Apple’s iOS 26 update with its Liquid Glass design has had us temporarily distracted, but we’re back to wondering what else the company has in store for us this year. If you were hoping for a new pair of earphones to make an appearance, rumors suggested that the AirPods Pro 3 has been delayed to 2026. Earlier, trusted sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had led us to believe that the AirPods Pro 3’s release date was just “months away,” suggesting a late 2025 arrival could be possible, but more recent rumors are contradictory.
The more humble AirPods 4 was released in September 2024, along with a somewhat refreshed AirPods Max, but the AirPods Pro 2 came out in 2022 and has not been upgraded ever since. Fans were hoping the iPhone 17 lineup would be escorted by an AirPods Pro 3 update this September, but now it appears this might be unlikely.
The AirPods Pro 3 does not have a release date and it won’t for a while. (Image: AirPods Pro 2)
AirPods Pro 3 Delayed to 2026 According to Top Analysts
When we think of Apple, most people tend to think of the iPhone series, but the company’s AirPods have developed a persona of their own. Not only did the earbuds contribute to the sky-high popularity of earbuds, but it has also enjoyed a commendable track record of guaranteeing quality. The AirPods Pro 2 still works admirably and hasn’t grown to the point of feeling outdated just yet, but fans who want to buy a replacement like to know when the next product is set to arrive in order to plan their purchase accordingly.
In February, Gurman indicated that the AirPods Pro 3 update was on its way, with a few months of wait sufficient to see its arrival. Experts over at MacRumors also dug into the iOS 26 Beta 1 code and found references to the AirPods Pro 3, suggesting that it could be coming soon. These findings appeared to confirm rumors around the AirPods Pro 3 and suggested the new earbuds could arrive alongside the iPhone releases this year, but more recent reports say it is too soon to expect a release.
Analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong recently came forward to reassert that the AirPods Pro 3 had been delayed to 2026, confirming what Ming-Chi Kuo had alluded to in an earlier report. Kuo had previously indicated that the AirPods will not see any significant upgrades until 2026. While it wasn’t clear if he was talking about the base variant or the Pro variant, we expect neither will see an upgrade in the coming months. The AirPods 4 was just released last year, so it’s too soon to expect another release in the series, especially one that could offer any substantial upgrades.
What Can We Expect from The AirPods Pro 3 in 2026?
We might be a while away from the AirPods Pro 3 seeing a release date but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some leaks to keep us occupied. Apple is reportedly working on some advanced features for its Pro earbuds, and we’re not just talking about better mic quality or ANC. The AirPods Pro 3 is expected to showcase a heart monitor, similar to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Apple is leaning into health features being a primary selling point of its watches as well, so it’s no surprise that it would incorporate something similar into its earphones.
More interestingly, Apple is also said to be considering bringing out a camera integration into its AirPods Pro 3. It is as weird as it sounds. Apple, of course, has not confirmed the presence of these infrared cameras but it could open the door for some interesting AI integrations, operating similar to smart glasses. It could also present some interesting opportunities for accessibility features or the integration of more varied hand gesture controls, so we’re interested in seeing how this particular device turns out.
Expectations Are High with Regard to Apple’s Many Upcoming Releases
Apple has already released some new and improved additions to its product lineups in 2025 like the Macbook Air M4 and the iPad Air M3, but there are a number of products that are still expected to debut. It is still unclear if Apple is going to release a smart home hub this year or wait for a more developed version of it to take shape before launching it in the next few years.
Jeff Pu suggests the HomePad 6”, Apple Watch S11 series, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 are going to arrive in 2025. The AirPods Pro 3 and the Apple Watch S12 will likely arrive in 2026. The Apple Vision Pro, which slipped and lost its footing early at launch, has also been a point of curiosity. Some suggest the company is working on a cheaper variant before it gets back to improving on the next iteration of the spatial headset, but regardless of which comes out first, neither will make an appearance this year either. Pu estimates a 2026 release for the refreshed version.
Products like smart glasses and smart rings have been rumored, but these are certainly not going to be included as a part of its 2025 releases.
AI Siri Will Not Be Out Until 2026 Either
We also have to mention Apple’s progress on its AI-powered Siri. The updated assistant has been delayed to 2026, and even if it is released next year, we’re keeping our expectations low in preparation for a more limited skill set on release.
Apple hasn’t currently halted all work on AI as its iOS 26 release also had some applications for Apple Intelligence. After the company’s research team recently released its findings on some of the limitations of AI, we’re going to stop hounding the company for pushing advances in areas where there is currently limited room to truly gain ground.
The AirPods Pro 3 might be delayed, but a good product is better than a rushed one. There are a multitude of other products releasing in 2025, like the Xbox Rog Ally handheld, so we’ll keep the reviews coming until then.
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