An unreleased Apple audio product with a new Bluetooth ID was spotted in the latest codebase update. Could this be AirPods Pro 3? Here’s what we know so far.
Mysterious New Audio Device Pops Up in Apple’s Code, Is It AirPods Pro 3?
Apple just dropped a breadcrumb trail for the curious. As pointed out by MacRumors, a new audio product ID which doesn’t match any current AirPods or Beats, has been quietly added to Apple’s codebase.
The fresh Bluetooth ID, 8239, showed up in recently updated device sync code. That might not sound exciting at first glance, but Apple assigns unique IDs to every one of its wireless audio devices, from AirPods to Beats. The ID doesn’t match AirPods Pro 2 (8228) or any existing models, which means: new gear is definitely coming.
So What Could It Be?
While there’s no name attached to this ID (yet), current rumors and timing point toward AirPods Pro 3. Leaks suggest Apple’s next-gen Pro buds could launch later this year, with upgrades like:
- Improved audio quality and noise cancellation
- Refined design
- Possible health sensors like heart rate monitoring
- Infrared camera
- Tech that might work with the Apple Vision Pro for spatial audio that responds to the environment
In an earlier report, Ming-Chi Kuo said that no major AirPods refresh is expected until at least 2026.
Of course, there’s always a slim chance it could be a new Beats model. But considering how prominent AirPods are in Apple’s ecosystem, and how close we are to refresh season, AirPods Pro 3 is the most likely suspect. References to the new earbuds were also found in iOS 26 beta.
Related: AirPods Beta Firmware 8A293c With iOS 26 Features Available to Download
Until Apple makes it official, we’ll just have to keep refreshing the beta changelogs and hoping someone leaks a prototype. For now, though, the code doesn’t lie: something new is on the way, and your ears should be excited.
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