There are now just days until Apple's 2025 event, and we're expecting some big updates to some of Apple's most popular devices. But beyond the iPhone 17 and a new Apple TV, there could very well be some news for AirPods fans: The AirPods Pro 3 could well be announced alongside the latest iPhones and Apple Watches.
We've been waiting long enough — the AirPods Pro 2 were released in 2022, almost exactly 3 years ago — so the time is ripe for Apple to unveil their successors.
But what will that upgrade bring, and are we even certain that we're going to see them at the so-called "Awe-dropping" event? I've been tracking Apple launches since the AirPods Pro 2, and I've got some ideas as to what we're going to see.
Will we see the AirPods Pro 3 at the 2025 event?
I've shaken my magic eight ball, and the icosahedron inside has landed on "Signs Point To Yes." There's more to it than ancient '80s plastic mysticism as well, of course. Rumors, and most importantly, Mark Gurman have been gearing us up for an appearance of the AirPods Pro 3 at the Awe Dropping event.
On August 24, Gurman (via Bloomberg) reported that we "should also expect new AirPods Pro earbuds." Unless Apple is going to pull a blinder on us and call the new AirPods Pro the "Apple AirPods Pro 2.5," that sounds an awful lot like the AirPods Pro are on their way to the event.
Further hammering home that date are recent leaks of the AirPods design. The closer you get to launch, the more likely we are to see leaks — and the leaks are pouring in. Might want to get those pipes checked, Apple.
As for a retail release date, we'll have to wait for the AirPods Pro 3 to be revealed at the show. Usually, it's a few weeks or even months after the initial announcement — so bank on a similar date to the iPhone 17 models.
What are they going to look like?
Everything we know about the buds is based on rumors and leaks. One of the most recent was from Asher, on X. We're apparently looking at a similar case feature to the AirPods 4, which ditched a pairing button for a touch surface.
That felt cheap on the AirPods 4, so let's hope for something more premium with the AirPods Pro 3. After all, they're likely going to be more expensive.
There are also rumors that there could be a heart rate monitor in the buds, like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. We found the monitor in those buds hit or miss, so hopefully, some work has been done to iron out the kinks for the AirPods Pro 3.
Other rumors indicate that the AirPods Pro 3 could feature redesigned stems, improved touch controls, and... not much else. We'll have to wait for the show to see what the AirPods Pro 3 have in store for us.
What about the AirPods Max 2?
Alas, it's looking like we won't be seeing the AirPods Max 2 anytime soon, let alone during the Awe Dropping event.
While there were some rumors at the start of the year, Mark Gurman has since reported that the AirPods Max USB-C are both too popular with users and not popular enough with buyers to warrant spending lots of money on a new version yet.
That's a big shame, especially if you're waiting for something more hi-res than the AirPods Pro 3.
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