Table of Contents
Introduction
At WWDC 2025, Apple announced iOS 26—but lying in the first developer beta of iOS 26 is a subtle reveal: “AirPods Pro 3”. Found by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, the reference sits alongside AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 within a headphone-related UI framework hidden in the code.
This would be the very first explicit in-code confirmation that a third-generation Pro model exists, moving beyond previous such hints as “AirPods Pro 2 or later” appearing in earlier software titles of Apple’s. That is a pretty strong indicator that Apple is actively preparing system support for a hardware release.
AirPods Pro 3がiPhone17シリーズと同時発表？iOS26に痕跡https://t.co/V8zeArwlpY pic.twitter.com/KCiG0rADcN
— iPhone Mania (@iPhoneMania_jp) June 11, 2025
Given that this is a relatively hidden reference in UI code, this leak is consistent with Apple’s usual method of keeping meet tight-lipped on upcoming products. Whereas the transition from a vague wording to a very concrete product name signals that internally, the AirPods Pro 3 project is well on its way to being a real thing.
Rumored Launch Timing & Platform Sync
Many signs point toward a release this upcoming fall of 2025, probably alongside the iPhone 17 event in September. Multiple sources, including 9to5Mac and TechTimes, corroborate this timeline.
As is usual with Apple, the release occurred in September, parallel to an unveiling of new hardware, as has been done with previous releases of the AirPods. Apple, by putting in references to the Pro 3 within iOS 26, allowed the software ecosystem to be ready on the very day of the launch.
Most critical of all, the OS-level support enables updated UI elements, custom controls, firmware update via iOS, and maybe some new integration with Apple Intelligence glue that yields a super seamless user experience.
Likewise, they get the system-level readiness so that third-party developers can leverage whatever new sensors or capabilities are in the Pro 3 line, thus smoothing out the rollout of the ecosystem at large.
Expected Design & Hardware Upgrades
The hardware specs remain unconfirmed, but the speculation runs high. Coupled with reports of a slimmer charging case, akin to the AirPods 4 case redesign, are rumors about a redesigned ear canal interface that may promote a better fit and thus some aesthetic changes.
Under the hood, the H2 chip would be displaced by an H3 chip, which would be capable of faster processing and, among other things, improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), lower latencies, and better audio.
Health tracking capabilities are muttered-about too, ranging from heart-rate monitoring to temperature sensing through the ear canal. These would parallel the features introduced in Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, integrating Apple’s push into health metrics.
On the case, there may be less-obtrusive LED indicators or a capacitive pairing button. And while rumors of gesture-controlled interfaces, infrared cameras, and in-case touchscreens persist, analysts say that these will most likely have to wait for future generations rather than on the Pro 3.
Software Synergies & Feature Enhancements
Fine-tuned audio SDKs and firmware upgrades for AirPods dropped during iOS 26 might have bestowed some software-governed enhancements on these Pro 3. Rumored are:
- Ancillary tuning for the ANC and adaptive sound profiles.
- Live translation, using the translation APIs of iOS in the voice-to-voice mode.
- Sleep detection, auto-pause or head gesture controls, which can be used to dismiss alerts or can be used to advance tracks via nods.
- Studio-quality recording enhancements might be in store, as the rumors had insinuated with AirPods 4 and Pro 2 firmware updates in iOS 26.
That is why Apple ensures that when developing flagship hardware, it also develops companion software that helps improve said hardware. In fact, the greatest user-centric advantages are gained from the tight integration across the earbuds, OS-level APIs, and devices such as the Apple Watch or Vision Pro.
Market Positioning & Future Outlook
Apple’s AirPods Pro have been defined.
Wireless audio in the ultra-premium segment, and the Pro 3 intends to carry forward that legacy.
The sticker price of US$ $249 in 2022 shall presumably remain, although slight changes may occur due to inflation.
Analyst opinion goes Ming-Chi Kuo’s way in saying that camera run-time integration and advanced AI features would not come until 2026 or 2027, probably reserved for a Pro4 that is more of a continuation of the Pro3. This now makes the Pro3 a meaningful but incremental upgrade, concentrating on key audio, design, and health aspects.
With Apple eyeing health wearables down the line, the Pro3 could turn into a major step toward turning everyday earbuds into health and wellness devices, thus broadening the target from pure audio.
Conclusion
The “AirPods Pro 3” appearance within the iOS 26 code makes an unmistakable reference for an imminent fall 2025 launch. The slimmer design, new and improved audio chip, superior ANC of sorts, as well as health-tracking features, appear to give the Pro 3 yet another shot at the world’s premium-end earbud crown.
Features that might require some serious rethinking, like cameras or gesture control, probably remain for a generation or two down. In the meantime, though, what is likely to be launched is something polished and well-rounded that will sit closely aligned to the latest software, laying yet another stepping stone in Apple’s wearable strategy.
