Apple Advances AirPods Advancement with Next-Generation H3 Chip
Apple is developing a new H3 chip and subsequent generations of AirPods, including the AirPods Pro and standard AirPods, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.The advancements signal continued investment in Apple’s popular wireless earbud line, potentially bringing enhanced processing power and new features to users.
This development arrives as Apple explores integrating more elegant technology into its AirPods, particularly health-focused sensors. The H3 chip is expected to debut in the next AirPods Pro, potentially enabling features related to infrared (IR) cameras. While a higher-end chip wasn’t previously anticipated for the “AirPods Pro 3,” the demands of new IR camera functionality may necessitate increased processing capabilities. Apple is also working on a new version of its entry-level AirPods, updating both the standard AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Gurman reports that Apple is considering adding health features to AirPods over time, including a temperature reader, though it’s currently unclear if these features will launch with the AirPods 5. The heart-rate monitor currently planned for the AirPods Pro 3 is not expected to be included in the next generation of standard AirPods. Current AirPods 4 models are available at record low prices of $89 and $119 for the Active Noise Cancellation version.
