The AirPods Pro 3 are slated to release later this year. Although Apple is enhancing the AirPods Pro 2 with new software updates, a hardware upgrade is anticipated soon. Expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 17, here are three exciting features we can’t wait to see.
New H3 Chip
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the AirPods Pro 3 will feature an all-new H3 chip.
While new chips from Apple occasionally deliver only slight enhancements, the H-series chips for AirPods have consistently seen significant upgrades. After the three-year lifespan of the H1 chip in AirPods Pro, the introduction of the H2 chip came with the Pro 2, and now we are set for another three-year gap before the H3 chip’s release.
Apple previously described the capabilities of the H2 chip at the AirPods Pro 2 launch:
The advanced H2 chip offers an outstanding acoustic experience, reducing noise by up to 2x compared to the original AirPods Pro. With a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, users can enjoy richer bass and clearer sound across a wider frequency range. The H2 chip also enables on-device processing for improved environmental noise minimization through Adaptive Transparency, filtering out sounds like sirens, construction noise, and loud music.
Given the past performance of the H2, we can expect the H3 to unlock a myriad of new features as well.
Personally, I hope for enhanced battery life.
Revamped AirPods Pro 3 Design
Gurman has also noted that the AirPods Pro 3 will feature a ‘new design.’
Unfortunately, details about this redesign are still limited.
Significant changes are not expected, given that the current design is well-received and has influenced the redesign of the AirPods 4.
However, minor adjustments to the stem length or ear fit may be on the table.
Enhanced Noise Cancellation Feature
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature was one of the standout qualities of the AirPods Pro 2 for me.
Reports suggest that Apple is planning on enhancing this feature in the upcoming model.
With the new H3 chip’s capabilities, the ANC in the AirPods Pro 3 is expected to be ‘significantly improved’ compared to current offerings.
Potential New Health Features
This is a wildcard prediction because certainty is lacking, but Gurman has hinted that several health features may be in development for future AirPods:
- Heart rate monitoring, akin to the Apple Watch
- Temperature sensing capabilities
- New sensors for a variety of physiological metrics
Gurman believes that heart rate monitoring could launch with the AirPods Pro 3. However, due to the usual precautions and regulatory needs tied to health-focused features, this could see some delays.
Recently, Apple introduced health functionalities in AirPods Pro 2 via iOS 18.1, but it appears more advancements are on the horizon.
Conclusion on AirPods Pro 3 Features
The AirPods Pro 2 stand out as one of Apple’s finest products, and the three-year wait before the next iteration only heightens anticipation for the AirPods Pro 3. I, for one, am fully satisfied with my AirPods Pro 2, but I have no doubt that the Pro 3 will be a must-have for me.
What features are you hoping to see in the AirPods Pro 3? Share your thoughts in the comments
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