Apple September 9 event is expected to bring more than just the iPhone 17 with its new design and cameras. The company may also reveal the AirPods Pro 3, which haven’t seen an update in three years.
Just like the Apple Watch, health is becoming a bigger focus for Apple. Reports suggest the new AirPods Pro could get health-tracking features and even infrared sensors, making them the most advanced earbuds Apple has ever released.
Possible launch and release timeline
Rumors of the AirPods Pro 3 launch have been swirling for months. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously said the earbuds were only “months away,” making a September debut very likely. Apple also has a history of launching earbuds at its September events.
However, other reports claim that mass production may not start until 2026, a timeline also supported by trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The main reason for the delay could be the addition of infrared cameras, which may power advanced features.
Expected design and features
Rumors suggest that Apple will give the AirPods Pro 3 a new design and a faster H3 chip to improve active noise cancellation, after years without a major refresh.
Other possible upgrades include:
- New touch controls that work even with gloves
- USB-C charging case with Bluetooth 5.4 for lower latency
- Slimmer, lighter case design
On the health front, the earbuds could come with heart rate monitoring and even in-ear temperature sensors, similar to features seen in some fitness earbuds.
Apple may also bring over new features from iOS 26, like:
- Remote control of iPhone/iPad cameras through the earbud stem
- Sleep detection that pauses playback when you fall asleep
- More head gesture controls
- Live translation during calls
Infrared cameras, reportedly being tested, might also enable AI-powered features, spatial audio improvements, and gesture-based controls in the future.
Price expectations
While Apple hasn’t revealed pricing, the AirPods Pro 3 could be more expensive than the current AirPods Pro 2 (₹24,900 in India), mainly due to the advanced health and sensor upgrades.
In short, the AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be Apple’s most advanced earbuds yet but the big question is whether we’ll see them next week or have to wait until 2026.
