The AirPods Pro 3 might still be brand new, but it looks like Apple is already hard at work devising even more wireless earbuds. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a new pair of Pro earbuds (maybe more AirPods Pro 3.5 than AirPods Pro 4) as well as updates to its non-Pro AirPods lineup.
Let’s start with intel on the Pro. According to Gurman, an upcoming pair of AirPods Pro will feature a new chip, the H3, which could bring benefits including lower latency and improved sound quality. That may not sound like a big deal, but the significance of the H3 addition will likely depend on the latter upgrade. As interesting as the AirPods Pro 3 are from an innovation standpoint, I’ve not seen too many rave reviews about the leap in sound quality from generation to generation. If Apple plans to successfully sell future generations of wireless earbuds, fidelity seems like an obvious area to target.
There’s the possibility, if the H2 chip upgrade from the AirPods Pro 2 is anything to go by, that the H3 will bring other upgrades, including battery life, active noise cancellation (ANC), and—probably the most interesting aspect—health features. In case you missed it: Apple threw a heart rate sensor into the mix with the AirPods Pro 3, signaling that making AirPods part-earbud and part-fitness wearable is a priority. Bloomberg’s report suggests that Apple’s push into health tracking is far from over, too, with temperature sensing potentially in the pipeline. If I had to guess, I’d say the H3 will play a significant role in what Apple brings to the table on that front, or at least in how accurate and granular its planned health features are.
It’s not all about AirPods Pro, though. Apple might also be working on the AirPods 5, an update to its non-Pro wireless line. There’s a lot less detail on what we can expect on that front, but Gurman suggests there’s one thing the fifth generation likely won’t have: health tracking. That’s not shocking (Apple has to convince you to pay the Pro premium somehow, right?), but I do have some questions about the next generation of regular AirPods. One thing I’m curious to see is whether Apple maintains the tip-less design. It feels to me like giving the AirPods 4 tips would be an easy way to provide some passive noise-cancellation and maybe sell non-Pro customers a better noise-cancelling experience without needing to tweak anything else.
If you’re reading all of this and wondering about the big, AirPods Max-shaped elephant in the room, then I’m right there with you. Apple’s only over-ear headphones, which haven’t been updated since a minor refresh in 2024 that added USB-C charging, are notably missing from Bloomberg’s report. Obviously, the fact that Gurman didn’t type the phrase “AirPods Max 2” into his article doesn’t mean such a product isn’t in the works, but the omission is somewhat deflating, if not entirely unsurprising.
The AirPods Max, which haven’t seen a new generation since 2020, are a tougher sell than wireless earbuds. For one, there’s the price: Apple’s AirPods Max still cost $550, which, last time I checked, is a lot of money for headphones, even if people are conditioned to the Apple premium. There’s also the issue of evolution. What exactly could a theoretical second-gen AirPods Max bring to the table? A new chip with better sound, maybe? Better battery and ANC? Those are all welcome, but perhaps not as flashy as the promise of health tracking in Apple’s wireless earbuds, and whether they would justify a 2 at the end of the AirPods Max name is debatable.
Either way, with five years in the rearview, AirPods Max are probably top of mind for anyone who eagerly awaits new Apple audio products, and it looks like we’ll have to keep on waiting. The good news is that a several-year stint between numbered AirPods Pro generations was worth the wait —so imagine what an even longer lapse could yield.