AirPods Pro 3 major upgrades just tipped by new Apple patent

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Apple's latest patents give us hints at what to expect

AirPods Pro 2 in hand
(Image credit: Future)

I use the AirPods Pro 2 as my headphones, and I can't imagine switching to anything else. Well, maybe the next AirPods Pro 3 model. If the latest Apple patent is to be believed, future AirPods will get some notable upgrades compared to the previous generation.

Apple has filed a new patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office that shows it could change the beloved touch controls and improve active noise canceling capabilities, one of the most significant selling points of its high-end earbuds.

Apple's latest patent

(Image credit: US Patent Office)

It looks like Apple will expand the functionality of the AirPods Pro 3 touch controls, with the patent suggesting the new buds will be controllable using vertical movements, such as up and down swipes to control volume.

Interestingly, the patent also suggests the controls won't be touch-capacitive in the traditional sense. You could still use your buds' touch controls while wearing gloves, which would be a nice improvement over the current AirPods Pro 2.

The new patent doesn't delve into any health-tracking features we've heard about for the AirPods Pro 3, but that doesn't mean those features aren't on the way. Previous reports have suggested Apple will include a biometric monitor and temperature sensor in its next earbuds, allowing them to perform similar functions to those of the best Apple Watches or any of the best fitness trackers.

There are also rumors of a new enhanced H3 chip that would allow the AirPods Pro 3 to be used to perform a built-in hearing test.

Either way, we can only hope that Apple's latest patents suggest that new earbuds will soon be released. While I don't need a new pair, I certainly wouldn't object to a new model with improvements and valuable new features.

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Dave LeClair
Dave LeClair
Senior News Editor

Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.