The AirPods Pro 3 are set to launch later this year. While Apple continues enhancing the AirPods Pro 2 with new software updates, a hardware upgrade is on the horizon. Expected to debut in September alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, here are three anticipated features of the AirPods Pro 3.
New H3 Chip
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the new AirPods Pro 3 will feature a cutting-edge H3 chip.
While some Apple chip updates yield minor enhancements—as seen with the M-series processors in Macs, A-series chips in iPhones, and S-class chips in watches—upgrades in the H-series for AirPods have historically been significant.
This is likely due to the substantial time gap between updates. The H1 chip lasted three years before the release of the H2 with AirPods Pro 2. Now another three years will have passed when the H3 chip is introduced.
Here’s how Apple articulated the H2’s features at the launch of AirPods Pro 2:
The advanced H2 chip delivers an outstanding acoustic experience, canceling up to twice as much noise compared to the previous AirPods Pro. With a new low-distortion audio driver and a dedicated amplifier, the AirPods Pro provide richer bass and crystal-clear audio across an expansive frequency range. Furthermore, the powerful H2 chip facilitates on-device processing, diminishing disruptive environmental sounds with Adaptive Transparency—such as sirens, construction sounds, or loud music at events.
The H2 chip has enabled multiple feature expansions in recent years, so it’s reasonable to expect that the H3 will also introduce a wealth of new capabilities upon its arrival.
My personal wish: enhanced battery longevity.
Revamped AirPods Pro 3 Design
According to Gurman, the AirPods Pro 3 will debut with a “new design.”
Currently, we don’t have specific details regarding the redesign.
While it’s unlikely that dramatic changes are in store, given that the AirPods Pro design has been well-received and has even influenced the aesthetics of AirPods 4, minor adjustments to the stem or ear fit could be possible.
Enhanced Noise Cancellation Feature
A standout feature of the AirPods Pro 2 for many users, including myself, is the superior Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function.
Apple reportedly plans to incorporate similar enhancements into the upcoming AirPods Pro model.
The ANC on AirPods Pro 3 is expected to be “significantly better” than its predecessor, thanks to the improved capabilities of the H3 chip.
Potential New Health Features
This section is somewhat speculative, but Gurman has mentioned that several health features are being developed for future AirPods releases:
- Heart rate monitoring, similar to features found in the Apple Watch
- Temperature detection
- Additional sensors for various physiological measurements
Out of these possibilities, Gurman suggests that heart rate monitoring is most likely to be included in the AirPods Pro 3 launch.
This aligns with the introduction of the feature in the recent Powerbeats Pro 2, which is notable as Apple owns Beats.
Following the introduction of its initial health features in AirPods Pro 2 with iOS 18.1, it appears that even more advancements are on the horizon.
Summarizing AirPods Pro 3 Features
With AirPods Pro 2 standing out as one of Apple’s premier products, the three-year wait for an update only heightens the excitement for the next iteration. Despite being satisfied with my AirPods Pro 2, I have no doubt that the AirPods Pro 3 will be a must-have for me.
What features are you eager to see in the AirPods Pro 3? Share your thoughts in the comments.
