Apple is working on significantly improved AirPods – and they will be available in 2026

Apple only presented the AirPods Pro 3 last September, but is now also working on improved AirPods that will be released in 2026.

Apple is working on significantly improved AirPods

When the AirPods Pro 3 arrived last September, many people were surprised to find that they were still using the 2022 H2 chip. As a result, the AirPods Pro 3’s major upgrades include larger batteries and foam-injected earbuds. But Apple is already working on AirPods that will have a faster processor.

H3 chip

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says in his latest Power On Newsletter that Apple is working on an H3 chip for future AirPods:

With the AirPods Pro 3 out the door, Apple has already turned its development attention to another new version of its high-end in-ear buds. The company’s silicon group is working on an H3 chip designed for less lag time and better audio quality.

Now that the AirPods Pro 3 are on the market, Apple has already focused development on another new version of the high-end in-ear earbuds. The company’s silicon group is working on an H3 chip designed for lower latency and better sound quality.

Apple is expected to launch a version of AirPods Pro 3 with IR cameras sometime next year. It’s possible we’ll see the H3 chip there for the first time. It seems unlikely that AirPods Pro with IR will have a high-end chip and at the same time retain the name ‘AirPods Pro 3’.

AirPods 5

In addition to the H3 chip, Apple is also working on an improved version of the ‘regular’ AirPods. Apple launched the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation last year. According to Gurman, both models will receive an update, but he does not expect the heart rate monitor of the AirPods Pro 3 to be added. He does say that Apple plans to add more health features to the AirPods. Consider, for example, a temperature gauge. It is still unclear whether this will be added to the AirPods 5.

There is no known timeline yet for the launch of the new AirPods 5. In any case, it seems to be a fairly modest update compared to the current generation. But the new H3 chip may be used. Do you always want to stay informed of developments regarding the new AirPods? Then sign up for our newsletter!