Apple Can't Stop Hinting at AirPods Pro 3 Ahead of Rumored Launch
Apple's at it again with the AirPods Pro 3 breadcrumbs.
Newly released iOS 26 code discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser now references "AirPods Pro 3" alongside the current models, buried in a headphone UI framework. It's pretty clear Apple's preparing for something behind the scenes.
This isn't even the first hint we've gotten recently. Last month, Apple sneakily changed references to the second-generation AirPods Pro to "AirPods Pro 2 or later" – despite there being no "later" model available yet. Someone's getting a little ahead of themselves over in Cupertino.
The pattern suggests Apple's gearing up for a fall launch, which lines up perfectly with rumors pointing to a 2025 release. We're expecting a redesigned case (possibly slimmer like the AirPods 4), improved Active Noise Cancellation thanks to a faster audio chip, and some intriguing health features like heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing.
There's even talk of real-time translation capabilities, which would be pretty wild if Apple can pull it off seamlessly.
With all these hints piling up, it's looking more likely that AirPods Pro 3 will make their debut alongside the iPhone 17 series this September. Apple's certainly not being subtle about it anymore.
Popular Stories
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
