Kuo Says AirPods Pro 3 Aren’t Launching Anytime Soon
Just when we were gearing up for fresh Apple earbuds in 2025, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo chimed in with a cold dose of reality: AirPods Pro 3 probably won’t drop until 2026. He also says there are no major AirPods hardware updates planned for the rest of this year.
That’s a surprise, especially with the AirPods Pro 2 now three years old. Apple usually updates products on a more predictable cycle, especially its top-selling accessories. But if Kuo’s sources are solid (and they usually are), we’ll have to wait a little longer for any real upgrades.
What’s the Deal with AirPods Pro 3?
According to Kuo and a handful of leaks, AirPods Pro 3 could ship with infrared camera, tech that might work with Apple Vision Pro to deliver spatial audio that responds to your environment. Sounds wild, right?
Other rumors had us dreaming of a heart rate monitor, better active noise cancellation, and all kinds of health-tracking perks. Sadly, it seems those features won’t show up in 2025, if at all.
Meanwhile, Beats’ new Powerbeats Pro 4 already sports heart rate tracking, so it’s not like Apple’s ignoring that tech, just not putting it into AirPods yet.
Apple Is Still Updating AirPods, Just Not Physically
While there may be no shiny new AirPods Pro hardware in 2025, Apple isn’t leaving users in the dust. If you’ve got a pair of AirPods Pro 2, they’ve picked up serious software upgrades, including the ability to function as certified hearing aids.
That’s right, AirPods Pro 2 now have hearing aid functionality baked in. That’s thanks to updates in iOS 17 and 18, and it’s honestly one of the most useful features Apple has rolled out in years. It shows Apple is still improving the product, just not in the flashy “new model” way we might be hoping for.
AirPods 4: The Budget-Friendly Disruptor
Apple also launched AirPods 4 last fall, and they’re not bad at all. Priced at $179 and offering Active Noise Cancellation, they bring some Pro-level features to the mainstream. They’re not revolutionary, but for the average user, they deliver a solid experience at a better price.
But if you’re someone looking for top-tier innovation, the AirPods 4 are more like a stopgap than a solution.
And Then There’s the AirPods Max…
According to Kuo, a second-gen AirPods Max might not arrive until 2027. That’s… brutal. Despite the addition of the new USB-C connector, the aging H1 chips, and a premium price tag that still hovers near $549, these headphones are starting to feel dated, even if they still sound great.
At this rate, the AirPods Max might go longer than any other Apple audio product without a proper update. I mean, if you consider the change to USB-C a proper update, that’s on you.
Should You Still Buy AirPods in 2025?
If you need a new pair of AirPods, don’t let the 2026 rumors stop you. AirPods Pro 2 are still arguably the best all-round earbuds in Apple’s lineup, especially now that they double as hearing aids and feature smarter adaptive audio modes.
But if you’re waiting specifically for AirPods Pro 3, with cutting-edge hardware like IR cameras and new health features? You’ll want to be patient, and maybe keep an eye on Beats updates in the meantime.
The 404 Take
Apple’s AirPods lineup seems to be in a holding pattern, with AirPods Pro 3 delayed until 2026 and AirPods Max possibly stuck in 2020 until 2027. While software updates and mid-tier models are doing their best to fill the gap, those of us craving next-gen AirPods hardware will have to sit tight.
But hey, if Apple really is cooking up something radical with IR audio and spatial tracking, maybe, just maybe, the wait will be worth it.
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