Apple to Release AirPods Pro 3 This Year, With Significant Upgrade Planned for 2026
Apple is poised to launch the AirPods Pro 3 later in 2024, setting the stage for a more considerable advancement in its premium earbuds lineup slated for 2026.The updates come as Apple continues to refine its spatial audio ecosystem and explore new human-device interaction methods.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first indicated the two-stage upgrade plan, with the 2026 model representing a higher-end iteration rather than a wholly new product. This strategy mirrors Apple’s current approach with the AirPods 4, offering consumers choices at different price points.The forthcoming advancements aim to enhance the user experience with Apple’s Vision pro headset and future spatial computing devices.
Kuo detailed in a June 2024 blog post that the 2026 AirPods Pro will incorporate infrared (IR) cameras. These cameras are expected to work in tandem with Vision Pro, dynamically adjusting spatial audio based on the user’s head movements. “When a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing [these] new AirPods,if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction,the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience,” Kuo explained.
Beyond audio enhancements, the IR cameras are also anticipated to detect environmental changes and possibly enable new in-air gesture controls, improving overall human-device interaction. According to Chinese leaker Instant Digital, the 2026 model will be pricier than the 2024 AirPods Pro 3, and both versions will be sold concurrently. While details regarding the 2024 AirPods Pro 3 remain limited, the confirmed features for the 2026 model signal Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of wireless audio and spatial computing.
