New AirPods 2025: Everything we know about the next AirPods Pro and Max
Description
Apple’s AirPods 2025 plans: In summary
- New AirPods Pro 3 expected at the September 2025 ‘Awe Dropping’ event
- AirPods Pro 3 and some older models may get live translation
- AirPods Max with new design, H2/H3 chip, and other features not due until 2026
Apple updated its standard AirPods with a major redesign and price cut in 2024, but it’s been quite a while since the other models were last updated: The AirPods Pro 2 arrived in September 2022, and the AirPods Max debuted in December 2020. So updates are long overdue.
Apple hasn’t completely ignored the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, but it hasn’t given users much of a reason to upgrade either. In September 2024, the AirPods Max got a minor update with USB-C instead of Lightning and a few new colors, while the AirPods Pro got its USB-C case a year prior. Other than some new features enabled via software, the current models are the same as the ones released years ago.
In this article, the Macworld team uses its expert knowledge of Apple and AirPods history to define the AirPods rumors most likely to be true. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the soon-to-launch AirPods Pro 3, including when they will come out, the expected preorder and sale date, design and features, as well as the rumors about the next AirPods Max update.
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Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
At a glance: What to expect from AirPods Pro 3
- Similar design
- Heart-rate and temperature sensors
- Updated charging case
- New features including Live Translation
AirPods Pro 3 design
Last year’s AirPods 4 update brought a streamlined design for Apple’s low-end earbuds, so it would be logical to assume a similar design update will be coming to the AirPods Pro. However, after long-standing rumors of a flush, “stemless” design like the Beats Studio Buds, the latest rumors claim the new AirPods Pro will look very much like the existing model with some minor refinements, such as a tighter eartips seal and new stem gestures.
In August, several reports claimed that the AirPods Pro 3 will be getting a charging case upgrade that brings it in line with the AirPods 4. The case will reportedly no longer have a visible pairing button but will have touch controls. It could also be slightly smaller.
AirPods Pro 3 features
While Apple has steadily added new features to AirPods Pro 2 over the past several years, they’re missing a few hardware features that were introduced with AirPods 4 and the Powerbeats Pro 2. Additionally, rumors suggest some new features may be coming to the 3rd-gen earbuds as well.
Heart-rate sensor
In February, Apple announced the Powerbeats Pro 2, which brought the H2 chip as well as an optical heart-rate sensor for continuously measuring heart rate during a workout and tracking throughout the day. The feature has been rumored for the AirPods Pro 3 as far back as December 2024, when Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on in-ear heart rate monitoring for the AirPods Pro 2. So it’s likely AirPods Pro 2 will have the same sensor as the Powerbeats Pro 2.
When we reviewed the Powerbeats Pro 2, we noted that battery drain was an issue when using the sensor during workouts, the sensor only tracks workouts with specific apps, and it automatically turns off when an Apple Watch is connected. We expect Apple will fix those issues when the feature arrives on AirPods Pro 3.
Temperature sensor
Apple debuted a temperature sensor on the Apple Watch Series 8, and rumors claim Apple will be bringing it to the AirPods Pro 3 next. While the Apple Watch tracks nightly skin temperature readings to track menstrual cycles and help give users insight into overall well-being, an in-ear tympanic temperature sensor could be able to take on-demand temperature readings.
H3 chip
Apple introduced its H2 audio chip with the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, and it’s likely the new model will have an H3 chip. That could enable better noise cancellation, improved audio quality, and better battery life, among other features.
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 have a built-in heart-rate sensor that could be coming to the AirPods Pro 3.
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IR cameras
In July 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple was developing AirPods with IR cameras for “in-air gesture control to enhance human-device interaction.” He reiterated the claim in May 2025, but reported it wouldn’t arrive until 2026, so it’s unclear if this is a feature for AirPods Pro 3 or a later mode.
Improved battery life
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer up to 8 hours of listening time when active noise cancellation is active, compared to 5-6 hours for the AirPods Pro 2. The new H3 chip possibly coupled with a larger battery, will reportedly bring longer battery life for the AirPods Pro 3.
Live translation
As part of the iOS 26 update, Apple is bringing live translation capabilities to the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps to automatically tranlsale spoken and written text in real-time. We first heard aout the feature when it was previously rumored to be coming to AirPods, so it’s notable that Apple left its earbuds off the list of compatible devices. Persistent rumors claim that live translation will be a marquee feature of the AirPods Pro 3. However, <a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/2895941/t
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