
Before the event, some rumors hinted that the AirPods Pro 3 would not be part of the Glowtime event, disappointing many eager fans. However, those same rumors also gave us insight into when the AirPods Pro 3 might actually launch, which we’ll delve into further in the release date section.
While the current AirPods lineup has many strong contenders, there’s little doubt that the AirPods Pro 3 will set a new standard in wireless audio technology once they are revealed. Apple has always excelled at offering seamless integration between hardware and software, and the next iteration of their Pro earbuds is expected to continue that tradition.
Speculation about the AirPods Pro 3 includes rumors about their pricing and potential release dates. However, many of these rumors have turned out to be about other Apple products. For those currently looking to buy AirPods, it might be worth holding off on your purchase until more concrete information is available.
With the AirPods Pro 3 absent from the September 9 event, we now look toward early next year as the most likely launch window. This expectation comes from a report by renowned Apple analyst Mark Gurman, who recently stated that the new Pro earbuds are “due as early as next year,” meaning sometime in 2025.
Looking back at previous AirPods Pro releases, the second-generation AirPods Pro arrived on September 23, 2022, and received an update in September 2023 that added USB-C compatibility. Other than the updated port, this was essentially the same product. While it might be tempting to expect an annual update, history suggests otherwise.
The original AirPods Pro launched on October 30, 2019, and there was a significant three-year gap between the first and second generations. The 2023 update was an exception, primarily due to the transition to USB-C, which coincided with the release of the USB-C iPhone 15. Given this timeline, it’s unlikely we’ll see another major AirPods Pro upgrade in 2024.
In summary, while the AirPods Pro 3 didn’t make an appearance at Apple’s recent event, there’s still a lot of excitement surrounding their eventual release. If Apple follows its usual release cycle, the new AirPods Pro 3 will likely make their debut early next year, offering new features and improved performance that will further solidify their place at the top of the wireless earbuds market.
