Your AirPods Pro have been feeling a little dated since their last significant update in 2022, but that’s about to change. Apple’s latest firmware quietly drops a major clue about what’s coming next. Tech researcher Aaron Perris discovered code updates that swap out references to “AirPods Pro 2nd Generation” with the broader “AirPods Pro 2 or later”—a not-so-subtle signal in Apple’s usually cryptic playbook. It’s a clear hint that lossless-ready AirPods are on the horizon.
If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your crusty first-gen AirPods Pro, your patience might finally pay off. The new buds are rumored to pack heart rate monitoring and temperature tracking, turning what used to be just earphones into legitimate health wearables. These aren’t just fancy gimmicks – they’re the kind of features that could justify dropping another $249 (or likely more) when they launch.
Caught in the middle of your workout with a dead Apple Watch? The AirPods Pro 3 might become your backup fitness tracker. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, “Future AirPods will boast new health features, including heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing,” suggesting Apple sees these health features as a major selling point rather than a footnote in the spec sheet.
The new earbuds will likely feature a slimmer design that spares your ears the feeling of having small TV remotes jammed in them all day. Apple’s also reportedly upgrading the noise cancellation, which means you might finally achieve that blissful state of not hearing your coworker’s aggressive keyboard typing or your neighbor’s questionable music taste.
While Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have been playing catch-up with impressive noise cancellation and sound quality improvements, neither has successfully integrated health monitoring features. This gives Apple a clear lane to differentiate in the premium earbud space, where feature parity has become the norm and price competition has intensified.
Tech specs are getting a boost with a rumored new H3 chip handling audio processing and connectivity. The charging case is also reportedly getting a meaningful upgrade with improved water resistance (finally IPX4 for both buds and case) and potentially a hidden status LED that won’t blind you during late-night charging sessions.
Apple is reportedly adding enhanced spatial audio and possibly on-device live translation, so you can finally understand what that street vendor in Barcelona is saying about your pronunciation.
For active users who’ve been waiting for earbuds that can replace multiple devices, these health-tracking features could be genuinely transformative. The ability to leave your watch at home while still tracking workouts represents actual innovation in a product category that hasn’t seen many meaningful advances lately.
If you’re wondering when to expect these in stores, September seems most likely, alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple loves a package deal, assuming your credit card hasn’t already filed for a restraining order against the company. A WWDC surprise in June isn’t impossible, but don’t hold your breath – Apple typically saves its hardware announcements for fall, when holiday shopping season looms like a credit card statement after Black Friday.
Apple’s shifting of production to India suggests they’re serious about maintaining supply, unlike those Vision Pro headsets that were harder to find than a tech CEO who admits to making a mistake. This manufacturing move points to Apple’s confidence in strong demand for the new earbuds.
The current AirPods Pro 2 remain solid performers, but with competitor earbuds catching up on features like noise cancellation and sound quality, Apple needs these health features to maintain its premium pricing. Your decision to wait might come down to how badly you need to know your heart rate without looking at your wrist – revolutionary or redundant, depending on your fitness obsession.
If the leaks prove accurate, the AirPods Pro 3 could become the most advanced earbuds on the market. But as with all Apple products, expect to pay a premium for the privilege of having the latest tech dangling from your ears. Your move, wallet.
