AirPods Pro 3 Insights Revealed in iOS 26 Beta

AirPods Pro 3 is at the forefront of speculation following the release of Apple’s initial developer beta of iOS 26 shortly after the WWDC 2025 keynote. This update has reportedly unveiled references to the next-generation wireless earbuds, suggesting a potential release later this year.

Insights from the iOS 26 Beta

The unearthing of the term “AirPods Pro 3” was first highlighted by MacRumors, where contributor Steve Moser discovered it within a UI framework associated with headphones. This discovery also marks the second instance where Apple’s software hints at an imminent update to the AirPods Pro line. An earlier update had replaced mentions of “AirPods Pro 2nd Generation” with a more general term, “AirPods Pro 2 or later”, thus intensifying the anticipation.

Anticipation for a Launch with iPhone 17

Even though Apple has not officially confirmed any details regarding new AirPods hardware, these references align with the expectation that the company might introduce AirPods Pro 3 in conjunction with the iPhone 17 series, likely set for September. This follows the trend from 2022, when AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) were launched alongside the iPhone 14 lineup.

Expected Features and Enhancements

The upcoming model is anticipated to include minor hardware upgrades, such as an enhanced H2 chip that could provide improved active noise cancellation and extend battery life. However, significant design or feature alterations have not been validated through the code findings.

Future Predictions for AirPods

Despite these exciting new references, prior forecasts from analysts indicated that a substantial hardware refresh for AirPods may not occur until 2026. Reports suggest that Apple is working on a version featuring an infrared camera, aimed at expanding the functionality of its audio accessories by incorporating additional sensors.

Awaiting Official Announcement

As is customary for Apple, any official announcements regarding AirPods Pro 3 are expected to be kept confidential until the next major product launch event, anticipated in the autumn.