AirPods Pro 3 launch this year still seems likely, here’s why

We’re just a few months out from Apple’s big fall launch season, but last week we received news that one expected product may be absent: AirPods Pro 3. But things may not be so simple. Looking more closely at that report, alongside other rumors, makes me optimistic AirPods Pro 3 will still launch this year.

Ambiguous AirPods report leaves a lot open to interpretation

AirPods Pro 3 are one of my personal most anticipated upcoming Apple launches.

I use my AirPods Pro 2 many hours every single day, and love them. While I don’t have any major complaints, the prospect of new upgrades with AirPods Pro 3 nonetheless excites me.

For a long while now, AirPods Pro 3’s launch has been expected this fall.

So I was a bit shocked and disappointed to see Ming Chi-Kuo seemingly rebut that timeline last week.

However, revisiting Kuo’s post and the other rumors about AirPods Pro 3, I still think a launch this September is very possible.

Here are Kuo’s exact words:

AirPods may not see significant updates until 2026 (aligning with my earlier prediction that IR camera-equipped AirPods would enter mass production in 2026). A lighter version of the AirPods Max is expected to enter mass production in 2027.

I do think a natural reading of the paragraph implies that AirPods Pro 3 won’t arrive until next year. But looking more closely, three details give me pause:

1. He says “may not” which isn’t particularly definitive
2. The term “significant updates” leaves open the possibility of a hardware revamp, since “significant” is entirely subjective
3. Also, the word “Pro” is curiously absent, despite his tidbit on AirPods Max utilizing the proper brand name

Focusing on the details and Kuo’s ambiguity leaves plenty of reason to believe we could still see new AirPods Pro soon.

More support for AirPods Pro 3’s 2025 launch

Beyond Kuo’s hedging, there is a variety of other evidence that AirPods Pro 3 will launch this fall.

A recent Apple software release leaked code pointing to the new hardware’s arrival happening soon.

Mark Gurman has never indicated his original report of a 2025 launch is outdated, or that delays have happened.

Kosutami, another leaker, seemed to imply a launch this year too—though admittedly with a vague “soon” prediction.

Apple’s previous pattern of updating AirPods Pro every three years offers further support for a September launch. If the company can sell millions of new AirPods Pro 3 this fall after three years of pent-up demand, why would it wait another year?

Taken all together, and paired with Kuo’s seeming lack of certainty, these reasons provide ample evidence for an AirPods Pro 3 arrival this year.

Maybe Apple originally planned a 2025 release and something has changed. But I’m not yet convinced we’ll have to wait any longer than September for a launch.

When do you expect AirPods Pro 3 to launch? Let us know in the comments.

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