Just weeks after releasing the AirPods Pro 3, Apple has shifted focus to developing an even newer version of its pro earbuds, complete with an upgraded H3 chip and potential camera integration, according to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman .
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple's silicon team is already working on the H3 chip, designed to deliver improved audio quality and reduced lag time. The new processor would represent a significant leap from the H2 chip currently powering both the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, which first debuted in 2022.
Future AirPods could get even more AI features
Apple is also developing the AirPods 5, which will update both the entry-level and mid-tier models, Gurman reports. While the heart-rate sensor introduced in AirPods Pro 3 likely won't trickle down to these models, Apple plans to add several health features over time, including temperature sensing capabilities.
The bigger focus, however, is transforming AirPods into AI-powered devices.
Apple is exploring embedding cameras in the earbuds, building on analyst Ming-Chi Kuo 's earlier prediction that at least one tiny infrared camera would arrive in 2026. These cameras could enable in-air gesture controls and deeper integration with the Vision Pro headset.
The camera-equipped version may launch as a higher-end AirPods Pro 3 variant rather than a full AirPods Pro 4 redesign, similar to how AirPods 4 currently offers two configurations. This approach would mirror Apple's strategy of releasing iterative hardware updates without changing model numbers, as it did when adding USB-C to AirPods Pro 2.
No specific timeline was provided for these developments, though previous reports suggested camera-equipped AirPods would debut in 2026. The H3 chip's arrival timeline also remains unclear, though it could potentially power the infrared camera features that require additional processing capabilities.
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple's silicon team is already working on the H3 chip, designed to deliver improved audio quality and reduced lag time. The new processor would represent a significant leap from the H2 chip currently powering both the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, which first debuted in 2022.
Future AirPods could get even more AI features
Apple is also developing the AirPods 5, which will update both the entry-level and mid-tier models, Gurman reports. While the heart-rate sensor introduced in AirPods Pro 3 likely won't trickle down to these models, Apple plans to add several health features over time, including temperature sensing capabilities.
The bigger focus, however, is transforming AirPods into AI-powered devices.
Apple is exploring embedding cameras in the earbuds, building on analyst Ming-Chi Kuo 's earlier prediction that at least one tiny infrared camera would arrive in 2026. These cameras could enable in-air gesture controls and deeper integration with the Vision Pro headset.
The camera-equipped version may launch as a higher-end AirPods Pro 3 variant rather than a full AirPods Pro 4 redesign, similar to how AirPods 4 currently offers two configurations. This approach would mirror Apple's strategy of releasing iterative hardware updates without changing model numbers, as it did when adding USB-C to AirPods Pro 2.
No specific timeline was provided for these developments, though previous reports suggested camera-equipped AirPods would debut in 2026. The H3 chip's arrival timeline also remains unclear, though it could potentially power the infrared camera features that require additional processing capabilities.
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